While growing up in California, Alan McKeefry loved the game of football while wearing the jersey number of his childhood favorite player as proof. “I’m a big Green Bay Packers fan and Brett Farve was my hero as a kid,” said the Spiro Bulldogs senior. “So I chose the number-4 jersey and have stayed with it. ”

After the Covid-19 pandemic wiped out his junior year of football while playing for the Shadow Hills Knights at Indio High School in California, McKeefry and his family moved to Oklahoma to get back in the game. “We moved to Spiro for a lot of reasons including the opportunity to play in an offense that prepares you for the next level,” explained the Bulldogs starting quarterback. “I’d watched Coach (Brett) Davis’ teams when he coached in California and knew about his #44shoot offense.”

The move has paid dividends for the Spiro Bulldogs opening this season with three wins as McKeefry completed 67-of-99 passes for 818 yards including a 465-yard performance in week two. Still yet, the 6-4, 188-pound senior knows it’s more than just statistics that make a difference as he follows a personal creed to succeed. “Be the thermostat in the room, not the thermometer,” admits McKeefry. “It is important to me because it reminds me to set the tempo in the room or on the field. Be the guy bringing everyone up, don’t just go along with everyone else. This is a must have trait that will separate you in life.”

Altogether, the Bulldogs field general has earned McKeefry high grades from his coach. “Alan has the tools to be a great quarterback including a strong arm,” said Brett Davis, “but he became a true quarterback against Muldrow by showing his ability to manage the game.”

Asked to define himself, on and off the field, McKeefry didn’t hesitate. “Disciplined, confident, and unsatisfied are three words I’d choose,” McKeefry replied. “Confidence for me is most important because you have to be confident in not only football but in life. It is much harder to succeed in anything if you are always doubting your natural ability.”

As the Bulldogs continue working on perfecting their game plan with dreams of a season to remember in 2021, Alan McKeefry, whose favorite morning wakeup call is the smell of bacon cooking on the stove, also wants to prove that character counts. “In football and in every day life, nobody is going to be perfect but you should strive for that every day whether people are around to see it or not. Like my dad always says… if you keep working hard things will eventually work out.”