Shannon Forest Crusader Football Team Gears Up for First Season Under the Leadership of Levon Kirkland
Shannon Forest Christian School (SFCS) is the new game in town as the details of the premiere Crusader Football team under the direction of Levon Kirkland fall into place. SFCS has committed to play a Middle School schedule in a newly formed conference called the Palmetto Football Conference.
This conference includes the Anderson Cavaliers, Greenville Hurricanes and the PAC Panthers out of Columbia and will include students in 6th through 9th Grades with an age limit of 14 and under as of May 1, 2012. SFCS will be permitted to have 5 “wild card” players which include students who are 15 and under as of May1, 2012. This team offers a unique opportunity for Middle School players to gain football experience under the direction of a professionally trained coach.
The team will play 3 home games and 3 away games in the first season, with a championship game at the end of the season. The young Crusader team will experience a memorable, premiere season where they will learn from one of the best football players in college and professional history.
SFCS Head Football Coach Levon Kirkland sacked his way to a member of one of the top defensive teams in Clemson’s history. He was named 1st team All-American in 1991. Kirkland’s impact on Clemson football history was honored in being named to the 1996 Centennial team and his induction into the Clemson Hall of Fame in 2001. Levon was also inducted into the South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame in 2008.
Following his Clemson career, Kirkland was the 2nd round draft pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1992 NFL draft and became a starter for the Steelers in his second season. Number 99 soon became known on the field for his massive strength, speed and agility and by 1995, Kirkland was recognized as one of the top, inside linebackers in the NFL.
Kirkland’s NFL career spanned 11 years - nine with the Steelers, and single seasons with the Seattle Seahawks and Philadelphia Eagles. During his career, he was named the to the NFL’s 1990s All Decade Team, was a two-time Pro Bowl selection, a two-time Steeler MVP and was named All-Pro in 1996 and 1997. Kirkland was a member of the Steelers’ Super Bowl XXX team that faced the Dallas Cowboys in 1996. He retired from pro-football in 2002.
The training schedule for the Crusader Football team is as follows:
Campers will receive high caliber training, learning from the best, as they practice and train with college and NFL level professionals. This camp offers limited contact training and is designed to help student-athletes improve or enhance their fundamental football skills and develop technique for every position. During the camp, your athlete will receive training in both individual skill development and valuable situational team experience. Your athlete will not only improve their football skills, they will also receive encouragement in life skills, helping develop a high quality student athlete. For more information on the Summer Football Camp, contact Stephanie Webb at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
For more information on the Crusader Football Program, please contact Rita Harrell at 678-5190 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Levon Kirkland at 678-5156 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .