DAVIDSON FOOTBALL 2007

Starting Free Safety - Senior #2 - Zach Long

            It had finally arrived, after fourteen consecutive football seasons, my career had come down to the last eleven games. The time had past too quickly and all I wanted to do was leave the game I love with no regrets and a feeling of accomplishment. My three previous seasons for the Davidson Wildcats were a never ending roller-coaster that went from a torn ACL, to receiving All-American honors, and finally back to the sideline with nerve damage in my left shoulder. Obviously not the way I envisioned my college football career playing out but I knew one thing....I was going to give everything I had to make my Senior football season the most memorable one yet.

Tackle for Loss v. Morehead St

WILDATS BEAT DRAKE!!!

              The 2007 Davidson Football season had its high and low points like most season do, but there was something different about my last year of college ball. It was the first time as a member of the Cats that our team had the confidence and swagger to go out and beat any team in the country. Our Offense led by QB Ryan Alexander (broke school passing record for passing), WR's Beaux Jones (son of NFL star Bert Jones with almost as good hands as mine) and Ryan Hubbard (broke school receiving record, not to mention a 40+ inch vertical) were as good as they get and more than most defenses could handle on any given day. The O-Line gave up less then 3 sacks all season...yes all season, RG Zach Jacob and LT George Zoeckler were monsters in the middle and deserve as much credit as anyone for the successful season.
                The Defense was not made up of physical specimens by any means but they were some of the most football smart, hard-working and HARD hitting SOBs you could get on one field. Born leaders like CB Pat FitzGerald (a Pittsburgh prick that could do it all- cover, hit, return punts....anything), OLB Bud Crawford (a Marist High School product who worked harder in the weight room and had more passion for the game then anyone I've seen) and DB Jeff Scott (PLAY MAKER......enough said) made our defense a force to be reckoned with.

CATS v. VALPO

7TH CAREER INT   

DON'T COME OVER THE MIDDLE

                                      


                                       THE 2007 DAVIDSON FOOTBALL HIGHLIGHTS

                                       
                  The Highlight of the season came on week 8 when the Drake Bulldogs ventured into Richardson Stadium to battle the Cats. I'm sure they were confident coming into the game since the previous two years they had beaten us 58-17 and 35-15. Drake came into the game with the NCAA's active leading rusher, Scott Phaydavong, and all the confidence in the world. The Cat's Defense responded to the challenge by allowing 37 yards rushing from the NCAA leader and putting a choke hold on the Drake-O. Bud Crawford recorded a beastly 3 sacks, Matt Mikrut had the game ending interception, I added an INT (which made 6 for my career) and a decapitation of the Drake tight end when he caught a pass over the middle. It was, all in all, a remarkable effort and the best our D had played as a unit in my four years. We won the game 24-21.

Left Pic:  (J Scott, Me, Coach Clendanial, Mikrut, Fitz) Top Right Pic: (Dad, Me, Uncle Joel & Jason) Bottom Right Pic: (Captains - Cats @ Wingate)

2007 DAVIDSON WILDCATS -- SENIORS

           I never thought the day would come, but after 15 football season, my career finally came to an end. It was a sad day for my self and my family who had loved watching me play year in and year out. My final game was against Valparaiso at Richardson Stadium on November 10th 2007. Before every play I reminded myself it was my last game to ensure I left it all on the field. We came out victorious as we trounced Valpo, 44-6 in a great last game for myself and the rest of the Seniors. I was able to do my two favorite things about college football during my last game...I picked off a QB with a diving INT over the middle (pic above) for my 7th career interception and added another decapitation to my list when late in the game a WR tried to run a slant into my zone. The paper the next day said something to this effect,"the stadium shook as Zach Long delivered a bone crushing hit to a Valpo Wide Receiver." It was a great way to go....

THE 5 ROOMMATES - MCGREEVY, BIG ZACH, BUD, DUANE (IN SLACKS) & ME 

            I was never the biggest, fastest, strongest and I'm sure there were players that were better prepared. But I believe what separated me from  next guy was my passion for the game, my hunger for winning and my loyalty to my teammates. Your heart can take you a long way if your fully invested....I know my heart took me farther than most thought a 5'9, White Running Back from Connecticut could go.