Timeout with …

Published 12:01 am Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Opponents never know where Sam Shober will line up on the football field.

Although Shober’s location on the field constantly changes, his performance off the field is remarkably consistent. He has a 3.98 cumulative grade-point average, loves studying math and science, and has attracted interest from several Ivy League colleges.

Coach’s corner

A two-way All-Cascade Conference performer last season, Shober is clearly a talented athlete. But there’s more to him than that. The well-rounded senior “is respected by his teammates for his physical ability almost as much as he is admired for his intelligent, humorous, and humble leadership,” Archbishop Murphy coach Dave Ward said. “Sam is what every team wants in a senior captain, a talented role model that is more concerned about the success of his team than his personal glory.”

Team unity

Shober has played other sports, including basketball, lacrosse and track, but football is his favorite because of the camaraderie. “When you have 11 guys (on the field), you get really close with these guys on defense,” Shober said. “If you have one guy who’s not totally with you, you can’t have a good team.”

Leading the way

This season Shober has a bigger leadership role for Archbishop Murphy, which has a 4-0 record and is ranked No. 2 in the Tacoma News Tribune’s Class 2A poll. Being a leader is challenging, Shober said, but he is not alone. “It’s been a little harder this year because I can’t focus on just playing. I have to help lead the team,” said Shober. “But it’s great to have my other seniors because we all lead.”

Focused on ‘D’

Shober was one of many Archbishop Murphy players who started on both sides of the ball in 2010. The Wildcats’ lack of depth was exposed in their 2A championship game loss versus Tumwater, so this year Murphy coaches are having players specialize on either offense or defense in an attempt to stay fresh for another playoff run. As a result, Shober starts on defense but no longer starts at offensive tackle. “We’re going to try something different this year,” said Shober, “and see if it works.”

Corralling the Cougars

This Friday unbeaten Murphy plays a huge Cascade Conference game against the 10th-ranked Lakewood Cougars (4-0). Lakewood’s potent offense is averaging 49 points per game, including 55 points in a Week 3 win over Coupeville and 58 points in a Week 4 shutout triumph versus Granite Falls. Lakewood is “a pretty explosive team on offense so as a defense we have to be prepared,” Shober said. “They’ve got a good running game and a good passing game.”

Sports flicks

Shober loves movies about boxing, including “Cinderella Man” (2005) and “The Fighter” (2010), starring Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale. “Wahlberg’s character had a lot of troubles at home,” Shober said, “and he just overcomes it all. He’s just a really tough person and he never quits. It’s inspiring to watch movies like that.”

Making the grade

Intrigued by math and science, Shober is taking AP physics and AP chemistry classes this school year. “I like to push myself,” he said. “My parents pay a lot of money for me to come (to Archbishop Murphy) so I want to make the most of my time here, so I’m going to take the hardest classes I can.”

Mentoring kids

For two summers Shober volunteered at the Monroe YMCA day camp. He mentored lots of youngsters who are from single-parent families. “It’s been a really good experience for me,” said Shober, “because I hadn’t had a ton of experience with kids. It’s nice to have that opportunity and learn how to interact with them.”

Perfect pasta

Shober’s favorite home-cooked meal is his dad’s pasta. The tasty dish includes penne, pesto sauce, sausage and bell peppers. “He makes a ton of it,” Shober said, “and then I eat a lot of it.”

Rock on

The Foo Fighters, Kings of Leon and Weezer are three of Shober’s favorite bands. Shober’s top radio station is Seattle’s 107.7 The End.