(Ponca, NE) – The Hebrew origin of the name Jared defines the moniker as being “Down to Earth”. Individuals who are down to earth are generally referred to as not pretentious or affected, or someone who is not overly ornate but straightforward. Jared Curry is one of the most celebrated athletic stars in Siouxland and remains simply, down to earth.

To understand the young man, you must first recognize the accomplishments. Curry, who recently signed a National Letter of Intent to continue his football career at Wayne State College, led his team to a Class C2 State Championship this past fall. The Omaha World Herald and Lincoln Journal Star both named Curry Captain of their Class C2 All-State Teams. He was named All-State and All-District following both his junior and senior seasons as well as being named All Lewis and Clark Conference in basketball the past two seasons. Not only has he excelled on the gridiron and the basketball court he is a state champion high jumper clearing 6’7” to claim the Class C title and shatter the school record in that event. He will leave Ponca High School as the school’s career rushing leader with 4,421 yards. As a senior he crushed the school’s single game rushing record by tallying 317 yards on a mind boggling 10 carries. His 5 touchdowns are an afterthought when presented with the fact that he accomplished this all in one half of football. Head Coach Joe Kvidera saw this one coming. “I had the privilege of coaching Jared's older brothers and they were both very good athletes so I knew Jared when he was still pretty young. As a staff we knew that Jared was going to be a very talented athlete when he was in junior high. At that age you could tell that his athletic skills were very good and even then he was pretty motivated to excel.”

Coach Kvidera speaks of Jared’s athletic accomplishments but his most glowing sentiments come when talking about Jared the person. “Jared is polite and quite young man and a very good student.” Determined is another adjective that Kvidera sprinkles in at every turn when describing Curry. “He is just a relentless competitor. He is driven to be the absolute best and that pushes him to continually raise his level of play and intensity. That has often motivated his teammates to raise their level of play as well.”

Kvidera was at the helm of a Ponca football team that captured their first Class C2 State Championship last fall. In a tight game throughout the Indians defense stiffened in overtime holding Hartington Cedar Catholic on a two-point conversion attempt giving Ponca a 14-13 victory and a perfect season at 13-0. Curry was at the forefront that cold November afternoon gaining 90 yards on 25 carries including the winning touchdown. It was one singular play that may forever be etched in Coach Kvidera’s mind when he ponders Curry’s tremendous career. “He had a lot of memorable plays in his career but the catch he made in the state championship game was huge.” On fourth and seven with time running out in regulation Quarterback Andrew Watchorn dropped back and connected with Curry on a 32-yard pass setting up the tying score. It would be Curry’s only reception of the game and preserved the perfect season.

For Curry, like many other kids, the success didn’t come easy or early for that matter. While the Ponca Coaches identified Curry as a future star while he was in junior high he didn’t find his way onto the field right away. “When Jared was a freshman he was a pretty darn good football player. He could have probably started at RB or LB for a lot of teams we saw that season.” But Coach Kvidera had a talented program with several upper classmen ahead of Jared. Curry would not make an impact on the field until his junior year and as noted earlier, it didn’t take long for him to make a splash. “He became the primary running back his junior year and really started to carry the majority of the offensive load that season. He just got progressively better each year.” While Curry matured and developed so did his skills as a ball carrier. “Jared just got progressively better. His vision of the field improved and by his senior year he had become a patient ball carrier, watching and waiting for the holes to develop.” For Curry the effort spent in the off season also helped in his development. “He is a powerful runner and that is a direct result of his work in the weight room. He became a runner that was very hard to bring down and often punished those who tried to tackle him.” His commitment to the weights rubbed off on his teammates and Coach Kvidera credits Curry as one of the team leaders in that respect.

An athlete such as Jared only comes along once in a generation. His storied career will forever live on in Ponca High School lore. For Kvidera he will think simply of one word when he reflects on Curry’s career. That word is “Champion.” “I watched him win the Class C High Jump at the Nebraska State Meet and how he led that team to a State Championship last fall, he was simply a champion.” Kvidera elaborates, “I will also remember what a great kid he was to coach. He did everything the coaches asked of him and he absolutely worked his tail off.”

Legendary basketball coach John Wooden once said, “Talent is God given. Be humble. Fame is man-given. Be grateful. Conceit is self-given. Be careful.” Jared Curry, as the origin of his name states, has remained down to earth and humble. He certainly is among the most talented athletes to not only come out of Ponca High School, but to compete in Siouxland the past few years. He has remained humble despite the success and Coach Kvidera uses such words as “polite” and “quiet” when describing his star. But the best compliment a Coach can pay an athlete was handed down by Kvidera when he said, “He is a great role model for the young kids of Ponca.” Enough said.