On Friday, Feb. 7, 2020, Council Rock South seniors Jason Shragher Jr and Shemar Mills were recognized for signing letters of intent to play collegiate football at Sacred Heart University. To view Diana Leferovich's photos of the event, please visit the Photo Gallery at the following link: https://solsports.zenfolio.com/p626378838
“A common thing with Shemar and Jason – they were incredible players for us their junior year, and they were a huge part of that team that was really successful and had a winning record, made the playoffs and had some really nice wins along the way,” CR South assistant head coach Tony Checchia said. “They really shined that junior season. Obviously, we graduated a lot of guys from that team, and as they came in as seniors, all of a sudden what they were really comfortable and good at doing the year before – now there’s going to be that much more pressure and that many more demands put on them, and that’s tough for anybody to step in and fill those shoes. In their own way, they both did that to their greatest ability.”
Shemar Mills – Sacred Heart University (Football)
Major: Nursing
Final list of colleges: Sacred Heart, West Chester, East Stroudsburg, University of Albany
Reasons for choosing Sacred Heart: “Sacred Heart has a top nursing program that will help me after I leave, and its small class size makes it easier to learn.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in football at the collegiate level? “I started thinking about college football
sometime around eighth or night grade. From then, I started putting in my work. My recruiting didn’t start until my junior year.”
Assistant head coach Tony Checchia says: “Shemar was one of those guys you knew very early on – as a sophomore – he had some of those traits: strength, work ethic and, obviously, his size. For as big as he was, he was really, really athletic, and that was something as a sophomore that was pretty apparent. It was – this guy’s going to get bigger and stronger, and he’s got the right work ethic so you know he’s going to work and do all the right things.
“Shemar was always a force for us defensively, and at any moment, he could take over and you could say, ‘Wow, this is a D1 athlete and possibly a dominant one.’ He led by example – nobody worked harder than him. With all those intangibles, I think he’s a guy that Sacred Heart has to be excited to have. Shemar is a special kid. Everyone who has ever interacted with him never has a bad word to say. He’s the epitome of respectful, polite and represents our program in a positive light. That’s something coach (Vince) Bedesem always preaches - it’s not just about what you do on the field but how you represent things, and Shemar did that.”
About Shemar
Favorite food: Cinnamon Buns
Favorite movie: The Great Gatsby
Favorite music: Rap
Jason Shragher Jr. – Sacred Heart University (Football)
Major: Business
Final list of colleges: Sacred Heart, Franklin & Marshall, East Stroudsburg
Reasons for choosing Sacred Heart: “It felt like home. I visited over 20 schools, and every time I stepped on Sacred Heart’s campus, I just knew it was where I wanted to be. I always dreamed of playing D1 football, and now I can proudly say I will. Time to prove people wrong.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in football at the collegiate level? “My dad inspired me to play at the next level, and I knew it was a way I could get college paid for. I love football. It is all I want to do. I knew I could do so when I played for a national all-star team, the Philadelphia Little Quakers. The recruiting started 10th grade summer when my 7v7 team, Philly’s Finest, helped me gain exposure and visit schools.”
Assistant head coach Tony Checchia says: “Jason was our focal point offensively, and his numbers backed that up. He was a guy that was in a very specialized role as a junior that he excelled at, which was primarily playing defense for us. Going into senior year, that expanded, and now he was playing both ways a little more. We’re asking him to be a focal point offensively, being one of our primary ball carriers. That’s just a whole different nature compared to what he was asked to do as a junior.
“Jason was another guy that successfully met those challenges and demands, and on a team that overall struggled, he had some shining performances. Against (Council Rock) North, he had a multiple touchdown game and put a really nice cap on the year for us. With all our guys, consistency wasn’t perfect, but he had some really shining moments where he met the challenges when he faced adversity.”
About Jason:
Favorite food: Steak
Favorite movie: Step Brothers
Favorite artist: Eminem
All SuburbanOneSports.com articles (or portion of articles) can be turned into keepsakes. For information, please click on the following link: https://www.suburbanonesports.com/article/content/turn-online-features-keepsake-posters-0086874
- Log in to post comments
