Two Key Members of 2019 Hearts Football Team Sign to Play College Ball (NOW INCLUDING PLAYER AND COACH INTERVIEWS)

Two of the key members of the Effingham Hearts football team that reached the state semifinals this past fall signed to play college ball on Wednesday.

(FROM LEFT, MIKE SHACKELFORD (dad), NATHAN SHACKELFORD, LEANN SHACKELFORD (mom), AND KORA SHACKELFORD (sister) WITH HEARTS VARSITY FOOTBALL COACH BRETT HEFNER)

Nathan Shackelford, who quarterbacked the Hearts to the Final Four, and Logan Brown, a topflight defender who also aided the rushing game, were the two who signed. Shackelford signed to play at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, while Brown signed to play at Eastern Illinois University.

Shackelford said the campus and the attitude of the Platteville players he came in contact were keys to him signing. He also felt good around the coaching staff, and feels that the school will be a place where he can learn on his way to being a teacher and a coach.

Shackelford said his father, Mike, who is superintendent of schools at Brownstown, has been an example he'd like to follow. Shack said he's been told they will try to get him in the games even as a freshman on special teams and in other opportunities.

Greg Sapp talked with Shack at his signing ceremony about his years at EHS and his future at Platteville...

(FROM LEFT, MADISON DOEDTMAN (girlfriend), MAVERICK BROWN (son), LOGAN BROWN, MELISSA BROWN (mom), JIM BROWN (dad) WITH HEARTS VARSITY FOOTBALL COACH BRETT HEFNER)

As for Brown, he said he fell in love with Eastern as a child football player and has always wanted to play for the Panthers. He is signing as a preferred walk-on. Brown explained that, in that capacity, he is a member of the football team, but without a scholarship. He said he has the opportunity to earn a scholarship, though.

Brown battled injury throughout his senior season, but said he's learned through the experience that you just have to be ready whenever the opportunity to shine presents itself. He said the success the Hearts have experienced the past three seasons have "set the standard" for future players to shoot for.

Greg also spoke with Logan at the signing ceremony. Here's their visit...

Greg also visited with Hearts football coach Brett Hefner about Shack and Logan on their time at EHS and how he thinks they'll do in their football future...