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04/30/2015 12:01 AMFrom scoring the game-tying touchdown to earn a state title in football to playing in three state finals in basketball and now excelling in track, Warriors’ athlete Chris Jean-Pierre has put together an exceptional career that is unquestionably one to remember.
Chris’s senior season at Valley began with a big switch in the sport that he wants to play in college. Chris, who was an All-State selection at wide receiver as a junior, changed positions to become the Warriors’ quarterback. The perspective and knowledge Chris had gained from his prior positions certainly benefited him as Valley’s signal caller. And of course, his natural athleticism and ability to run were a big plus as plays were often designed for Chris to take off with the ball—something he did with great success.
“It was a fun experience. I gained a lot of experience and was able to win as a first-year player at QB,” says Chris. “The plays, the reads, the techniques—most of that was new to me, but I was blessed with great coaches and great players not only in football, but basketball and track, as well.”
Chris manned the quarterback position under the tutelage of Warriors’ Head Coach Tim King, offensive coordinator Kevin Woods, assistant offensive coordinator and former Valley QB Anthony Pagano, plus quarterbacks coach Steve Woods. Coach King says that some of Chris’s biggest strengths as the field general were reading defenses, finding the progressions, knowing when to run when no one was open, and learning his receivers’ passing routes.
“As our QB, we knew he could run the ball, secure the ball, and pick up the reads and scramble in bad situations to really get out of a hole,” says King. “He progressed perfectly and did a great job. Steve Woods worked with our QBs and Kevin Woods put him in packages to get the most out of him.”
Chris finished his full season under center with 1,203 passing yards and 20 touchdowns with just two interceptions to go with 1,256 yards and 19 scores on the ground.
Chris’s biggest rushing touchdown came on Valley’s final offensive play of the season in the Class S Large Division state championship game. Trailing by six late in the fourth quarter and facing 4th-and-goal from the 4-yard-line, Chris ran it in off a QB sweep for the game-tying TD before Jared Roche booted the go-ahead extra point with 22 seconds left. It was a sequence that will forever live in Warriors’ athletic history as it capped off a 13-point, fourth quarter comeback and resulted in the Valley/Old Lyme’s first football state crown. Chris contributed to all three of Valley’s touchdowns in the victory.
“We knew that he wanted the ball on the last play of the game to win and we didn’t question it,” Coach King adds. “He’s a clutch player, a gamer, and when it’s game time, you know you can count on him.”
Chris not only celebrated on the field with his teammates after they dethroned Ansonia, but also when the championship banner was unveiled when his Valley boys’ basketball squad hosted Morgan in the Class S State Tournament.
“That was really cool to see that banner that night. We knew everyone wanted to get that ring and we were relieved to get one,” says Chris, who was a captain for both football and hoops. “I was ecstatic when we won the title—the first time in school history, first with Coach King—and it was nice to achieve this for the people in the area. The play to win the game was a total team effort.”
Chris also contributed to Valley’s all-time campaign in other areas as he was a solid defensive back who made 89 tackles and recovered four fumbles to go with taking back two punt returns for touchdowns. One of his best defensive moments came when he grabbed a one-handed interception in the Warriors’ blowout of North Branford.
“I remember it was North Branford and, in the fourth quarter, their quarterback rolled out to the right and was looking down where I was at,” Chris says. “I read their quarterback well, knowing how a quarterback progresses down the reads, and was able to pick off the pass, which was my first interception of the season and it was a sick one-hand grab.”
When the dust finally settled for Chris’s senior season on the gridiron, he was named the Warriors’ Offensive Player of the Year and co-Most Valuable Player with Justin Cheverier, in addition to garnering All-Pequot and First Team All-State accolades, plus a slot on Connecticut’s Walter Camp All-Stars Team.
“It was a great season and I’m going to miss my coaches,” says Chris. “They were all like fathers to me, helping me out from my freshman year to senior year guiding me in the right direction and pushing me to do my best in everything I did.”
Chris came into his final basketball season hot and wound up helping that team go on a wild ride that featured 22 victories, the Shoreline Conference championship, and a third straight appearance in a state final. The shooting guard finished up the year averaging 14.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 2.1 steals per game. Chris, who finished his career with 1,205 points, made First Team All-Shoreline and All-State and was Valley’s co-MVP with fellow senior captain David Bradbury.
“We had a crazy run and we did well this year. Winning the first time around and losing the next two made me understand how it is when you’re on top of the world and the pain of losing. Knowing those feelings are things that I’ll carry out throughout my life,” says Chris, who helped Valley win the Class M crown in his sophomore year. “I just do my thing. I worked hard and got the best help from my coaches and built my relationships with them and my friends to make me a better person.”
Kevin Woods, who was Chris’s head coach in basketball, was inspired and sometimes in awe of his captain’s talents on both the gridiron and basketball court.
“Chris has had one heck of an athletic career. He’s done some things that are unimaginable to get us to where we are now and I’ve been lucky to have him play for us,” says Woods. “He always brought a level of intensity to each practice and his maturity and leadership really grew stronger and stronger every year. I love the kid. He brings so much to the table and you can’t replace that talent. I’d say in the state of Connecticut that he’s a first-class player.”
After lettering in all four seasons for football and basketball, Chris is now focused on another sport he’s done each year at Valley in outdoor track. Chris isn’t done chasing awards just yet as he has a chance to run for a state title with Valley’s 4x100 relay.
“We have a very good chance to win the Shorelines and make a great impression in the states,” says Chris, who also does the 100-meter dash and long jump.
Following his graduation from Valley, Chris gets to play for Coach King one last time. That’s because King, Chris, and Cheverier are on the Nutmeg squad in the Connecticut High School Coaches Association Super 100 All-Star Game on June 27 at Rentschler Field in East Hartford. King feels that Chris is one of the best athletes he’s ever seen come through the ranks at Valley.
“Just hearing that now, that’s crazy, but I feel very special and honored to hear that from Coach King,” says Chris.
But even after he’s done playing in the All-Star Game, Chris will still have more chances to compete at Rentschler Field as he’s attending the University of Connecticut as a walk-on this fall to play defensive back for the Huskies. Chris loved playing offense at Valley, yet will be happy to turn his attention toward the defensive side of the ball in college. He plans to major in sports management and minor in business.
“All of them are fun to me. Playing on offense sounds fun in college, but I’m going to play where the team wants me and I can’t wait to play,” says Chris.
Chris will still have to wait a few more months before he heads to Storrs, but will surely use that time to reflect upon the plethora of positive memories he’s made and friendships he’s formed as a premier student-athlete at Valley Regional.
“I’m thankful for the relationships I have built with my friends from a young age and kept them,” says Chris. “I’m happy with the teachers and coaches who’ve helped me from freshman to senior year. All of them have taught me so much and I’m humble for it.”