The opportunity to play college football does not happen by chance.
Earning the right to move to the next level requires hard work, dedication and a commitment to excellence.
Jeremiah Jackson and Ethan Vargo-Thomas have both made the required sacrifices and last Friday they reaped their biggest reward.
Surrounded by family, coaches, friends and faculty, the two Oak Hill football standouts signed a National Letter of Intent to play college football.
Jackson made his commitment official with West Virginia State University, while Vargo-Thomas officially signed with Fairmont State University.
“You can’t say enough about these guys,” former Oak Hill head coach Dave Moneypenny said. “I have had some good ones over the last 36 years and they are as good as any of them. I am not just talking about on the field. I am talking about the young men that they are.”
“Their success is no surprise,” Moneypenny went on to say. “As far as football goes, when the rubber met the road, they were ready to go. They didn’t flinch. It didn’t matter how good things were or how bad things were, you could count on those guys. It is that way off the field as well. They had great days here at Oak Hill High School, but I think their best days are still ahead of them. I am so happy for these guys.”
Jackson admitted he never dreamed a day like Friday would ever happen for him.
“I never thought I would be in this situation. I moved down here four years ago from New York and I had never really played organized sports until I came down here,” Jeremiah Jackson said. “I decided to come out and it worked out for the best. It was a hard process and I had to really push myself. I had to get stronger, faster and lose a little bit of weight to be able to compete, so it was a challenge.”
Both players have also been standout basketball players for Oak Hill head coach Benitez Jackson who was on hand for the memorable day.
“Anytime you have kids get an opportunity to go to college and continue their education and do what they love to do as well, that is great,” Benitez Jackson said.
Coach Jackson has a special connection to Jeremiah which has made the last four years very special for the Oak Hill head man.
“Jeremiah is my nephew and it has been an honor to coach him,” Benitez Jackson said. “He has grown tremendously as far as maturity. Just seeing his growth has been tremendous and one of the special things in coaching.”
Benitez Jackson also gave the perfect description of the athletic Vargo-Thomas.
“Ethan, you can only say good things about him and his work ethic,” Benitez Jackson said. “He puts everything he has into everything. He is a 4.0 student and probably will be the valedictorian of the class. He has been great to coach. We have never had to tell him to work hard. He is always the first one in the gym and the last one to leave. The same thing with football. You could see him down there kicking in the summer for hours.”
Vargo-Thomas was arguably the most versatile athlete on the Oak Hill roster, but he is also an accomplished kicker and that will be his main focus at the next level.
“Initially when I worked out this summer (at Fairmont State), I did (defensive back) and I kicked and punted,” Vargo-Thomas said. “I think I will go in as a specialist, but if they need me to play another position I would be open to it. In high school it was harder for me to take that next step as a kicker. I had so much else to focus on. In college I will only have to focus on kicking, so I can take it to the next level.”
Fairmont State also offered Vargo-Thomas an opportunity to reunite with some former teammates.
“Braxton (Hall) and Leonard (Farrow), my teammates growing up, them being there was a big factor in my decision. I asked them what it is like and how they liked it. I only heard good things,” Vargo-Thomas said. “I visited Fairmont State and it felt right. Plus I have some family that is up there. I just felt like it was a good fit and I feel like I can go in and compete.”
Jeremiah Jackson also played both sides of the ball at Oak Hill, but clearly was a beast on defense.
“I loved the environment, the coaches and the history at W.Va. State,” Jeremiah Jackson said. “They want me strictly on defense right now at outside linebacker or inside linebacker. You never really know until you get down there, they may want to flip me to offense.”
At the end of the day, both were players all smiles knowing that four years of hard work had help them reach their ultimate goal.
“This day means a lot to me, especially knowing how hard Jeremiah and I have worked for this,” Vargo-Thomas said. “There has been a lot of hours and time put into this and being able to make it official means a lot.”
