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Prospect watch: Aliquippa’s Malik Shegog
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By Tribune-Review
Published: Saturday, December 15, 2012, 10:36 p.m.
Updated: Wednesday, April 3, 2013
MALIK SHEGOG
5-foot-9, 160 pounds, CB, Aliquippa
Despite being a first-year starter at quarterback, senior Malik Shegog developed into one of the most dangerous offensive performers for Aliquippa this season.
Shegog rushed for 701 yards and 12 touchdowns on 82 carries — an 8.5 yards per carry average — and completed 35 of 74 passes for 662 yards and eight touchdowns for the Quips.
“Malik has done exactly what we hope our program does: He was the backup quarterback for three years, played defense at corner and learned how to lead and how to play the quarterback position,” Aliquippa coach Mike Zmijanac said. “He's a different kind of quarterback than the ones we had in the past — more of an athlete and a runner back there. He learned how to play the game, was patient enough, worked hard and paid attention enough and stepped right in and had a great season for us.”
Shegog led the Quips to 15 consecutive victories, their second consecutive WPIAL Class AA championship and their first appearance in the PIAA final since 2003.
“Growing up, you always see the success the older generations had and want to be there. When I got the job at the beginning of the year, I wanted to help the team any way I could.”
Shegog rushed for 72 yards on 11 carries and completed 2 of 10 passes for 23 yards in the 17-14 loss to Wyomissing on Saturday at Hersheypark Stadium.
Shegog also showed why colleges are recruiting him on defense, displaying quickness and shifty moves in running for several big gains when the pocket collapsed and he had to scramble. Shegog also had 21⁄2 tackles, including one for a loss, and is considered a good enough prospect at defensive back that Temple, Rutgers and Division I-AA schools are showing interest.
“They're looking at me for corner,” Shegog said. “Last year, in the playoffs, I had a couple of big defensive games and interceptions. This year, I had a couple of lockdown games.”
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