Hurley's Moore to play in all-star football game

HURLEY - With all the success the Hurley football program has had, it's hard to find many firsts.

But senior Jordan Moore (5-10, 265) will be the first Midget to play in the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association/Children's Hospital Small School All-Star Football Game at Titan Stadium in Oshkosh, Wis., on July 18 at 2 p.m.

"It's just a great honor to be representing Hurley," Moore said. "To be the first one to go and play is a great feeling."

Moore, a defensive and offensive tackle, will play for the North Division 4-7 team.

"It was well-earned," Hurley coach Scott Erickson said. "He's had a good career for us."

It may be the first game in some time that Moore won't be fighting a nagging shoulder injury. He had a torn labrum. He hurt it during his junior season, reinjured it in the off-season and then again in a pre-season scrimmage.

"Essentially he played a year and a half with a harness on," Erickson said. "That really limited his mobility. It wasn't a pleasant thing, putting it on everyday, but it allowed him to keep playing and he had the surgery done right after the season. He's coming along pretty well.

"He's a really dedicated kid. I'm really happy for him, and for all that he went through, to get something like this, this kind of recognition. Just proud of what he's accomplished and what he's turned into as a man. He's what you hope for."

It wasn't easy to play with the injury.

"It would cause my arm to dislocate," Moore said. "It was pretty tough, considering I had limited mobility in my arm. It was kind of hard to wrap up, so I made due with what I had. It would be whenever I started hitting, it would hurt really bad."

But not playing was a worse option.

"I love to play," Moore said. "It's fun. It's something I've done since Pop Warner. I just couldn't give it up."

Moore said all-star game coaches told him he would be playing defensive tackle, but he agreed to move to another position if need be.

"I'd prefer defense," he said. "I like to use my hands more."

Moore finished sixth on the team with 60 tackles (29 solo) as a senior. He was a two-time all-Great Western Conference selection at defensive tackle. In 2014, he was the GWC Defensive Lineman of the Year.

"Defensively, he was good at handling a guy and playing down the line of scrimmage," Erickson said. "He could slide really well down the line of scrimmage and make plays. He could get linemen off your linebackers and free them up as well."

Players are raising money for the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin. Moore has been going around town the last couple of weeks seeking donations.

Those wishing to donate may visit firstgiving.com and search for Jordan Moore. According to the site, he has raised $1,390 of a $7,500 target.