Enterprise tailback Shermaine Vaughn had an exceptional gameagainst Edinburg last Friday night. While only playing in the firsthalf, Vaughn rushed the football nine times for 134 yards,including an eight-yard touchdown.

Enterprise tailback Shermaine Vaughn had an exceptional gameagainst Edinburg last Friday night. While only playing in the firsthalf, Vaughn rushed the football nine times for 134 yards,including an eight-yard touchdown. He intercepted a pass andreturned it for a 54-yard TD and also returned a punt 52 yards fora touchdown and a kickoff 59 yards for a TD.

For his accomplishments, Vaughn has been named The DailyLeader’s Offensive Player of the Week for the seventh week of the2000 season.

“It means a lot to me,” said Vaughn. “It means I am gettingbetter every game. I wouldn’t have got it if it wasn’t for my teamleading me on.”

Vaughn, a 6-foot-1, 195-pound junior, runs the 40 in 4.5. In theweight room, he bench presses 280 pounds and squats 320 pounds.

“He is well deserving of this award,” said Enterprise head coachRicky Deere. “Shermaine is getting better each week. He’sphysically strong. He punishes the defender tackling him.”

Vaughn appreciates his coach and what he has taught him.

“He (Deere) has taught me the fundamentals of football,” saidVaughn. “He teaches me what I need to do; tells me to cut more andnot run over everybody. He’s a good coach. I love him just like hewas one of my brothers.”

For all of his success against Edinburg, Vaughn extended creditto his linemen.

“I’d like to give thanks to my linemen,” Vaughn stated. Helisted Rufus Allen, split end; Kody Burns, tight end; Kevin Harris,right tackle; Justin Bales, center; Scott Johnston, left guard;Stuart Britt, right guard and Dale Holmes, left tackle.

“We played pretty well,” explained Vaughn of the Edinburg win.”We didn’t fumble. We had fewer penalties. Everybody blocked realwell.”

Vaughn said he played very well in the game.

“I had a pretty good game,” said Vaughn. “I ran for a touchdown.I picked off a pass for a touchdown, returned a punt for atouchdown and returned a kickoff for a touchdown. If it wasn’t formy teammates, I wouldn’t have made them.”

Vaughn talked about the pass interception. “The (Edinburg)runner (ran out to the flat. Pierre Harthorne tried to catch it. Itcame off his hands and I intercepted it and ran with it.”

Asked about the punt and kickoff returns for scores, Vaughnthanked his team for their blocking that made it possible for himto score. “My teammates blocked real good.”

Vaughn’s favorite play is the West Right 44. “My lead blocker,Brent Boyd, looks for the four hole. Our quarterback Justin Kyzarhands the ball to me and I follow the lead blocker.”

Vaughn said the win really helped the team. “It will make us abetter; a little bit better for the rest of the season.”

Another reason for the Jackets success last week was due todefensive coach Scott Leggett, according to Vaughn. “Coach Leggettis a good defensive coach,” stressed Vaughn. “I like his style ofdefense. We run a multiple type of defense.”

Vaughn, who usually plays outside linebacker, was limited tojust offense for one half last Friday.

This Friday, Enterprise entertains Division 7-1A rival WestLincoln for homecoming. “We are working on our running game. Wewill try to pass a little. We’ll cut down on the turnovers.”

In an early non-division game against West Lincoln, the Jacketsbeat west Lincoln 41-0.

Enterprise (4-2, 0-1) has a chance at making the state playoffsif the Jackets can win their remaining division games with WestLincoln, Salem and Dexter.

“We are trying to make it to the playoffs,” said Vaughn. “Wehave to win our next three division games. I think we can hang withall of them.”

In the classroom, Vaughn’s favorite subject is English.

Next month Vaughn will be returning to the hardwood courts toplay for the Jacket basketball team. He played center last seasonand finished with a 13 ppg. average and a game-high 20 rebounds inone game.

Virginia Tech is Vaughn’s favorite college football team. In theNFL, he likes Marshall Faulk who plays for the St. Louis Rams. “Ilike his running style.”

In his spare time, Vaughn likes to hang out with his friends,lift weights and talk on the phone.

Vaughn said he definitely wants to go to college. He hasn’tdecided on a major but would like to play either football orbasketball on the college level. He loves both sports.