Midway through the high school football season, Holy Cross took note of what St. John's Prep captain George Sessoms was doing on the football field — and decided he was the type of player they wanted to wear Crusader purple.
After an official overnight visit last weekend, Sessoms verbally committed to play for coach Tom Gilmore next season.
"One of his assistants, coach Cazzie (Kosciolek), came to the school to see me during the season and told me they were really interested in me," said Sessoms, a tailback and linebacker from Peabody. "After talking to him, I became interested in learning more about the school and football program.
"They had a really good season (9-3), winning the Patriot League (at 5-1) and going to the playoffs for the first time. There are a lot of good players returning, so they're expecting big things again next season."
Holy Cross won its first conference title since 1991 this fall. The Crusaders lost to Villanova, 38-28 in the NCAA playoffs in only the third post season appearance in school history. Gilmore, the team's sixth-year head coach, won both Patriot League and New England Coach of the Year honors after guiding the Crusaders to their fifth straight winning season.
"I'm very happy to see George get a great mix of education and a revived football program that is back on track," said St. John's Prep coach Jim O'Leary. "His parents can go see him play in Worcester, which is nice.
"There's a great tradition with our tailbacks wearing No. 27 going all the way back to Eric Sampson, who also played at Holy Cross. We put George in that number as a sophomore, and he carried it well. He's so versatile he can play middle linebacker, outside or in the secondary against spread offenses. He's been very productive for us."
The 6-foot, 195-pound Sessoms, a Catholic Conference all-star, was a two-way starter for the Eagles. He wound up with 1,146 yards rushing on 167 carries and had 14 touchdowns on the season.
The Patriot League offers need-based scholarships, and Holy Cross came up with a good package. Sessoms had been interested in Columbia, Fordham, Dartmouth, and Colgate.
"Holy Cross came after me and showed a lot of interest," said Sessoms. "In the end that was the difference because I knew they really wanted me. I was looking for a good academic school in addition to the football. "
Holy Cross is looking at him on the defensive side of the ball.
"They talked to me about linebacker or playing in the secondary," said Sessoms, who wants to major in pre-med or biology. "I really don't care if I'm on defense or offense as long as I have the chance to get some playing time. The coaches told me they lost some seniors, so the opportunity would be there next year depending on how quickly I adapt."
During his freshman and sophomore years at St. John's, Sessoms was used at cornerback and safety. But he moved to linebacker in his junior year to help out when injuries struck.
"I started as a defensive end in Pop Warner football. It wasn't until my last two years there that I started running the ball," said Sessoms. "Wherever they need me I'll help out.
"I stayed with some of the players last weekend and they made me feel welcome. I knew after the visit that this was the right place for me. The campus is nice, but it's a little hilly. It will be a good leg workout."
Sessoms is now busy playing basketball and also participates in spring track for the Eagles, but will concentrate strictly on football at the next level.
"I think individually I peaked at the right time in my senior year, but it would have been nice if we could have translated it into more wins for the team," Sessoms said of the Eagles' 4-6 campaign this fall. "We were right there in so many games, and it was disappointing we couldn't pick up more wins."
