Shaun Shuck

If you were to looking to see what the ideal prototype of a

student/athlete would be, then you wouldn’t have to look any further than

Shaun Shuck.

Shuck, a running back/cornerback for the Huntington Beach High Oilers,

played his final varsity game last Friday night against rival Edison, and

the 5-10, 180 senior saved his best for last.

Up until the final night of the regular season, it had pretty much been a

quite campaign for Shuck. But he changed all that against the Chargers

and ended his high school football career with a bang, rushing for a

career-best 271 yards on 25 carries in a 35-14 loss.

Shuck also scored his final career touchdown by opening the game’s

scoring with a 69-yard run in the first quarter to give the Oilers their

only lead, 7-0.

In addition, he also had one final personal defensive highlight with an

interception.

His final offensive effort put Shuck at 916 yards for the season.

“I just wanted to have a final game that I would always remember,” said

the Independent’s Player of the Week. “I’ve loved every minute of playing

high school football, the wins and the losses, included. One thing I’m

proud of personally is that I know I’ve left the field giving it my all,

my best effort possible.”

Like many students, Shuck has found a nice balance between athletics and

school activities.

He is serving as the school’s 1999-2000 ASB President, volunteers his

time for charity causes, and, like his football career, will begin his

third year of varsity baseball in the spring.

“Ever since I was little, I was also thrust by other students into a

leadership role,” said Shuck, who sports a 3.84 GPA. “I enjoy all my

activities, and I thought I would get the most out of my high school

experience if I got involved in other extracurricular activities, besides

sports. I really have had a great all-around experience.”

Shuck’s 271-yard output nearly bettered his previous best, a 186-yard

game against Los Alamitos, by 100 yards. His only regret, however, was

that the Oilers did not end the season on a winning note.

“That was my main goal, but it didn’t work out that way,” he added. “But

I’ve had fun out there with all my teammates and I’m happy with the

effort I gave in my last game. I’m just sorry that it’s all over.”