Knowing this is his final season, Jared Stephen is cherishing every moment on the Catasauqua football team. He also truly is grateful for merely having the opportunity to start on the Roughies' defensive line this fall and is making the most of it.

Last season, Stephen was the team's sixth offensive lineman and filled in along the way when needed. Defensively, he played on the program's JV squad.

When the slate cleared and some players graduated from last year's team, Stephen realized he had his opportunity. So far, it looms as one he won't soon forget as he is the team's fourth leading tackler with five solo stops and 29 assists for 34 tackles through seven games. He also had one sack and one fumble recovery during the period.

"Overall, this has been fantastic," beamed Stephen. "I'm just glad to be able to contribute to something like this. It has been really fun and exciting every week.

"It was such a great feeling when I found out that I would be starting on the defensive line this fall. I worked very hard with weights and with running during the spring and summer because I knew this was my final shot."

Stephen also relished his team's latest win over Pen Argyl, who has been the Roughies' prime target since the district championship loss last year.

"That has to be my most memorable moment," stressed Stephen. "It was our revenge game and we all had it circled for a while. We're all a close family and we all shed tears of joy over that win.

"We're a tight unit and share and support everything and everybody." Head coach Tom Falzone also has been pleased with his choice.

"Jared (Stephen) has really played hard all season for us," said Falzone of his 6-0, 178-pound lineman. "He knew he would start this season defensively, but he has also gotten some reps on offense when we have had some people go down.

"We know he has worked really hard and deserved a spot. (Stephen) has been a great help defensively for us. He is not a big guy, but he's always sticking his body in there."

Ironically with his success, Stephen is a relative newcomer to football and track, his spring sport. He moved to Catasauqua area while in the sixth grade, when he began playing organized football. Stephen credited Mike Sziy, his youth coach, for helping him make a smooth transition.

"I would also be playing football, but not on a team," recalled Stephen. "I always wanted to try it and when I moved here, I made some friends who were in the program. It really wasn't a big adjustment for me and Coach Sziy made it really easy." Stephen made a later transition when he joined the track team as a freshman. Last season, he finished fifth overall in the league meet in he javelin throw.

"I throw the shot and discus, but I have really worked on the javelin," added Stephen. "I'm really looking forward to the spring to increase my distance."

Stephen has entertained the thought of attending a community college next fall and he is still undecided about a major.

"I did think about studying physical therapy, but I'm not sure," he said. "But I'm going to look into a couple of different programs and I will decide upon a route to take." Until he does, Stephen is enjoying himself on the football field and also as a sales associate at a local Party City, a position in which he began working on the weekends since March.

"Right now, it is a busy time at work," noted Stephen, referring to the upcoming Halloween celebrations. "It's hectic, but it has been fun in everything I have been doing."

And Stephen has been enjoying and savoring every moment.