In the case of senior receiver Sheko Gjokaj Jr., St. Charles East coach Nolan Possley has figured out exactly what he has on his hands.
The Saints use the versatile Gjokaj all over the field as their main offensive threat. But when it comes to the next level in college, his position seems crystal clear.
“When you think of a slot receiver, he checks every box,” Possley said of Gjokaj. “He’s super shifty and he catches everything. Really since his sophomore year, he’ll make the tough catches.
“He’ll make the catches that you don’t expect him to make. He’ll get it done.”
With 24 catches for 324 yards and four touchdowns, Gjokaj has been getting the job done this season for St. Charles East (0-4). As a matter of fact, the 5-foot-10, 180-pound Gjokaj has thrived.
Naturally, it all starts in the slot. The Saints use him everywhere, though, to keep teams guessing.
“I love it,” Gjokaj said of his all-purpose approach. “Any way to get me the ball, I love it. I know my skill set. I know I can play any position on the field to get the ball. Of course I love that.”
He’s doing all of that while breaking in Cruz Herrera, a sophomore quarterback. The two have been in lockstep since the start of offseason workouts, and the chemistry is already showing.
“I’ve been mentoring him the whole way,” Gjokaj said. “Some people would think it’s a struggle, but he’s done nothing but step up to the plate. Yes, there may be some mistakes, but they get overlooked with all of the success he’s had. He’s playing at an insane level.”
For his part, when things do start to break down, Herrera knows he has a safety valve available.
“Whenever I look at him, I know he’s going to be open,” Herrera said of Gjokaj. “I feel like he never really makes a mistake. All the off-the-field work we’ve done, I definitely see his talent.
“I know he’s never going to fail me.”
After JT Padron transferred to St. Charles North in the offseason, the quarterback job was there for the taking.
How quickly Herrera has adapted from playing on the freshman team last season to the varsity at such a young age has impressed Possley.
“That’s been cool,” Possley said. “Sheko has really taken him under his wing since summer. They’ve been pretty inseparable ever since. They’ve put in a ton of work and really developed that chemistry that we need.
“That’s the cool thing with Cruz. He knows this offense as well as anybody. He’s operating at much more than a sophomore level in our opinion.”
Gjokaj’s ascent also has started to attract college interest. On Sept. 14, he got the call that all would-be college players dream of — his first major offer from Western Illinois.
“I’m very grateful to Western Illinois’ staff looking at my film and offering me,” Gjokaj said. “It’s a great achievement. It’s something I’ve looked forward to my whole entire life. I play football to get to the next level.
“It’s exciting to see that happen and all my hard work paying off.”
Regardless of St. Charles East’s record, Possley knows Gjokaj has the skills to play in college.
“His hands are through-the-roof reliable and his route running is next level,” Possley said. “He’s just the ultimate competitor. He truly goes out there and thinks he’s going to win every rep.
“And more often than not, he’s right.”
The numbers and the college offers are definitely nice. But for someone who bleeds black and orange like Gjokaj, the losing wears thin.
“My mindset right now is my hometown, my school,” Gjokaj said. “I hate seeing our team lose. It kills my heart. Right now, my mindset is just winning Friday. That’s all that’s been on my mind.
“Going into the season, we didn’t expect this start. We have to get this team back on track.”
Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
Originally Published:
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