Jordan Foley has played a variety of positions for the Shady Side Academy football team.

That works out well for Indians coach Dave Havern, who needs someone that can do just that.

Foley, a junior from Meridian, spent last season as a cornerback and played the final six games of the year at quarterback.

This season, he's still at corner and was leading the team in tackles with 70 entering last weekend's game against Burrell.

On offense, Foley has moved to running back, where he is sharing carries with senior Terrel Andrews and sophomore Vince Miller.

"He's real versatile," said Havern. "He does a lot of things real well. He's not the biggest guy or the fastest guy or the strongest guy, but he has excellent instincts. He works hard and does what he's told.

"What I respect is he's played a lot of different positions and that can get to a guy. He brings a lot to the table," Havern added.

If that weren't enough, Foley, 17, also is the team's long snapper.

"He's a real special teams guy, a punt cover guy. Any task you give him, he'll get the job done," Havern added.

The 5-foot-9, 160-pound Foley said he enjoys playing cornerback the most. A hip injury during the summer slowed him to the point the he didn't play on the offensive side until recently, but Foley still shines on defense.

"I love playing defense, making tackles, blitzing," said Foley. "We're sort of rebuilding, so (Havern) said he needed me at other positions."

Last year, Foley didn't get as much time on defense after emerging as the Indians' quarterback. This year, he's helped to take control on that side of the ball.

"I didn't think I'd lead the team in tackles," said Foley. "We've implemented blitzes to get me free, and I've been stepping it up all year defensively."

"He's kind of has a defensive mentality," said Havern. "He likes contact - If he were any bigger, he'd be illegal."

Foley injured his hip during an American Legion baseball game. Playing second base, he went after a fly ball and landed on his hip.

Foley finished the game, but he discovered later that he had a muscle tear, which forced him to miss six weeks.

Havern then played Foley on defense before Foley was worked back into the offense.

"Jordan will not play quarterback at the next level," said Havern. "He won't play running back at the next level or wide receiver at the next level, but he will be a good defensive player.

"His overall skills are strong enough that he can get by. A guy like Jordan can shine and play different spots, and that'll help him get to the next level," he added.

Foley, who carries a 3.9 grade point average, is eyeing the Naval Academy as his college of choice and knows it most will likely be for academics.

"The nice thing about Shady Side Academy is it's not Quad A," said Havern. "Jordan does real well in school, he gets good grades and he's a leader on and off the field. I'm glad he's there."

And Foley is glad to be there as well.

"(Havern) calls me his utility guy," said Foley. "If he tells me I could play guard, I'd do anything for the team."