Archer Mills Is Clarion Area’s 2019 N.F.F. Scholar-Athlete, Also Awarded Prestigious Sarra Award (03/23/19)

(Feature photo provided by Nancy Mills: Archer and Coach Larry Wiser displaying Archer’s Joseph D. Sarra Award and his Scholar Athlete Award)

Clarion Area senior, Archer Mills, son of Bill and Nancy Mills, is the school’s 2019 National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame Central Pennsylvania Chapter scholar-athlete. Mills was honored along with fifty-one other scholar-athletes, from member schools throughout Central Pennsylvania at the Central Pennsylvania Chapter’s 22nd Annual Awards Dinner, on Sunday March 17th, at the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center, in State College.

Selection criteria is based on Athletic Achievement (40%), Academic Achievement (40%) and Extracurricular/Community Service Participation (20%).

Archer was also the recipient of the Joseph D. Sarra – Community Service Award, which also includes a $1000 scholarship. This is the second year in a row that a Clarion Area scholar-athlete has won this prestigious award, named in honor of the late Penn State assistant coach. This is the third consecutive year that a Clarion Area scholar-athlete has won the Sarra Award. Quite a run. Ty Burford won the award in 2017 and Nick Cherico was selected in 2018. Nick also won the 2018 “Pennsylvania Coaches’ Award”.

Archer, was a quarterback, place kicker and free safety for the Bobcats, and also did some receiving. He is ranked 4th on the Bobcats’ all- time single season passing list, with 1260 yards this past season, completing 96 passes on 157 attempts, with 15 touchdowns. He also carried the ball 37 times for 200 yards and 4 touchdowns and caught 7 passes for 40 yards.

On defense, Archer had 93 tackles (63 solo), 3 interceptions and a fumble recovery.

As the Bobcats’ place kicker, Archer was 28 of 30 on extra point attempts and 1-for-1 on field goal attempts for 31 points. He also had an outstanding junior campaign, going 56-for-64 on point after tries and 3-for-4 on field goal attempts for 65 points.

Archer carries a 3.65 grade point average and is a two year member of the National Honor Society. He is a seven year member of student council and the yearbook editor.

Several of his community service endeavors are working the County Seat Community Thanksgiving Dinner for 10 years, Kids to Kids Mission Programs – monthly nursing home visits/Shoes for Haiti etc. and the Student Council’s American Red Cross Blood Drive.

(A more complete list of Archer’s athletic, academic and community outreach bio is at the bottom of the article.)

Archer had this to say, “I am grateful for the opportunities I have had at Clarion Area, on the field and in the classroom.  It is great to be able to give back to my community and I was honored to receive the Joseph D. Sarra Community Service Award.  Mr. Sarra coached for 40 years and was recognized for his dedication and passion for volunteering in his community. ”

Clarion Area mentor, Larry Wiser shared his praise for Archer winning the Sarra Award, “I am honored to be associated with this young man. Archer is a goal oriented, dedicated and self- motivated individual. He rises to the occasion and is at his best when his best is needed. Archer is a very good athlete and outstanding young man. His work in the Clarion community with senior citizens speaks for itself.

“The Joe Sarra Award is a most coveted award for any person. I met Joe Sarra many years ago when he coached football at Penn State. He was a great coach, and one of the better people I have met in my lifetime.”

Coach Wiser also shared that others are taking notice, “With Archer winning this year and Nick last year one of the committee people stated you must be doing it right in Clarion.”

This year’s guest speaker was former Phillipsburg-Oceola and University of Maryland football player Joe Condo, who played this last season with the Atlanta Falcons after spending 2006-17 with the Oakland Raiders. He has been named to the Pro Bowl twice.

Some information on the organization from the Central Pennsylvania Chapter: “Since initiating the awards banquet in 1998, the Central Pennsylvania Chapter has awarded a total of $233,000 in scholarship money while honoring 702 scholar-athletes from high schools located in its 24-county coverage area.

“The NFF Central Pennsylvania Chapter is one of 120 chapters nationwide involving over 12,000 members. The wide reach of the Central Pennsylvania Chapter encompasses 24 counties and 101 high schools.

“Founded in 1947 with early leadership from General Douglas MacArthur, legendary Army coach Earl “Red” Blaik and immortal journalist Grantland Rice, The NFF & College Hall of Fame is a non-profit education organization that runs programs designed to use the power of amateur football in developing scholarship, citizenship and athletic achievement in young people.

“The Central Pennsylvania Chapter of the national Football Foundation has been supporting high school and college scholar-athletes since 1997.”

(Thanks to Nancy Mills for providing the photo. Congratulations to Archer and all of this year’s awardees!!!! Archer, you make us Clarion proud!!!!)

Archer Mills Bio:

National Football Foundation – Central PA Chapter:  Scholar Athlete Award

National Football Foundation – Joseph D. Sarra, Community Service Award

2018 Western PA Football Conference Scholar Athlete

Western PAFootball news All-Academic Silver  (2017,2018,2019)

2018 TCS/CE football All STAR TEAM- Defensive back 93 tackles, (63 solo)

2018 D9 Large School All-Star Safety

2018 D9 Large School All-Star Place Kicker

2017 KSAC All Conference First Team Kicker

District 9 Track Medalist/State Qualifier (4×1 relay)

GPA: 3.65

2018 Rotary Youth Leadership (RYLA) recipient

2 year member of the National Honor Society

7 year member of Student Council, 2018-2019 Treasurer

Yearbook Editor

Varsity Football- 3 years  quarterback, kicker and free safety 

Varsity Basketball-4 years

Varsity Track 2 years

Active volunteer in our Community:

County Seat Community Thanksgiving Dinner – 10 years 

KIDS TO KIDS MISSION Programs- Monthly NURSING HOME VISITS/ Shoes for Haiti etc.

Rise Against hunger

Student Council American Red Cross Blood Drive

NHS Peer TutoringNHS Nursing Home visits