By Josh Troy
Clarksdale Advocate
Jeffery Fisher, a 2019 Coahoma County Jr/Sr. High School graduate, has been playing football since age 5 and is now heading into his senior season as a defensive back for North Park University in Chicago, Ill.
Fisher, originally from Harvey, Ill., always had a desire to play basketball. He was on the 2018 Coahoma County High School Class 2A Mississippi High School Activities Association State Championship team.
However, football was where Fisher excelled the most. He began playing football for the Harvey Colts in Harvey, Ill., and was able to continue his career all the way through college.
Fisher attended Thornton Township High School in Harvey, Ill., as a freshman and sophomore before transferring to Coahoma County Jr/Sr. High School.
Fisher made the move to Coahoma County to be near family members, including his cousin Derrick Moore Jr. Fisher and Moore Jr. were teammates on the Red Panthers’ football and basketball teams.
Fisher credited Moore Jr. with helping prepare him to play college football.
“Going up against my cousin, Derrick Moore Jr., has taught me a lot since we’ve always had the mentality that iron sharpens iron,” Fisher said.
Fisher is going into his fifth season of college football. He did not lose a year of eligibility during the COVID pandemic and has been able to play an extra season.
Fisher played for MacMurray College in Jacksonville, Ill., during his freshman year, but after it closed, he transferred to North Park University.
Fisher is a team captain for the North Park Vikings. As a defensive back, he has made 100-plus tackles throughout his career and caused seven pass breakups. He has also made key plays to put his team in a position to win.
“When I was playing against Carthage College, I made a fourth-down stop to get the ball back and put the offense in a winning position against the rival team,” he said.
High school and college football have their differences.
“The high school game is significantly faster,” Fisher said. “You need to play and learn a lot faster because you’re facing a tougher scheme, in my opinion.”
Going into his final season playing college football, Fisher said his goal is for the Vikings to win the CCIW conference and earn All-CCIW honors.
Fisher is majoring in special education with a minor in sports management. He plans to come back to Coahoma County after college to teach and coach in the Coahoma County School District. His ultimate goal is to play football in the XFL or internationally.
