Sherman followed up his 2005 Albright Award and All-State performance by duplicating those feats along with All-League, All-cnyhsfootball.com and All-CNY acknowledgements.
Sherman was only the second Junior to win the award when he took his first prize. The other was current University of Pittsburgh player, Irvan Brown. Brown won it in 2003 but injuries hampered his senior season. Although nominated again he took second place to teammate (and current University of Wisconsin player) Jeff Stehle in 04’.
For the second year in a row the Warriors were unbeaten in the regular season (7-0), won their first two playoff games but then lost in the Class C Section III Championship. This past fall ended with a 13-6 loss to eventual state runner-up Westmoreland (11-1 overall record). “Eric is one of those kids that a coach dreams of: talented, athletic, smart, respectful – he is all of these” head coach John Manion stated. “He also was the one kid who wanted the ball in pressure situations”. That proved out in the Section III final as Hannibal was down 13-0 at halftime. Sherman came out determined in the second half scoring the Warriors only touchdown and gaining most of his 108 yards on the day. “I realized that it was going to be my last game as a varsity player” Sherman said.
Statistically Sherman had 1427 yards rushing at an 8.2 yard clip per carry, 15 catches for an additional 225 yards, 20 total touchdowns with 8 extra points for a total of 128 points. He led the Class C West in rushing and scoring and was 12th in receiving. His big games included 300 yards and 5 TDs verses Thousand Islands, 236 & 4 verses Tully, 158 & 2 verses Mt Markum and 140 & 2 verses Canastota. TI and Mt Markum came when it mattered the most, in the playoffs. Sherman leaves Hannibal with career records in rushing (3660 yards) and points (328). “We had a great team that helped me set the records; I owe a lot of it to my great line” Sherman said.
For the pure statistician Sherman’s drop in production from his junior to his senior years might be mistaken for lesser effort, a drop in ability or lack of desire. Hannibal’s 9 year head coach knows otherwise. “After the incredible season that he had as a junior we knew that teams would be lining up to stop him. He knew this too.“ Manion said. “He very unselfishly offered himself as a decoy on many situations, gladly sharing the ball with his fullback and wingback.” Fullback Shane Crandall had 119 carries (774 yards) and wingback Barry Alton had 40 rushes (254 yards). Overall the team had 413 attempts. “Our team got along so good, no one was a selfish player” Sherman said “Everyone did whatever it took to win, we clicked so well as a team”
In what can only be described as a mathematical irony 2nd and 3rd place were decided by the consistency in selection votes for one player. Fulton’s Cameron Cotton took second with 127 points although Sandy Creek’s Brad Shippee had more first place votes. The Comet garnered 7 first place nods (and 125 points) to Cotton’s 3 firsts. The other first pick went to Mexico’s Travis Ladd who finished in 4th with 66 total points. “For some reason just about all of the voters placed Cotton in the top three whereas Shippee received a lot of 4ths & 5ths when not chosen #1” Selection Committee Chairman Doug Bigelow stated. “I guess it’s just the way things fell”. Their numbers were both remarkable with the Fulton runningback gaining 1127 yards rushing and 18 total touchdowns He also led the Red Raiders in tackles and picked off 6 passes. The Sandy Creek two-way star earned his argument for top honors with 1772 yards on the ground (16 total TDs) while compiling 126 tackles.
The rest of the nominees were: Mike Phillips (APW), Nick Moran (Central Square), Rick Pritchard (Oswego), Paul Raymond (Phoenix) and Louie Petrocci (Pulaski).
The selection committee is comprised of college coaches, media representatives, administrators and sports dignitaries. It includes former Syracuse University football coach Dick MacPherson, Northwestern’s AD, Mark Murphy and former Orange star and NY Jet, Jim Jerome to name a few. “The whole list can be found on our website, www.oswegocountyfootball.com” Bigelow said. With a descending point system based on a first to fifth system the 23 committee members selected from the nine nominees.
Sherman has narrowed his college choices down to St John Fisher in Rochester and Brockport State University. “I plan on majoring in education, either Elementary or Physical” Sherman said. At least four of his teammates will join him on the college football fields. Quarterback Doug Morgan will play at St John Fisher while linemen Chris Swain (US Military Academy), Kevin Matteson (Hobart) and Derek Weibel will also continue their fall exploits. Whether it be a Cardinal at Fisher or a Golden Eagle at Brockport Sherman should spark Saturdays for some time to come.
