Former Wolf Gabe Shaw hoists a trophy in Florida. (Photos courtesy Gabe Shaw, Sr.)
The line celebrates together.
He’s not a Wolf anymore, but he’s still a winner.
Gabe Shaw, who will be a senior at Clay High School in Florida this fall, kicked off his final season of prep football in style.
The standout lineman and his teammates stared down players from 15 other area schools to win the Clay/Duval Big Man Challenge, hosted by the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The National Football League franchise brought together the schools to give them a chance to face-off with rivals they might not play during the season.
Skills position players competed in 7 vs 7 games, while the linemen went toe-to-toe (and muscle to muscle) in strength events.
There was a medicine ball throw, weighted carry, a low sled push relay, and a tug of war.
Clay, a 5A school, went 9-2 last season, falling in its third playoff game.
The Blue Devils opened the postseason with 43-0 and 35-0 wins over Leesburg and Atlantic (Port Orange), respectively, before coming up on the short end of the stick 38-7 to Vanguard.
Shaw spent his first season in the Sunshine state pulling double duty, working as an offensive tackle and defensive end.
During his days in Coupeville, the two-way starter played football and basketball.
As a sophomore, Shaw was a crucial part of the first Wolf gridiron squad to post a winning record since 2005.
