Shawn Moorefield Jr. returns from injury, makes immediate impact for Gateway

By: Michael Love
Sunday, September 21, 2025 | 11:01 AM

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Shawn Moorefield Jr. was determined to get back on the football field as quickly as possible.

The Gateway senior was dealt a serious setback in February when he suffered a torn Achilles tendon during a club 7-on-7 game.

“I worked hard to get back,” he said.

Moorefield had surgery in early March, and his rehab progression had him running again in four months. Now, he is healthy and helping lead the Gators to what they hope is a return to the WPIAL playoffs in Class 5A.

“I was doing physical therapy and also worked with a trainer from Next Level Athletics who helped me get back,” he said.

“A lot of people were surprised that I came back as quickly as I did, considering the severity of the injury, but I was ready to put the work in. I was in good condition when the scrimmage and first games came, I was just waiting to get cleared. I felt good and ready to go.”

Moorefield missed the first two games of the season — losses to Class 6A powers State College and North Allegheny — but he was cleared a couple days before Gateway’s game with Plum on Sept. 5 at Antimarino Stadium.

He caught eight passes in that game for 161 yards and a touchdown. The Gators, however, lost to the Mustangs, 23-14.

“It felt good to get that first hit and know I was OK,” Moorefield said.

“I love football so much, and it felt great to be back. To experience contact like that again or make a person miss on a tackle, it was a blessing.”

Despite the 0-3 start, Gateway was able to rebound and get in the win column Sept. 12 against Kiski Area.

Moorefield contributed eight catches for 83 yards and a touchdown in the 34-31 win over the Cavaliers to open Big East play. He also scored on a 1-yard run.

“We know we have a lot of talent on this team, so we knew we had to piece together a lot of the little things,” he said.

“We still have a ways to go to be where we want to be, but I liked how we played against Kiski Area. It just came down to determination. We weren’t going to lose that game, and we fought to the end of the game. It was a big morale boost. It’s carried over to this week.”

Gateway was set to host Franklin Regional last Friday in a conference clash that was to conclude past the deadline for this week’s edition.

Moorefield said it was tough for he and his Gators teammates to come so close to making the playoffs last year. Gateway finished 2-4 in Big East Conference play, tied for fourth with Latrobe and Kiski Area, and concluded the season 3-7 overall.

The Gators lost three conference games by two points or less. They were at the mercy of the WPIAL playoff committee, which determined the wild card spots. Gateway was in that mix, but was not selected for a postseason berth.

“It really stung, and it left a chip on my shoulder and I’m pretty sure everyone else’s shoulders, too,” said Moorefield who finished last season with 52 catches for 701 yards and four touchdowns and earned all-conference first-team honors.

“We felt we could’ve done more. This year, we have a goal to get into the playoffs, and the opportunity is there.”

Moorefield said he appreciates the opportunity to be a stable presence in the passing game for the Gators’ group of young quarterbacks.

Junior Elvis “Dino” Koutsakis returned as the starter, but he missed the games with Plum and Kiski because of injury. Junior Jakson Smith started against Plum, and freshman Mayson Mitchell also played against the Mustangs.

Mitchell got the call against Kiski, and he completed 26 of 40 passes for 257 yards and three touchdowns against two interceptions.

“There is a great team bond, and when I came back, I wanted to let them know that I was there for them and they could count on me,” Moorefield said.

“The receivers, everybody, needed them, too. We were able to click back in and go right to work.”

Juniors Jayden Stammer and Kacy Carter are among those helping Moorefield pack a pass-catching punch.

“We have a strong receiver group,” Moorefield said.

“Any one of us can make a catch and take it to the house. We have so much confidence. We push each other in practice, and we go against some of our toughest (defensive backs).”

Gators receivers coach Mal Claybourne said Moorefield’s focus and drive is a huge plus for a team hoping to make an impact over the final half of the regular season.

“A lot of people don’t have the will and determination to come back so quickly after a severe injury like his,” Claybourne said.

“I am very proud of how far he has come and what he has done the past couple of weeks. He is healthy and very focused right now. He’s provided a spark. The sky’s the limit for him the rest of the season, and I know he’s going to do big things.”

Michael Love is a TribLive reporter covering sports in the Alle-Kiski Valley and the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh. A Clearfield native and a graduate of Westminster (Pa.), he joined the Trib in 2002 after spending five years at the Clearfield Progress. He can be reached at mlove@triblive.com.

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