Sep 29, 2015 5 min read

Brock Shannon has quickly gained the reputation as a talented running back who can level a defender by lowering his shoulder on one play and outrun another on the next. Two years ago, however, the Charleroi senior thought his football career was behind him.

During the fall of Shannon’s freshman and sophomore years, he was a speedy forward for the Cougars’ boys soccer team but began to grow tired of the sport. With many of his friends playing football, Shannon embraced the challenge of returning after two years away from his old sport and the WPIAL Class AA Interstate Conference has not been the same since.

The 5-8, 170-pound tailback gained 701 yards and scored 15 total touchdowns as a junior, but Charleroi struggled to a 2-8 record and failed to make the playoffs for the 10th consecutive season.

His senior year brought an opportunity to grow as an every-down running back, but Shannon began to miss soccer, the exhilarating feeling of scoring a goal and the comaradery that came with a big win. After talking to a group of soccer players three weeks ago, Shannon decided that he wanted to pull double duty: compete for the soccer team and continue to run through defenders on Friday nights in football.

“It’s my senior year and I wanted to get back out there with the friends and teammates I started out with,” Shannon explained. “I was always soccer 100 percent growing up and then I switched to football. It’s nice getting back in that groove.”

Charleroi’s boys soccer program is reaping the benefits.

One night before rushing for 220 yards with two touchdowns and returning a kickoff for a score against Burgettstown last Friday, Shannon made his soccer debut in a Section 4-A match at California. He didn’t start, but it was the finish that counted. Shannon scored three goals in the Cougars’ 4-0 win and had another one in their victory Saturday against Washington.

The victories helped Charleroi move into second place in Section 4-A and one step closer to its first postseason berth since 2009.

“It was a new feeling, but it was amazing,” Shannon said of his first goal. “It was so fun to be back out there. All of my friends on the football team came to support me. It was just cool to score. I hadn’t gotten to celebrate with the soccer players and it brought back some memories.”

It was a busy three-day span and Shannon is excelling to make the transition that Charleroi first-year soccer coach Tom Cameron did not know was possible. When his players approached him about Shannon’s interest, Cameron wanted more details.

Cameron has plenty of questions: Who is he? Will he fit into the team and would anybody be upset adding a player two weeks into the season? Everybody was on board with adding Shannon.

“I guess he got that itch to play again and when I put him in, with his natural athletic ability, he opened things up for us,” Cameron said. “When he scored, the boys were happy for him – so was I – and I think he’s going to help us achieve our goals the rest of the way.”

Charleroi head football coach Donnie Militzer can attest to that. Shannon immediately added excitement to the offense last fall and flashed versatility in those first practices during camp. In four games this season, Shannon has rushed for 398 yards with four touchdowns, caught a pass for another touchdown against Southmoreland and has an interception as a safety.

“He’s shouldering the load and everyone is keying on him now,” Militzer said. “He’s the type of kid who can take it to the house any snap and he can get those tough, physical yards. Usually, you have it one way or the other, but he’s the best of both worlds.”

It wasn’t always easy. Shannon lifted weights every day to prepare his smaller frame for varsity football, but finding holes created by his offensive line last season took time and patience – something he did not have. Because of soccer, his instinct was to attack on every play.

He overcame a slow start and was named all-conference, helping Charleroi win two of its final three games. He’s now practicing with soccer after school, heading to football practice then home for dinner and homework.

It’s a hectic schedule, but he’s enjoying every second. So are his coaches and teammates.

“I never pictured myself succeeding like this in football,” Shannon said. “Yes, I’m playing to win and to make the playoffs, but I want to help both teams. I like being with my friends and experiencing high school the way it should be experienced. I’m doing what I love to do.”