The biggest indicator of how much Shakee Shaw has improved isn’t necessarily what he’s done, but what he hasn’t done.

Warren Central’s senior cornerback only has one interception in the last five games, after picking off four passes in the first seven. For a cornerback, getting an interception is a game highlight but not getting them means he’s doing an even better job because opposing quarterbacks aren’t testing him.

It’s also a sign that Shaw, in his second year as a starter, has become an A-list defender for a team chasing its first state championship in 22 years.

“He had a really good year last year, but this year he’s taken it to the next level. He’s had good games against good wideouts. He can cover, but he’s also a good tackler. He is a complete player,” Warren Central head coach Josh Morgan said. “He doesn’t get enough credit. He has just been a constant for us. He’s been a playmaker and a great young man to coach.”

Shaw moved into the starting lineup about halfway through the 2015 season, and had a lot put on his shoulders this year. He was one of only four returning starters on a defense that had ranked among the best in Class 6A the past few years but was also in rebuilding mode.

Shaw stepped up early in the season, shutting down top receivers from Oak Grove and Pearl in the Vikings’ first two games. He had seven tackles and two interceptions in a win over Vicksburg the following week, and another interception against Natchez in Week 4.

He’s only had one pick since then — a leaping grab at the goal line against Madison Central that saved a touchdown — as quarterbacks and offensive coordinators have become leery of throwing his way.

“They don’t try me as much as they did last year. Last year I was new to it. But now it’s like I’ve been playing it all my life,” said Shaw, whose real name is Alexander but he goes be Shakee (pronounced “Shockey”).

As Shaw — as well as Demarcus Jones on the other side — has emerged as a shutdown corner, Morgan said it’s helped the rest of Warren Central’s defense. Having those two to take opposing receivers out of the game allows the Vikings to focus on the run and make opponents more one-dimensional.
Jones has three interceptions this season.

“It allows us to put more in the box and come after the quarterback more,” Morgan said. “You have enough confidence in them to create those calls and make those schemes. It allows you to be sound in a certain part of the field. You understand this side is going to be all right. He, and DeMo at the other corner, we’ve been blessed to have those two.”

Shaw admitted that playing an entire game with only a few passes thrown his way can get a little boring, so he’s found other ways to make an impact. He’s started returning kicks in recent weeks, and stepped up his efforts on run defense.

Playing on special teams is fun, he said. His first kickoff return, in the regular-season finale against Callaway, went for 50 yards.

“That’s been real fun. I’ve been wanting to do that for a long time. So when he first put me back there, I had all my energy and it was go time,” Shaw said with a laugh.

The second hobby, getting nasty and making tackles against opposing running backs, is what Shaw said he really enjoys about the game. Shaw had 11 tackles in last week’s 28-23 win over South Panola in the first round of the playoffs. He also blocked a field goal.

“Whenever they don’t throw my way, I try my best to make my own play,” Shaw said. “South Panola was my best game. Even though I didn’t have any interceptions or anything, I feel like I was able to produce for the team. I had a blocked field goal and didn’t miss any tackles.”

Shaw should have a chance to make plays in both run and pass defense this week. The Vikings (10-2) take on Clinton (11-1) and dual-threat, five-star quarterback Cam Akers in a second-round playoff game Friday at 7 p.m. at Viking Stadium.

When the teams played in the regular season, Warren Central won 50-32 but Akers had 419 yards of total offense — 283 passing and 136 rushing — and accounted for two touchdowns.

Warren Central made stopping Akers look relatively easy in that game, despite the gaudy final stats. The defense forced three turnovers while building a 30-3 lead at halftime. Shaw said a similar approach — not necessarily in the game, but throughout the week — is what it would take to come out on top again.

“I wouldn’t say it was easy. It was just us staying focused and everyone doing our jobs right,” Shaw said. “We just have to go into the game the same way we did last time. We have to stay focused throughout practice and play hard.”