13 Sep 2017 Schucker powering explosive Lion offense
by Levi Gilbert
The Searcy Lions have roared off to a hot start in non-conference play, scoring 110 points in the first two games. Mason Schucker has been a catalyst for the impressive start.
“He’s a great leader on the field and throws the ball as well as any quarterback that I have had a chance to coach,” said Searcy Coach Mark Kelley. “He’s always willing to learn and spend time working on football, and he’s really good in the classroom.”
Schucker, a senior quarterback for the Lions, was selected to this year’s 501 Football Team — 25 players representing all 11 counties of the 501. The team, which boasts the best the 501 has to offer both on and off the field, is sponsored by Conway Ortho and Sports Medicine, Conway Regional Health System and First Security Bank. Schucker was nominated by Kelley.
“My dad played college football for UCA, and then was a football coach,” Schucker said. “My brother also played for UCA, so football is a sport that is big in my family.”
Schucker threw his first high school touchdown pass after moving up to the high school team as a ninth grader. “It was my second play of my first game,” Schucker said. “It was a hitch and go route. I remember it like it was yesterday.”
Last season, Schucker threw for 1,793 yards and 15 touchdowns, and he rushed for three touchdowns, helping lead the Lions to a playoff berth and a first-round upset win over Lake Hamilton, 25-16. It marked the first playoff win for the Lions in five years.
Schucker is driving himself towards even bigger personal goals this season, and it’s fueled naturally by some familial rivalry.
“I want to be the best leader I can be,” Schucker said. “I want to throw for 3,000 yards. My brother threw for 25 touchdowns in a year, so I want to throw for more than 25 touchdowns.”
The Lions play host to Morrilton in the final non-conference matchup this season before heading into 6A East play, and Schucker and his teammates will look to “just keep doing what we do.”
“We have been successful because of the amount of work we have put in,” Schucker said. “We have spent all off-season and summer working our tails off for this season. We have good relationships with one another.
“During practice, we push each other to do our best each play. Every Thursday night, the starters go eat together to just get ready for our opponent the following night.”
Schucker also pitches for the Lions baseball team. Off the field, he’s active in Beta Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Student Council and National Honors Society. And Schucker and the Lions are mindful of giving back to the Searcy community.
“Each summer, the football team has this day called Lion Serve Day,” Schucker said. “We split into groups by our positions and go out and do these special projects for people in the community.”
The Lions play host to Morrilton Friday at 7 p.m.
