Four Stars commit

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif">It was a dream season for the Academy of Holy Angels Stars&#039; football program in 2017. The program elevated itself from an under .500 season in 2016, weathered a tough schedule and even overcame an injury to one of their leaders to walk away as the 2017 Class AAAA champions. The dream continued for two Stars&#039; seniors during the early signing period when <strong>Gerome Hamilton Jr.</strong> committed to Howard University, and <strong>Jack Anderson</strong> committed to Western Illinois. The dream season concluded for two more Stars&#039; seniors when <strong>Keontay Shorter </strong>signed on the dotted line committing to Bemidji State, and <strong>Ryan Mazurek</strong> committed to the University of South Dakota. All four Stars shared their thoughts on the season that was and the college seasons that are ahead.</span></span></p> <p><strong><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif">Gerome Hamilton Jr.</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif"> OL Howard</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif">"This year has been a blessing. It has been everything I could have ever wanted and everything we have been working for; coming together our senior year and winning a state championship."</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif">"(Signing Day) was everything I could have dreamed of. To be able to go to a Division I football program and to be able to play college football in general. Just seeing my other close friends: Ryan, Keonte, and Jack all going to great schools to play football says a lot about our team."</span></span></p> <p><strong><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif">Jack Anderson</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif"> LB Western Illinois</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif">"It was a great season. Unfortunately, I ended up tearing my ACL that ended my season, but it still ended up the way we wanted. The team fought even harder after I went down. They knew if they won the state championship it would mean the world to me. I am proud of everyone who did it – we made history."</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif">"(Signing Day) was a sign of hard work and dedication and loyalty to the game of football. I could have been doing a lot of other things, but I decided to keep going after my dream and keep working to become the best football player I could be. It was an emotional day for me, and I was extremely happy with my decision. It was a dream come true."</span></span></p> <p><strong><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif">Ryan Mazurek</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif"> WR South Dakota</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif">"The community thrived on (the season). We were the first team to win a state championship here. It was awesome to be a part of something. There have been so many good teams along the way for Holy Angels. It was awesome to be the first team to win it."</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif">"Today (Signing Day) means so much to me. I finally get to say where I am going to college next year. I just want to thank God because I have the opportunity to play football and it is what I like to do."</span></span></p> <p><strong><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif">Keontay Shorter</span></span></strong><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif"> DB Bemidji State</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif">"It was an awesome season. We knew from the time we lost in the section championship (to end the 2016 season) we had to grind hard and this is what we get – a state championship. It was a record-setting season for Holy Angels football."</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif">"(Signing Day) has been an awesome day. I am excited, happy and honored to sign my National Letter of Intent to go to school and go to school for free. I am excited to get on campus and start working. Now it is time to work. It is college football now with the big boys."</span></span></p>