ST. GEORGE — While many Blue Ridge football players join the Barons solely for their final two years of high school, senior Cory Shorts has been in their starting lineup since his sophomore season.
“Him being a third-year is a tremendous asset because he knows the school well, he’s a very positive person, and he brings a lot of people up,” Blue Ridge outside linebackers coach Craig Blandford said.
In both 2023 and 2024, Shorts led the Barons in sacks and hurries, with him tallying 12 sacks and 33 hurries in his junior season. He earned second-team All-State honors as a sophomore, then a first-team selection the next year.
Shorts grew up in Northern Virginia with significant athletic influence from both his parents, with his father playing a large role in his path to the gridiron.
“Giving the legacy that he gave me, he taught me football at a very young age,” Shorts said.
He was immediately attracted to the sport when he started playing.
“Right when I touched the football, I just fell in love with it,” Shorts said. “It was a true love feeling. And, being able to be a part of the team and be a part of a culture is something very special to me. And, when I was a little kid, scoring a touchdown or getting a big play — it was the biggest thing. It would be my highlight of the week.”
As he continued progressing, Shorts wanted to further his development and communicated with private schools about playing football. He talked to Blue Ridge coaches and eventually visited the campus, which provided him with a positive impression.
“When I came here, the culture was something that I’ve never, ever felt before,” Shorts said. “When I came here on my visit, I felt so welcome.”
Along with the impact of the general program, Blandford and former Blue Ridge head coach Clint Alexander had a major part in guiding Shorts to St. George.
“Coach Alexander brought me here. He got me recruited here. Ever since I met Coach Alexander, me and him had a special bond,” Shorts said. “Coach Blandford has helped me since the day I got here. He’s been like a second father to me. He’s helped me with school. He’s helped me on the field [in] ways that are unimaginable.”
Since Shorts arrived at Blue Ridge, he has impressed people with his speed and ability to swiftly react.
“He’s electrifying. He’s explosive off the ball. Everything he does on the field is fast,” Barons head coach Jahlil Puryear said. “He’s quick — quick off the ball, quick off the snap. So, he’ll be in the backfield and have the quarterback in his lap within a second of the snap.”
Along with physical attributes, Shorts also displays mental acuity when he plays.
“He’s got a really good intuition for the ball, for the play, what’s going on, what the guy’s going to do in front of him,” Blandford said.
Blue Ridge has had great success in Shorts’ time with the program, reaching the state championship game in his first season and winning it the next year.
The fate of the 2024 state title game largely loomed over a North Cross two-point conversion attempt with about two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. The Barons ultimately kept their 14-12 lead after denying the Raiders’ option play from crossing the goal line.
“The biggest thing that stuck out in that game was the last play. We worked so hard on that play. We worked on it all week,” Shorts said. “We didn’t stop at the finish line. We finished.”
As a senior, he has adapted to the team’s needs, switching from outside to inside linebacker. He has continued making an impact in his new position.
“Although he played edge and I guess defensive end for the majority of his career at Blue Ridge, moving him back there — it didn’t really change much for him,” Puryear said. “He’s still able to affect the game in a way that he needs to and wants to, and the way the team needs him to.”
Shorts has also joined the offense as a running back, and ran for 67 yards and a touchdown in the Barons’ first game in 2025.
“When you have athletes such as Cory Shorts, for me, you have to get him on the field and give him the ball,” Puryear said.
Shorts has embraced the opportunity of being a two-way player.
“I love playing offense,” Shorts said. “That feeling of scoring touchdowns and helping my team on both sides of the ball is really good.”
His versatility also provides a quality example to teammates who may be asked of more responsibilities later on.
“Cory succeeding on both sides of the ball, I do believe, opens up the eyes of some other kids, because when you have the opportunity given to you, it’s just you taking it,” Puryear said. “And that’s what Cory did. An opportunity was given to him and he took it.”
Chris Gionta
cgionta@dailyprogress.com
@Chris_Gionta on X
C’ville Varsity
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