North Central's Sullivan and Skokna Lead Cardinals to Sixth Straight Division III Title Game
The stage is set for what promises to be an epic showdown in the NCAA Division III championship game, as top-seeded North Central takes on Wisconsin-River Falls at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio. For senior teammates John Sullivan and Thomas Skokna, this moment represents a culmination of hard work, dedication, and perseverance.
A journey that began with limited college offers has led to two of the country's best players being named Division III All-Americans by all four major awarding bodies: Associated Press, American Football Coaches Association, Walter Camp, and D3Football.com. Sullivan, a defensive lineman, is also AP Defensive Player of the Year, while Skokna, a small-college receiver, is a semifinalist for the prestigious Gagliardi Trophy.
Sullivan's path to stardom was marked by transformation. After weighing in at 290 pounds as a freshman, he shed weight and now plays at 270 pounds, showcasing his agility and speed as one of the nation's elite defensive linemen. He has amassed an impressive 69 total tackles, 21 tackles for loss, and 7.5 sacks this season.
Skokna's rise to prominence was also marked by hard work. As a freshman, he barely traveled with the team; by his junior year, he started at receiver and has since become one of the top small-college receivers in the country, boasting an impressive 81 catches for 1,226 yards and 23 touchdowns.
Both players attribute their success to North Central's coaching staff and culture, which they claim is like a brotherhood. They both played their way up through the ranks, starting with minimal involvement as freshmen. Sullivan, who initially weighed in at 290 pounds, has undergone significant transformation, while Skokna has become one of the nation's top receivers.
As they prepare to take on Wisconsin-River Falls for the Division III title, both players will graduate with degrees in criminology and marketing next spring. While their college careers may be nearing an end, they are not ready to hang up their cleats just yet. Both have expressed interest in training for pro days or potentially playing professional football after graduation.
The stage is set for a thrilling championship game, and North Central's Sullivan and Skokna are poised to put on a show. Can they lead the Cardinals to their sixth straight title? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain – these two talented players have earned every bit of respect from the college football world.
The stage is set for what promises to be an epic showdown in the NCAA Division III championship game, as top-seeded North Central takes on Wisconsin-River Falls at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio. For senior teammates John Sullivan and Thomas Skokna, this moment represents a culmination of hard work, dedication, and perseverance.
A journey that began with limited college offers has led to two of the country's best players being named Division III All-Americans by all four major awarding bodies: Associated Press, American Football Coaches Association, Walter Camp, and D3Football.com. Sullivan, a defensive lineman, is also AP Defensive Player of the Year, while Skokna, a small-college receiver, is a semifinalist for the prestigious Gagliardi Trophy.
Sullivan's path to stardom was marked by transformation. After weighing in at 290 pounds as a freshman, he shed weight and now plays at 270 pounds, showcasing his agility and speed as one of the nation's elite defensive linemen. He has amassed an impressive 69 total tackles, 21 tackles for loss, and 7.5 sacks this season.
Skokna's rise to prominence was also marked by hard work. As a freshman, he barely traveled with the team; by his junior year, he started at receiver and has since become one of the top small-college receivers in the country, boasting an impressive 81 catches for 1,226 yards and 23 touchdowns.
Both players attribute their success to North Central's coaching staff and culture, which they claim is like a brotherhood. They both played their way up through the ranks, starting with minimal involvement as freshmen. Sullivan, who initially weighed in at 290 pounds, has undergone significant transformation, while Skokna has become one of the nation's top receivers.
As they prepare to take on Wisconsin-River Falls for the Division III title, both players will graduate with degrees in criminology and marketing next spring. While their college careers may be nearing an end, they are not ready to hang up their cleats just yet. Both have expressed interest in training for pro days or potentially playing professional football after graduation.
The stage is set for a thrilling championship game, and North Central's Sullivan and Skokna are poised to put on a show. Can they lead the Cardinals to their sixth straight title? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain – these two talented players have earned every bit of respect from the college football world.
they've been killing it all season and it's crazy to think that john sullivan has lost like 20 pounds since freshman year he must be so disciplined with his training lol. and skokna's rise to fame is insane, i mean who wouldn't want to be one of the top receivers in the country? but seriously though, their team chemistry and coaching are definitely key to their success 
it's gonna be a tough game against wisconsin-river falls, but i'm hyped for the championship matchup 
I'm hyped for both teams, but North Central's journey to this point has been incredible to watch. Those two seniors, John Sullivan and Thomas Skokna, are the real MVPs 
. Their dedication and hard work have paid off in a big way. It'll be awesome to see them put on a show at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio. Can't wait for the championship game! 
. Their journey to stardom is a total inspiration - from being underdogs to becoming two of the country's best players 
! Skokna's rise to prominence is also a testament to hard work and dedication 
. These guys are proof that with perseverance and a solid support system (aka North Central's coaching staff), you can achieve greatness 
. Let's get ready for an epic showdown between the Cardinals and Wisconsin-River Falls - it's gonna be a wild ride 
!
i cant believe ur team is going to the championship game again!! congrats to u both on making all america teams and stuff too that weight loss transformation is insane btw 
how are u planning to celebrate after the game??
John Sullivan and Thomas Skokna are on fire this season! I mean, 69 total tackles and 7.5 sacks? That's insane 
It's clear that hard work and dedication paid off for these two. And can we talk about their transformation journeys? Sullivan went from 290 pounds to 270, and Skokna's come a long way too - it's amazing what the mind and body can achieve 
And what about their post-college plans? Pro day or pro football - I want to know! 
They've worked so hard to get to this point, and it's awesome to see them reap the rewards 
It's like they're unstoppable 
I'm rooting for them to lead North Central to their sixth straight title 
Go Cards! 
. North Central's got a strong team behind them, but Wisconsin-River Falls is no pushover either 
. It's gonna be an epic battle for sure! 
️. Their success can be attributed to North Central's coaching staff and culture, which has been like a brotherhood for them 
.
. Is that really a fair reflection of our society? Are we just rewarding those who are willing to put in extra effort while others are left behind? And what does this say about our priorities as a nation? Shouldn't every kid have an equal chance to succeed, regardless of their background or starting point? 
The real winners here might not be the Cardinals, but rather the kids who are watching and wondering if they can ever measure up 
.
I'm just saying, it's crazy how far both Sullivan and Skokna have come! From being under-the-radar recruits to becoming Division III All-Americans... it's a testament to their hard work and dedication 
. And Skokna's numbers? Whoa, 81 catches for 1,226 yards and 23 touchdowns? The guy's on fire 
. Bring on the championship game - it's gonna be an epic showdown!