Cardone, Robinson, Shannon honored

ROBINSON

By PATRICK ENZOR
Item Assistant Sports Editor
penzor@theitem.com

For most placekickers in the game of football, they are on the field maybe 5-10 times a game.

For Thomas Sumter Academy's Harrison Cardone, he might only be on the bench for 5-10 plays a game. The 5-foot-6, 130-pound senior also sees ample time on offense and defense for the Generals.

Against Northwood last week, Cardone had 86 total yards of offense, two touchdowns, two field goals and three PATs in the 34-27 loss. For his efforts, Cardone is this weeks Offensive Player of the Week.

Sumter's Jamal Robinson is the Defensive Player of the Week and Alex Shannon of Scott's Branch is the Offensive Lineman of the Week.

“It's great,” Cardone said of getting to do more than kick. “I want to kick in college, but now I get to do everything as a kicker.”

Cardone scored on a 75-yard touchdown pass and a 4-yard run for the Generals. He added field goals from 30 and 38 yards, meaning he scored 21 of the Generals 27 points.

He also added an interception on defense.

“Harrison no doubt has the stats to be offensive and defensive players of the week, but he also kicked two field goals in a pressure situation,” said TSA head coach Troy Kessinger. “He also had a big interception. He's doing it all and giving great effort.

“I'm not sure if he'd answer if you yelled out kicker,” he laughed. “We don't have him at kick return and punt return because I want to try to give him a break, but his probably the best we have at that.”

On his touchdown pass, Cardone got past one defender and outran the rest of the defense. He admitted, however, that speed isn't necessarily his specialty.

“I'm really not that fast, but I'm quicker than most people,” he laughed.

Sumter needed defense against Greenwood and got it as it won 10-0. Robinson played a big role in that with 10 tackles, two sacks, a forced fumble and a quarterback pressure from his middle linebacker position.

“Our defense for the last three weeks has really played pretty good,” said SHS head coach Paul Sorrells. “Jamal plyaed in backup role last year, but Friday was by far his best effort.

“He had one really good sack,” he added. “For linebackers is mainly about trusting your keys and going where you are supposed to go. He's such a great kid and has worked extremely hard. It was good to see him be successful. He's been playing pretty good, but it was by far his best game.”

For Scott's Branch, the offense had no trouble in rolling up 40 points and 381 yards rushing. However, the defense surrendered 56 points to Burke as the Eagles fell to 1-4.

Shannon, a three-year starter, graded out at 86 percent and had three knockdown blocks.

“The line is doing everything we ask them to do right now,” said Scott's Branch head coach Leonard Johnson. “They are our hardest working group and the results are showing.

“He's (Shannon) is all over the place,” he added. “We use him in any position on the line because he knows what to do.”

Johnson said that being an offensive lineman in the Hammer offense isn't complicated, but you have to do your job for it to work.

“We use everyone interchangably (on the OL) since our rules are simple,” he said. “I can write them down on the palm of my hand: block down and put your shoulder pads on someone. We paid $150 for the shoulder pads, might as well use them.”

CARDONE

SHANNON