Player Profile

Seth Shimer

School: Parkwood High

Class: Senior

Position: Linebacker

Height: 6-foot-1

Weight: 218 pounds

Notable: Shimer was Parkwood’s leading tackler as a junior with 166 stops. … Shimer moved from Arkansas to North Carolina before his sophomore season. … Shimer’s uncle, Ted Shimer, played football at the University of Arkansas in the late 1980s.

Tim Speakman rarely missed a Parkwood High football game last season. At the time, Speakman was the coach of the Rebels softball team and a teacher at the school. Speakman, who was a head high school football coach and a head high school and college softball coach in Florida before coming to North Carolina, was always impressed with a then-junior named Seth Shimer.

“Good football player,” Speakman said.

Months after the final game of the 2016 season and while in the middle of a season that saw the Parkwood softball team win the Class 2A State Championship, Speakman was named the Rebels new football coach.

Speakman said at the time that Shimer would be one of several players that would be key for Parkwood this season. He was right.

For the second-year straight season, Shimer is the Rebels’ defensive leader on and off the field and Speakman said that has been key for Parkwood (2-3) this season.

“Seth is the backbone of our team, Speakman said. “We talk about Seth all the time that he is really a defensive end playing in the middle of the field at a linebacker position. The reason he plays a linebacker position is because he is our field general.

“Seth is the heart-and-soul of our defense and he is the heart-and-soul of our team.”

Shimer has played since his sophomore year and he led the Rebels in tackles last season as a junior with 166 stops. Shimer said he takes a lot of pride in helping lead the defense.

“My coaches put me in the right spots and all I have to do is execute,” Shimer said. “It is just not me, I couldn’t have made all the tackles that I have made without the rest of the team with me. Our relationship on defense it that you help me and I will help you. We keep each other in check.”

Shimer and his family moved to North Carolina before his sophomore season. Shimer, who played freshman football for Gravette High in Northwest Arkansas, said the transition to his new school was a smooth one.

“The transition wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be,” Shimer said. “The atmosphere here is like a family. After that first summer, I really felt like I was at home here. This year, I feel like I have grown up with all the people here. It’s been a good transition.”

Parkwood defensive coordinator Matt Montjoy said Shimer is one of the toughest players he has coached. Shimer suffered a shoulder injury the second week of the season but was able to play through it and finish the game.

“Seth is a great young man and he makes all the calls for me on defense,” Montjoy said. “When I need a check in place, he makes it. His understanding of the game is a lot higher than most high school kids. He is a striker and a tough kid I think can play football in college.”

Shimer would like to continue playing football after high school and he said he is starting to get interest from several different programs. Shimer probably projects as a defensive end at the college level.

“Coach Speakman is helping me out a lot and I really appreciate his help,” Shimer said. “Coach Speakman is a really good coach and he is doing a great job with the program here. Several coaches have told me that (playing defensive end), and you have to accept what people with a lot of experience have to say.”