ATHENS, P.A. (WENY) - After a standout high school career, Athens senior quarterback, Mason Lister is set to compete on the gridiron at the next level.

Lister signed on Thursday to play football for St. John Fisher University.

Lister led the NTL in passing yards in the 2022 season with 1,872. He completed 149 passes and recorded 18 touchdowns through the air as well as three rushing touchdowns. Lister helped lead the Wildcats to a 7-5 season where they picked up a District IV playoff win before falling to Danville in the Class AAA Semifinals.

Mason says he plans to major in Sport Management, and he discussed why St. John Fisher was the right fit for him.

"The second I went there on a visit, you could tell there was something different about it, something special, and I really loved it there," Lister said. "There was something that really spoke to me. The coaching staff was nothing but the best for me during the entire process, and it was really just an easy decision in the end."

Lister will be joined by high school teammate, Luke Horton, who also recently signed with St. John Fisher football and baseball. They are eager to begin preparing for the jump to the collegiate level.

"There's nothing better. We go back a long way from third and fourth-grade baseball all the way up, and now that we're able to be on the same football field, it feels great," Lister said. "Got the senior year done so now we go to the next four and hopefully we can keep continuing to do great things."

"It's definitely going to be different," he added. "Every concept is different football-wise but I think it's definitely doable. It's going to be a ton of hard work. Me and Luke plan on putting in a ton of hard work in the summer, being able to get on our field and run routes and stuff like that, and making sure the game plan is all down."

After playing a major role on the Athens football, basketball, and baseball teams, Lister reflected on what he'll cherish the most from his time with the Wildcats.

"Definitely the teammates, it goes way back. I've played with the same basketball team for a long time, I've played with the same football team for a long time and all of the teammates are just one big family. We've been riding it out since we were little kids and now to see that everyone is graduating and moving on is really good to see" he said.