Dual threat quarterback and receiver, Jeffrey Lafford, is preparing for his senior season with the two time champion and CFC50 ranked, the Tantramar Titans, with his sights set on winning a third title.
Lafford joined the Titan’s squad in grade 9 with four years of gridiron experience, playing in the Sackville Minor Football Association, where he played quarterback, receiver, and spent some time at defensive back.
In his rookie season, coaches added him to the receiver corp, but also gauged his potential to play quarter back at the varsity level. Lafford worked hard in practice and the classroom all season, seeing action in only one game. His freshman year, Lafford took practice reps at quarterback, but played in multiple games as a receiver. Midway through the season Lafford started at wide receiver, a significant nod in a competitive program.
At the start of the 2016 season, the Titan’s had a hole to fill with the loss of fourth year quarterback Nevin Becker. Lafford took quality reps in his camp at the position and started the season as the Titan’s signal caller. The sophomore played the first two games, but missed the third game against Moncton High due to a back injury. Upon his return, Lafford played one more game at quarterback, and then was moved back to receiver.
The transition was smooth not only because of his previous experience at the position, but having been quarterback meant he was intimately aware of everyone’s routes and responsibilities.
Lafford has no preference between the two positions: “At QB I love controlling the play, but WR is fun. I love catching and hitting. Wherever the coaches put me I’ll be happy”.
His capacity for switching positions was put to the test at the start of the teams playoff run when his coaches switched him back to quarterback. Lafford felt nervous with the shuffle, especially at the integral moment of it being the playoffs, but stepped up and led the offence thru two tough playoff games and a nail biting final against the, also CFC50 ranked, Leo Hayes Lions.
Lafford isn’t sure where he will play in his senior season, but feels he will probably play a bit of both positions. Despite where he winds up, his goal and focus is to be ready to simply help his team win the hat trick of championships.
His off-season focus is to become stronger, faster and more technically sound. He typically lifts four days a week and spends another focusing on conditioning. Lafford increases his cardio training in the summer with independent reps, but also stays fit and sharp playing weekly pick up with present and past teammates. The weekly games allow him the chance to focus on his technique and the fundamentals of both positions.
As the New Brunswick season approaches one thing is for sure, every team in the Province is chomping at the bit to square off against the reigning champs. The Titans lost several fourth year players, including their “X factor” CFC 100 Aidan O’Neal. Despite the new roster, Lafford is confident in the potential of this years squad:
“It feels good going in, we lost a lot of key players, but we’ve got a lot of good players, in all grades, and some coming up. If we put the work in will have another successful year”
Lafford has no concrete plans for after high school, but is contemplating studying commerce or engineering. With commerce he would like to play for his hometown Mount Alison Mounties, but if engineering becomes his field of study he is considering Dalhousie or UNB Fredericton.
“Being a Titan means a lot, we’re a big tight family where everyone loves one another, I always wanted to be a Titan, so playing with them has been a great feeling.”
Jeffrey Lafford
QB/WR
5’10, 145lbs
Team(s): Sackville Minor Football Association, Tantramar Titans
Official Visits: none
Unofficial Visits: none
Consideration: UNB Fredericton, Dalhousie, Mt. Allison
Commitment: none
Class: 2018
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