Cy Fair Sun - Sports
Navjar makes big plays for Oak
 |
| Klein Oak senior tight end Jordan Najvar (18) runs for extra yards in the second quarter of the Panthers' 49-21 win over Cy Creek in the second round of the playoffs last Saturday at the Berry Center. |
By Michael Sudhalter
He could be catching passes in the open field catching passes or blocking opponents for his team’s powerful running attack.
Either way, Klein Oak senior tight end Jordan Navjar is accustomed to creating matchup problems for opponents.
He did just that in a 49-21 win over Cy Creek in the second round of the playoffs last Saturday at the Berry Center, finishing with seven receptions for 112 yards and a 37-yard touchdown catch.
Klein Oak defeated the Cougars (8-2), the District 15 champion, for the second time this season. Navjar had a season-high 140 receiving yards in the first meeting, a 38-29 Panthers victory on Sept. 6
“I knew I could outrun their cornerback, and (Panthers quarterback) Andy Wilson put it on the spot,” Navjar said. “This means so much to me. I’ve played with all of these guys since little league. There’s so much talent on this team. To come up short of what are expectations are is unacceptable.”
“Hopefully on Dec. 20, we’re in that state title game (at Reliant Stadium).”
The Panthers (9-1) will take the next step in that quest when they face Dallas Lake Highlands (10-2), the District 9 champion, in the Class 5A Division II Regional Semifinals at 3 p.m. Saturday at Round Rock ISD Stadium.
Navjar, who has 43 receptions for 623 yards and three touchdowns, will play an important role in the game.
“He’s one of the best tight ends around in the country,” Klein Oak coach David Smith said. “He’s a super down-field blocker. I’ve never had anyone that can get on someone and stay on them.”
“(Against Cy Creek), he was breaking tackles and gaining yards, and it was fun for all of us.”
Klein Oak, the District 13 co-champion, will face Cy Ridge (8-2) or Copperas Cove (11-1) in the next round if they beat Dallas Lake Highlands.
The 6-foot-6, 240-pound Navjar has a bright future on and off the field. He was one of two area players chosen to play in the ESPN-Under Armour All-American Game on Jan. 4 in Orlando, Fla.
“I knew it was perfect, and I wanted to play with those elite players,” Navjar said.
The other local player chosen for the All-American game is Cy Ridge senior quarterback Russell Shepard, who’s widely considered the best high school football player in the nation.
Navjar has already committed to Stanford where Cardinal head coach Jim Harbaugh, a former NFL Pro Bowl quarterback, is in the process of rebuilding the program. He plans on studying business at the Palo Alto, Calif. school.
“(You have) Coach Harbaugh, a young coaching staff and it’s the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen,” Navjar said. “The academics you can’t beat and they gave me the option to play receiver or tight end. I’ll play wherever the team needs me, I’ve played both.”
Navjar said the Panthers were able to successfully regroup after a 14-7 upset loss on Oct. 17 to Klein Collins, which finished 6-3 but didn’t make the playoffs.
“That was a big shock right there,” Navjar said. “They beat us fair and square, but after that, we knew we didn’t want to feel that feeling again. The biggest challenge is just clicking as a whole, and knowing that we have to be on the top of our game every game.”
“(You have) Coach Jim Harbaugh, a young coaching staff and it’s the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen.The academics you can’t beat and they gave me the option to play receiver or tight end. I’ll play wherever the team needs me, I’ve played both.”
Klein Oak senior tight end Jordan Navjar on his decision to play college football next fall at Stanford.
Either way, Klein Oak senior tight end Jordan Navjar is accustomed to creating matchup problems for opponents.
He did just that in a 49-21 win over Cy Creek in the second round of the playoffs last Saturday at the Berry Center, finishing with seven receptions for 112 yards and a 37-yard touchdown catch.
Klein Oak defeated the Cougars (8-2), the District 15 champion, for the second time this season. Navjar had a season-high 140 receiving yards in the first meeting, a 38-29 Panthers victory on Sept. 6
“I knew I could outrun their cornerback, and (Panthers quarterback) Andy Wilson put it on the spot,” Navjar said. “This means so much to me. I’ve played with all of these guys since little league. There’s so much talent on this team. To come up short of what are expectations are is unacceptable.”
“Hopefully on Dec. 20, we’re in that state title game (at Reliant Stadium).”
The Panthers (9-1) will take the next step in that quest when they face Dallas Lake Highlands (10-2), the District 9 champion, in the Class 5A Division II Regional Semifinals at 3 p.m. Saturday at Round Rock ISD Stadium.
Navjar, who has 43 receptions for 623 yards and three touchdowns, will play an important role in the game.
“He’s one of the best tight ends around in the country,” Klein Oak coach David Smith said. “He’s a super down-field blocker. I’ve never had anyone that can get on someone and stay on them.”
“(Against Cy Creek), he was breaking tackles and gaining yards, and it was fun for all of us.”
Klein Oak, the District 13 co-champion, will face Cy Ridge (8-2) or Copperas Cove (11-1) in the next round if they beat Dallas Lake Highlands.
The 6-foot-6, 240-pound Navjar has a bright future on and off the field. He was one of two area players chosen to play in the ESPN-Under Armour All-American Game on Jan. 4 in Orlando, Fla.
“I knew it was perfect, and I wanted to play with those elite players,” Navjar said.
The other local player chosen for the All-American game is Cy Ridge senior quarterback Russell Shepard, who’s widely considered the best high school football player in the nation.
Navjar has already committed to Stanford where Cardinal head coach Jim Harbaugh, a former NFL Pro Bowl quarterback, is in the process of rebuilding the program. He plans on studying business at the Palo Alto, Calif. school.
“(You have) Coach Harbaugh, a young coaching staff and it’s the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen,” Navjar said. “The academics you can’t beat and they gave me the option to play receiver or tight end. I’ll play wherever the team needs me, I’ve played both.”
Navjar said the Panthers were able to successfully regroup after a 14-7 upset loss on Oct. 17 to Klein Collins, which finished 6-3 but didn’t make the playoffs.
“That was a big shock right there,” Navjar said. “They beat us fair and square, but after that, we knew we didn’t want to feel that feeling again. The biggest challenge is just clicking as a whole, and knowing that we have to be on the top of our game every game.”
“(You have) Coach Jim Harbaugh, a young coaching staff and it’s the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen.The academics you can’t beat and they gave me the option to play receiver or tight end. I’ll play wherever the team needs me, I’ve played both.”
Klein Oak senior tight end Jordan Navjar on his decision to play college football next fall at Stanford.
Copyright © 2009 - Houston Community Newspapers Online