There's currently something special in the air on the campus of Warren G. Harding High School. For the third time in three weeks, a senior-to-be has accepted a football scholarship as earlier today, Stephen Sims committed to Youngstown State University.
The 5-foot-10, 175-pound wide receiver joins teammates Airiz Coleman Bey (Brown University) and Kenneth Byrd Jr. (Allegheny College) as Raiders who have already declared for the next level.
With all of the positives going on in Raider Country, Sims is thrilled to add his ingredients to the recipe.
"It feels amazing to be around something special!" Sims said. "I just wanted to play at the next level and YSU is also close to home."
As a junior at Girard High School last season, Sims accounted for 906 receiving yards and 12 touchdown catches while gaining 113 rushing yards and adding another nine scores on the ground. His efforts earned him honors as an All-Trumbull County, 1st Team All-Northeast 8 Athletic Conference, 1st Team All-Northeast Inland District, and 3rd Team All-Division IV selection.
Harding head coach Matt Richardson will never get tired of seeing his athletes earn scholarships. In Harding's recent cases, he understands the benefits that come with making those decisions sooner than later.
"It always great to see athletes make positive life changing decisions for their academic and athletic careers," Richardson said. "Doing it right now takes a lot of pressure off of them and allows them to focus more on preparation for the school year and football season."
One of a few former Penguins on his staff, Richardson is especially looking forward to watching Sims add to his alma mater's legacy on the gridiron.
"Stephen is a blue collar worker," Richardson added. "He leads by example and others follow his lead. I know that he will do whatever it takes for this team to win, so we are excited to see him go to work for us and eventually, at YSU."
Now that Sims' goal of playing college football is secured, he'll continue to set his sights on big things as a Raider on not just an individual level, but collectively with his teammates.
"Everybody's goal is to win a state championship," Sims concluded. "I just want to be successful with my teammates, so we're going to continue to get better every day and strive to be the best."
Comentários