Earlier this month, Cornwall High School seniors Amin Woods and Derek Schrag committed to playing football for Division I Marist.
“I’m extremely excited and I can’t wait to see what my collegiate career can be,” said Woods.
“It’s an amazing opportunity,” added Schrag. “It’s the next door to a new chapter.”
Woods began playing in the eighth grade. He had always been interested in the sport, but finally decided to give it a try. He said he was drawn to hitting people on the field.
As a running back, Woods excelled at his position. Leading the Dragons to back-to-back state Class A championships, he was twice named MVP and varsity player of the year.
Also looking at the University of New Hampshire, Woods chose Marist because of the relationship he felt with the school.
“I got the sense they really wanted me and wanted the best for me.”
Woods, who will be majoring in business, plans to continue playing running back, but understands there were other players there before him, so he’ll have to work to get a spot in the starting lineup.
Although Woods and Schrag signed letters of intent on the same day, the two didn’t plan to attend Marist together.
“I verbally committed before he did,” Woods said. “It just worked out that way.”
Prior to his campus visit, Schrag did reach out to his teammate to ask some questions.
Schrag fell in love with football as a child. He’d watch games on television and imagined himself as one of the players on the field. At the age of six, he began playing Mighty Mites football. The wide receiver stuck with the sport because it helped him stay close with his friends.
Although he was considering other local schools, Schrag ultimately chose Marist because he was impressed with the campus, its location on the Hudson River, and brand new facilities. He was also impressed with the criminal justice program.
Schrag isn’t sure what his role will be come the fall, but he expects to continue playing wide receiver. He understands it will be a challenge to break into the starting lineup and he’ll have to work hard to do so.
The Cornwall teammates will be joining Middletown’s Josh Popoca, who also signed to play for Marist. Other Section 9 players currently with the team are Goshen’s Joe and Thomas Giordano.
“I think it’s awesome Marist really likes recruiting out of Section 9,” said Woods.
During his campus visit, Schrag took a few minutes to speak with Joe Giordano about college life.
“It’s definitely pretty cool how you can relate to some of the players in a certain way,” he said. “We all come from the same general area. It’s something we have in common.”
