By Chris Sokoloski

csokoloski@gtowntimes.com

Georgetown -- Georgetown High's LeeShawn Cromedy signed to play football at North Greenville University last week.

"This is a chance for me to show off the pride of my school," Cromedy said. "Show off all the hard work to get to this point."

Cromedy wants to study to be an athletic trainer at the Southern Baptist liberal arts college in Tigersville.

He is one of 14 recruits signed by Crusaders, all from South Carolina, and he expects to get a chance to play as a freshman.

Cromedy had 68 tackles - 17.5 for a loss - three sacks, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in 2011 and was the only Georgetown County player selected to participate in the North-South All-Star Football Game in Myrtle Beach.

"LeeShawn is a young man that represented the program well," Georgetown football coach Bradley Adams said. "He's going to be hard to replace. He has a strong motor on and off the field."

The Bulldogs were 2-8 in Cromedy's sophomore year in 2009, but improved to 5-5 to 2010 and 7-4 in 2011.

"We all played a lot harder," Cromedy said. "Everybody bought into what we were doing."

As a team leader, Cromedy said his most important job was motivation.

"I always told them to keep their heads up. Don't get down after a bad play."

Adams hopes other Georgetown athletes are inspired by classmates who get a chance to continue their education.

"[LeeShawn] reached the reward of going to school for free. You've got to work hard to be successful in the classroom and the athletic arena."