Long injects a positive attitude into Sierra Vista program

Nick Christensen

Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2004 | 10:35 a.m.

SUNSET REGION

Northwest Division

Southwest Division

Chances are that if a wild horse ever happened to stray onto the fields at Desert Pines High School, someone would call animal control to deal with the problem.

But 30 miles away in the small town of Blue Diamond, a horse in the school's field is nothing big. Every once in a while, it even draws an audience.

That's where Jeff Long found himself not too long ago, as the whole town turned out to watch a foal being born at the elementary school.

And it's that kind of attitude that prompted Long's family to bring him out of the harsh urban realities at Desert Pines and into the village of 280 people nestled at the edge of the cliffs at Red Rock.

The move didn't come without challenges. Long's day begins at 5:30 a.m., when he begins his 14-mile trip to Sierra Vista, a high school in the Rhodes Ranch area that also draws from the rural southwestern part of Clark County. After school, practice, stretching and weight training, Long doesn't get home until about 12 hours after he left.

One of the top defensive players in the city in 2003, Long finds himself at a new school, in a new home, and with a new role in the Mountain Lions' system. In fact, Long has just about every role.

As a strong safety, he brags about how he likes to hit people. As a running back, he attracted the attention of a Utah State coach at a camp in Logan, Utah, this summer who suggested he spend more time on offense. And as a kicker, Long handles the team's kickoffs and field goals.

"He brought an attitude to our defense," Desert Pines coach Leon Evans said. "He was so aggressive; he was a hitter. He was physical."

It's that physicality that Long loves about the game, and what makes him a good all-around player. As a strong safety in a game in 2002, Long intercepted a pass -- and was sold on playing on both sides of the ball.

"I picked the ball off against Vegas, and I almost ran back a touchdown," he said. "Ever since, I've played both defense and offense."

Last week against Chaparral, Long ran for 40 yards and one touchdown on nine carries. Last season, he was a fullback in the Jaguars' run to the state semifinals.

Sierra Vista doesn't have the successful track record that Desert Pines does, and that was something that Long was wary of when he made the move.

"When I was coming out here at first, coach pointed out Garrett Chapel was also an all-city pick," Long said. "I got here, and there's so much sun; it's in the middle of the desert. It's more lackadaisical because of the heat."

Mountain Lions coach Ben Johnson said Long's presence and experience with Desert Pines has helped his team.

"He brings a good attitude coming from a winning program," Johnson said. "He brings a real strong attitude of work ethic and wanting to win."

Johnson said he was surprised by Long's abilities.

"I didn't know the kid until he came over here," he said. "He proved to be a real good running back. The more time I spend with him, I see him doing these things. He's a very good athlete."

A former soccer player, Long has also assumed special teams duties. He said he has kicked a 35-yard field goal in practice, and does punt returns, too.

"I didn't know he was such a good kicker until we got into practice," Johnson said. "He returned two punts for 20 yards each. I don't want him to burn out."

But Long isn't worried about burning out; instead he's thinking about college plans. He could be presented with a choice of schools recruiting him for the various aspects of his game.

Long said there's a clear pick for what he'd like to do in college.

"Defense," he said. "I definitely like making the hits."