SPRINGDALE — Jason Schisler needs a cool nickname, something that describes the multitude of roles he fills on the Shiloh Christian football team.
He is a two-way starter and has been for several seasons. The 5-11, 175-pound senior doesn’t have flashy offensive statistics and doesn’t lead the team in any defensive category.
Yet his play this season for the Saints (12-1) has been as instrumental in their run to the Class 4A semifinals as any of his more highly touted teammates.
When asked if he has a nickname, the best he could come up with was “Schish,” which doesn’t exactly leave opponents shaking in their cleats.
“My friends call me that,” Schisler said. “I guess it’s just a family thing.”
With 33 carries for 214 yards and two rushing touchdowns, and 10 catches for 131 yards and another score, Schisler needs a nickname for a player who flies under the radar but has the capability to deliver destruction.
Like in last year’s epic playoff win over Nashville. Lost in the euphoria of Shiloh’s stunning 51-49 win was the fact that Schisler led the team in receiving that night, helping the Saints overcome a 35-0 deficit.
“A lot of people didn’t realize that,” Shiloh coach Josh Floyd said. “He had a big game that night and had as big a role in that win as anybody.”
Schisler is described by Floyd as quiet and intelligent, calling him “one of the smartest kids on the team.” He also praised Schisler for his versatility.
“On defense, he can play D-line, secondary or linebacker,” said Floyd, who will be suspended for today’s game after drawing consecutive unsportsmanlike conduct penalties last week against Nashville.
So he’s a multitasker, capable of sliding into various roles without missing a beat. What kind of nickname would describe that type of player?
As the Saints prepare to host Pulaski Robinson (11-2) in today’s semifinals game of the Class 4A State Playoffs in Champions Stadium, it will mark the final home game for Schisler and the rest of Shiloh’s outstanding senior class. This group is trying to do what has never been done at Shiloh — win three consecutive state championships.
“I’ll definitely miss playing here,” said Schisler, who’s been a part of 33 consecutive home playoff wins. “I’m not playing in college, so this will be it for me.”
Schisler plans on major in engineering, possibly at the University of Arkansas.
With two championship rings already in hand and hoping for a third, Schisler is not one to flaunt his bling. When asked what he’d do with three huge championship rings, he just shrugged and said, “I’ll just keep them in my room.”
Tough, smart, quiet, versatile, flies under the radar ... all words that describe Schisler.
Now if there were a nickname that encompassed all that.
Like Schish.