Two Gilmer High School seniors made their college football careers official yesterday, as Noble Zuschlag and Garrett Sellers signed their letters of intent to Division II West Virginia State University and Division I Navy, respectively.

The ceremony was held in the GHS Theater on National College Signing Day and was attended by family, friends, fellow teammates and students.

Zuschlag

“You talk about a weight lifted off your shoulders,”  Zuschlag said. “As many of my coaches told me … you were really going to feel that weight lifted off and you won’t know what that’s like until you do it. It’s so awesome.”

Zuschlag came to Ellijay by way of Pittsburgh, Pa. and Maine. He grew up a fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers, but never played football until he arrived in Gilmer County at the age of nine.

“We didn’t win a single game my first year, but I loved it,” Zuschlag laughed. “I was hooked. I knew that it was something I wanted to do forever, as long as I could possibly do it. I took a year off and then I played at the middle school (Clear Creek Middle School) under Coach (Jerry) Barnes. Talk about somebody that really believed in me. He showed me that it wasn’t all about talent; that I could get there through hard work and heart. Then when I got to high school, Coach Tank (Wesley Tankersley) really believed in me too. I’m a true believer that hard work beats talent. I don’t care if you’re a five-star athlete; if you put the hard work in, you can be just as good as anybody.”

Zuschlag sifted through several offers after playing middle and outside linebacker as #43 for the Bobcats, including almost committing to Reinhardt University in Waleska, but then a last-minute phone call led him to change his mind.

“Me and my buddy Thaddeus Bowers went down to Tampa, to a small school called Southeastern (University),” Zuschlag explained. “We loved it. It was on the beach and they had a good football program starting up. We come back and we went to Reinhardt. I was really impressed and thought, ‘Oh man, I’d go there.’ The next day, they offered me a full scholarship. I was about to commit, but then West Virginia (State) called me and asked me to come take a visit. So, I wanted to go see what they had to offer. I go, and the coaches evaluation was unlike anything I’d seen. They told me what things that they liked about me that nobody else had said. They really believed and what really sold me was their strength trainer and all of their coaches. If you’re interested in going to the next level, they’re going to get you there. I love their DC (defensive coordinator). He really understands the game and I’m going to learn a lot.”

With the future as bright as ever, Zuschlag also took time to point out those who helped shape him into the player he is today.

“I’d really like to thank my mom and dad. You talk about support. I don’t tell them a lot, but I appreciate what they do,” said Zuschlag. “All of my coaches have been a huge support, including Sean Thom, Coach Grage, Coach Baker. I really thank them for what they’ve done. My whole senior crew was really supportive of my dream and that’s what really mattered.”

Sellers

“It feels great. It’s something I’ve worked for for a long time,” Sellers said. “It was always one of my dreams when I was younger, to go play big Division I (foot)ball. I didn’t know if it would ever happen. It’s kind of surreal, but it’s great.”

The Gilmer County-native Sellers played center and guard as #54 for the GHS Bobcats. Although he missed much of his senior year due to injury, his work ethic has him determined to get back out on the gridiron. The journey to the college level started when he was young.

“I started out playing park and rec football. I wanted to start when I was really young, but Dad wouldn’t let me,” Sellers explained. “I started at the age of 10 and then moved up to play with Coach Barnes at the middle school That’s when I really started to hear that I could go play (college) ball, so I started working hard and I set my goals.”

Much like Zuschlag, Sellers had several schools eyeing him during his tenure as a Bobcat. His decision to pick Navy was due to a long-term outlook on life.

“I was getting looked at by Georgia Tech, Tennessee Tech and Kennesaw State,” Sellers said. “But the main reason I committed to Navy is because life isn’t just about football. It’s about what you do after football. So yes, if I go get a degree from Tennessee Tech or Georgia Tech … that’s a great degree. But if I go to Navy, it’s a full ride. It’s a great school with a great education, but I’ll have a job after. I can have a family off of that money. I can be nice and stable. I think that was the main reason: not just football, but what opportunities can I take advantage of after I get out of the academy?”

Sellers has had many people help pave the way for his Navy scholarship and he was quick to give credit where it was due.

“I’d like to thank God, for giving me the ability to play football,” said Sellers. “I’d like to thank my family. My parents … I wouldn’t be anywhere without them. There were times I was thinking about quitting and Mom and Dad was the ones that kept pushing me. I’d like to thank my coaches, especially Coach Barnes and Coach Grage. He (Grage) put me right where I need to be and I owe a debt to him. I don’t know how to pay him back.”

 

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