Ryan Shaw is young for his grade but the Clarke County Senior is mature for his age. The Eagles Tight End is a leader in the locker room and the classroom where this playmaker carries a perfect 4.0 GPA.

"You have to realize what's important for you. Some nights you have to be focused on your athletics, some nights you have to focus more upon what you have to do for homework, things you've been assigned in class, but you really have to keep everything in balance," Shaw said.

Clarke County is the smallest public school in our coverage area which makes this next fact even more remarkable. The Eagles have produced more Student Athletes of the Week than any other school, and both player and coach say it's a total team effort making sure everyone stays on track.

The Eagles have experienced a rebirth in Ryan's Senior year. Clarke County went 2-8 a year ago, but have already doubled that win total this year, and figure to be in the hunt for a playoff berth out of the Bull Run District. A big reason for the turnaround is Ryan's leadership.

"He just does everything we ask, he has a great attitude, you don't have to worry about him as far as behavior and academics. I wish I had him for a couple more years," Head Coach Chris Parker said.

"Alot of times I'm basically saying the same things the coaches are saying. They're telling us what we're doing wrong, what we're doing right, what we need to improve on. But alot of kids, especially like myself, I know in certain situations, need to hear it from someone our own age. They need to hear it from another kid, another student athlete," Shaw said. "It's hard to sometimes take alot of criticism from your coaches. If you hear it from another player it's sometimes more effective."

There's no doubt about it, Ryan, who takes an interest in science and math and would like to pursue a career in engineering has a bright future. And thanks to the example he's set for the rest of his younger teammates, including him Freshman brother Grant, Clarke Counties' program should have a lot to look forward to.

Congratulations to Ryan Shaw of Clarke County High School, TV3 Winchester's Student Athlete of the Week.