Brannan Southerland made it back into the Georgia offensive lineup against Tennessee, and if you were paying attention, there were times when he and Shaun Chappas, both fullbacks, were on the field at the same time — obviously not at the same position, however.
With the proficiency of Chappas’ play during the time that Southerland was recuperating from a broken foot, the Bulldog offensive coaches were able to line Southerland up at tight end, a position where help is needed.
Southerland is an experienced and versatile senior with all-conference potential, but in his absence, Chappas acquitted himself admirably. Now the coaches are trying to find a spot for both of them.
“You are going to have some personnel losses in football,” said Tony Ball, Georgia’s running backs coach. “We always talk about somebody stepping forward in that situation. We got a premium effort from Shaun when we lost Brannan.”
Due diligence became ingrained in Chappas’ daily routine. A blue collar working man’s effort would be central to his approach. He knows the role of the fullback. Protect the quarterback. Block for the headliner ballcarriers.
Compatibility was easy to attain for the native of St. Johns County, Fla.. Chappas grew up on the St. John’s River with a St. Augustine address, but played football at Jacksonville’s Bolles Academy, where his team ran the Wing T. He was a wingback who excelled at blocking but often was called on when his team needed a big first down. He could catch the ball out of the backfield and had the speed to go all the way, as he did in the state championship game his senior year when Bolles won the Class AA title.
The Bulldogs pride themselves on underscoring team attitude, and Chappas fits comfortably in his role. He knows there will be limited opportunities for him to run the football. When a tailback, like Knowshon Moreno, slashes through the defense for first down yardage, it often results from a block initiated by the fullback.
Lately, Chappas has distinguished himself by catching passes out of the backfield, a role with which he was familiar.
“In high school,” Chappas says, “I was taught by coach Corky Rogers that the bigger the stage, the smaller the focus.” In other words, to win big games, it is often the little events, the unseen developments which make a difference in winning and losing.
“In football, you have to be unselfish if you want to contribute to the team. As long as we win, I don’t worry about my role. I enjoy doing what I am asked to do,” Chappas adds.
“Shaun took his game to another level against Tennessee,” Ball said. “He is getting better each week, and is doing what we need for the position. With experience, he is becoming more instinctive. He has a greater insight into the game.”
Chappas functions with a laid back attitude, which reflects his life growing up. He was twenty minutes from the beach; he could fish from the family dock on the river and drive into Jacksonville on Sunday to see the Jaguars play.
Even now, when he has the time, you may find him with an interesting book in his hand, like the most recent title, “Lone Survivor,” about the life of a Navy seal. Textbooks are a priority with him, at the moment, however, as he has just been admitted to the Terry College of Business.
Having been redshirted, Chappas is ahead of schedule in regard to a degree. He will have graduated by the spring of 2010 with a season of football remaining.
After that? “Well,” he says, “I’d like to see what might be available with the National Football League, but if that doesn’t work out, I’ll have a degree and will go to work.”
Attitude makes a difference, and attitude has as much to do with Shaun Chappas’ contribution to Georgia’s offense as blocks, pass receptions and yards gained.
Local Sports
Loran Smith column: Chappas steps up for Bulldogs
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