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During an up-and-down season for the Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz, Fred Shaw has almost always landed on the up side.
Shaw, a former Shawnee High School football standout, is having a banner 2009 campaign for the Arena Football League Yard Dawgz.
The Yard Dawgz, after winning their first four games of the season, went on a five-game losing streak. That skid was snapped last Saturday night in a 56-54 road victory against the Arkansas Twisters.
In his fourth year with the Yard Dawgz, Shaw has definitely been a quality constant.
Through 10 games, the well-built 200-pounder either leads or is near the top of a number of individual Yard Dawgz categories.
Primarily operating as a defensive back — but sometimes utilized as a linebacker — Shaw is the team interception leader with four. Five teammates have one interception apiece.
Shaw also leads the Yard Dawgz in fumble recoveries with three and is second in tackles with 51.5 and passes broken up with seven.
He has 43 solo tackles in 10 games.
“Fred is having one of those years where he’s one of our guys that you can count on anytime,” Yard Dawgz Media and Community Relations Director Jon Hocker said.
Following prosperous two-year college stints at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M and the University of Central Oklahoma, Shaw launched his Yard Dawg career in 2006.
His 2006 offensive statistics — 14 receptions for 134 yards, four touchdowns and a 9.6 yard-per-catch average — rivaled his 30 tackles, fourth-best on the team.
Shaw enjoyed his best AF2 offensive year in 2007 as he was on the receiving end of 31 passes for 291 yards (fifth-best on team) for a 24.2 yard average and two touchdowns. He also scored six rushing touchdowns and recorded 249 yards on 12 kickoff returns.
Employed primarily on the defensive end in 2008, Shaw notched two interceptions and registered 46 1/2 tackles, third-highest on the squad. He also caught five passes for 62 yards and had a 37-yard kickoff return.
“Physically, he’s one of the more athletic guys on the team — just a beast athletically,” Hocker said. “Mentally, he’s always where he is supposed to be. He has a lot of football smarts. Defensively, he is one of our key players, especially in the secondary.”