Mershon happy to be playing

Hun grad gets shot in Sunshine Classic

By: Justin Feil
   Randy Mershon had gone to the Sunshine Football Classic in each of the past two years to root for Hun School teammates.
   Thursday, he will have the chance to compete in the all-star game that kicks off 7 p.m. at The College of New Jersey’s Lions Stadium.
   "It feels like the atmosphere is always great, the game is always fun," Mershon said. "I’ve never played in front of that many people before. They’re looking to get 3,000 people. I’ve never seen crowd that big. The most I’ve seen is 500 against Lawrenceville. It’s been fun to see the seniors play as I was growing up. It’s going to be fun to actually be out on the field."
   Mershon got there with steady improvement. He didn’t play football until he was a freshman at Hun, and when he began, it was his third sport behind basketball and baseball. Back then it was hard to imagine making an all-star football game.
   "Not really freshman year," said the Columbus resident. "Freshman year, I was having fun. Probably junior year, I saw I’m not going to be great basketball player and baseball wasn’t my calling. Football seemed like a more plausible future for me.
   "Leading up to my junior year, I started to get really serious," he added. "The training got kicked up another notch. I spent more time in the weight room, more time running, more time with the people at Hun. I definitely got more serious in the last couple years."
   Football will play prominently in Mershon’s near future. He will play on the offensive line at LaSalle University this fall.
   "Right now, they have me playing guard, either one," he said. "They have two young tackles. I played tackle all through my years at Hun. They said if I keep a good attitude and work hard, I should be second string this year."
   Mershon, who also rotated at defensive tackle as a senior at Hun and played special teams, is hoping to use the Sunshine game as a final tune-up for his college career. He will be playing at tackle for the West all-stars, who have been practicing at Princeton Day School in preparation for the clash with the East all-stars.
   "Last year, I saw Mike Arduini play," Mershon said. "It’s an honor to play in it. I felt like if I got picked, it’d be a lot of fun. It seems like it’ll be a great game this year. I’m really looking forward to it."
   Having started the last two seasons at Hun, Mershon feels well prepared for the challenges he will face on Thursday. He credits playing for the Raiders with helping him get to the all-star game and attracting college attention.
   "The talent that we face at Hun is unbelievable, even the kids we have (help me)," Mershon said. "It should help with the transition. In the practices we have, the players we’re facing are good. The kids I faced on a daily basis at Hun, it’s unbelievable. And next year, it’s going to be learning experience, but I think the Hun football experience helped me in getting ready with practices and games for the next level."
   Nothing ever prepares the players for the 90-degree heat they endure to prepare for the Sunshine game. But the sacrifice is worth it to help put together a top football game that benefits the Sunshine Foundation, which raises money to support the wishes of handicapped or terminally ill children. Tickets are $5 in advance; $7 at the gate and can be reserved through game coordinators Steve Gazdek of Hamilton at 631-4168 (ext. 3350) or Jim Griffin Sr. at 799-5098. Mershon is happy for the chance to play in preparation for LaSalle.
   "Right now, it’s more of a tune-up for college," he said. "We’re facing some of the best kids in Mercer County and some of the northern schools. We go to camps in the summer for tune-ups in high school, but when you’re going to college, you don’t get that. I’m looking at it as more of a practice to get ready for training camp in the beginning of August."
   Mershon begins practice at LaSalle Aug. 11. He is looking forward to helping the program rise under second-year head coach Tim Miller.
   "It seems like they’re in rebuilding," Mershon said. "This is his first recruiting class. We’re part of 30 kids. Their future is really bright. They’re going to be good in the next couple years. Hopefully I can be a part of that."
   Thursday, Mershon figures to show how as he will be doing what he has done best at Hun — pave the way for running backs. As a senior, he helped Kenny Howard rush for 820 yards as the Raiders went 7-2. Mershon is excited to see what some different type backs can do Thursday behind his blocking.
   "The backs look good," Mershon said. "One from Lawrence that is lightning fast, Bayshawn Wells. I’ve never had someone lighting quick like that. Kenny Howard was more of a power back. He could run guys over. If we just have a hole for half a second, (Wells) is gone. It should be fun to see."
   Good from the stands, even better from the field this year for Randy Mershon.