No one has been more surprised than Jordan Giles to see him challenge for the title of Ozark’s most improved player.
“Before the season, I didn't think at all that I was going to start,” the first-year starting inside linebacker said.
It wasn’t until summer workouts were nearing their end that Giles began to take seriously his chances of significant playing time.
“At our joint practice with Kickapoo, I held my own and gained confidence," Giles said. “I said to myself, 'I can do this. I can compete at the same level as these other varsity guys.’
“There was a lot of competition in the (linebacker) room,” he added. “But I worked through it and here I am now.”
Entering Ozark's Class 6 District 5 semifinal at Nixa this week, Giles ranks third on Ozark in tackles and tops the team with five quarterback sacks, to go along with one TFL and one fumble recovery.
The 5-foot-11, 170-pound junior recorded seven tackles against Nixa in the Backyard Brawl.
His progress ranks as off the charts, according to coach Jeremy Cordell, who doubles as the Tigers' linebackers coach.
“Light years. Every week he has gotten better,” Cordell said. “Jordan works his tail off.”
“I've came so far,” Giles said. “I watched film from our jamboree and I wasn't making reads fast enough and wasn't making it downhill. Comparing myself then to now, I've made monumental jumps. It's been very rewarding.”
Giles is fresh from a strong performance in Ozark’s District win at Waynesville. He was one of Ozark’s few defenders who could bring down bruising running back Taumailele Ali. Giles even sent Ali backward with a jarring hit on one tackle.
“I hit him right on the shoulder with my head up, it was a perfect tackle,” Giles said. “He’s a really good running back and I like to think of myself as a big competitor. Whenever you make a good tackle, you feel it. Every time I hit him, it felt right.”
Giles also contributed to the Ozark win by coming over from the ‘Dark Side’ to play on offense as a lead blocker.
He was thrilled to be able to help Ozark notch its first playoff victory in three years by playing on both sides of the ball.
“It feels really good to be with my guys and be successful together,” Giles said. “With our regular season not going as planned, coming away with a playoff win is big for our team and big for our future. Our offense was moving and our defense made some big stops. This is a confidence boost for us."
