Though it wasn’t a shock to anyone, Southside senior linebacker Gerarde Shanks got a pleasant surprise Thursday morning.

A phone call to his coach told the Panthers’ star he’d been selected to the All-State squad.

It’s an honor Shanks deserves. The ferocious middle linebacker had his fourth-straight season with over 100 tackles as he helped lead a hard-hitting Panthers defense.

Though the selection is for Shanks alone, the linebacker said it’s an honor he shares with his team.

Shanks’ selection is also a

sign of the job that Chris Raymond and his staff have done at the school.

The Panthers made it to the second round of the playoffs for the first time in 13 years.

Raymond said the whole team benefits from Shanks’ award.

According to the coaching staff, the senior may be the first player from the school to be selected to the all state team.

The official announcement is expected either today or early next week, Shanks said.