2004

Four ECCC stars sign By Tony Krausz sports ed1tor A quartet of East Central Community College football players committed to con– tinue their collegiate careers with four– year programs on Wednesday afternoon. Warriors defensive lineman Henry Smith, strong !:>afety Toney Edison, run– ning back Darryl Mapp and fullback/ line– backer Justin Ficklin signed national let– ters of intent to four different programs at the Brakeen-Wood gym. Smith signed with Texas A&M in Col– lege Station, Texas; Edison signed with Nicholls Stale Univt>rsity in Thibodaux, La.; Darryl Mapp signed with Southern Nazarene College in Bethany, Okla.; and Justin Ficklin singed with Bacone College in Muskogee, Okla. 'They are all fine young men who have meant a lot to our program," said ECCC head football coach Terry Underwood. "What our staffs job is about is promoting these kids and getting them out there. I feel this is why a lot of kids choose to come the route to have the opportunity to grow, mature and move on from here." Smith, a product of Aliceville (Ala.) High School, was a two-year starter at ECCC. He recorded 27 tackles, five tackles for a loss, 15 assists, three sacks and blocked one field goal this season. The 6-foot-3, 300-pound defensive lineman earned was named an All-State honorable mention this season. When Smith arrives in College Station, he will be reuniting with the head coach he was originally going to play for out of high school- Dennis Franchionc. ~r chose Texas A&M becau se of the atmosphere. I really loved my visit (to the campus)," Smith said of signing with Texas A&M "Plus, I already know coach (Dennis Fr anchione) and all the guys on the coaching staff. I think il will be a nice school for me to go to." Smith will join the Aggics on their trip to the Cotton Bowl on Jan. 1. He will be a sideline observer for Texas A&M's game against Tennessee in Dallas. "Henry has been a really good player for us," underwood said . "He "igned with Alabama out of high ...chool. and-e h F ranchione and hi-. :-taff wa:> the group (Smith) slizncd •;th."

PHOTOBY TONY KRAUSZ / THEMERI.OIAN STAR

SIGNING UP East Central Commumty College football players, from left, Henry Smith, Toney Edison, Darryl Mapp and Justin Ficklin sign their national letters of intent !o join four-year programs on Wednesday at the Brakeen-Wood gym, as Warriors head coach Terry Underwood. standing, watches on. Smith signed with Texas A&M in College Station, Texas; Ed1son signed w1th N1cholls State University in Thibodaux, La.; Darryl Mapp signed w1th Southern Nazarene College In Bethany, Okla.; and Justin Ficklin signed with Bacone College 111 Muskogee, Okla.

Eddison, a product of Collins High School. has started for ECCC for the last two seasons in the defensive backfield. The 6-foot, 200-pounder was named to the MAC]C All-Star learn and earned ECCC's Defensive Back MVP and second team All-State honors this season. "1 chose Nicholls State because they have a great coaching staff there," Edclison said. 'They also run the same defense that we run here, and I feel I will fit right into their program. I think it will be a real good fit for me." Edclison recorded 38 tackles, 12 assists, three interceptions and five pass break ups in 2004. "(Eddison) has done a great job and has been a leader on our team," Under– wood said:· Mapp, a product of Newton County High School. started at running back for ECCC in the last two seasons

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