2004

I oving to rnext le1

7 -st Central football

(Dennis Fr..anchione) and all the guys on the coaching staff. I think it will•be a nice schooJ for me to go to." 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 Franchione. Smith will join the Aggies 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 signed with Alabama out of high school. and coach Franchione and his staiT was the group (Smith) signed with." Edison, 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 MACJC All-Star team and earned ECCC's Defensive Back MVP and second team All-State honors this season. "I chose Nicholls State because they have a great coaching staff there," Edi – son 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.'' Edison 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," Underwood said. Mapp, a product of Newton County High School, started at running back for ECCC the last two seasons. The 5-foot-9, 190 pound back received All-State honorable mention honors this season. He rushed for 276 yards with two ----

__ ··-··-··-=By Tony Krausz 'lilt" Mr11t/1

!\ quartet of East Central Community College football players committed to ontinue their collegiate careers with four-year progt'ams on Wednesday after– loOn. Warriors defensive lineman Henry nith, strong safety Tony Edison. run- ling back Darryl Mapp and 'ullback/linebacker Justin Ficklin igned national letters of intent to four ifferent programs at the Brackeen-Wood nn. Smith signed with Texas A&M in Col· ege Station: Texas; Edison signed with irholls State University in Thibodaux, La.: Darryl Mapp signed with Southern azarene College in Bethany, Okla.; and Justin Ficklin singed with Bacone Col– lege in Muskogee, Okla. "They are all fine young men, who have meruit alotto our program," said ECCC head football coach Terry Underwood. "Wl1at onr stafrs job is about is promot– ing these kids and getting them out there. I feel this is why a lot of kids choose to me H1e route to have the opportunity to ·ow, mature .and move on from here." . Smith, a product of Aliceville (Ala.) ip,b School, was a two year s tarter at ocr. He recorded 27 tackles, five tackles a loss, 15 assists. three sacks and block e field goal attempt this season. he 6-foot-3, 300-pound defensive line– n earned All-State honorable mention nors for his efforts this season. 1 chose Texas A&!\1 because of the tmosphere, I really loved my visit (to the pus," Smith said of signing with lS A&M. "Plus, I already know coach

EAST CENTRAL COMMUNf Ready to continue their athletic careers with four-year programs are the above East Community College football players who signed letters of inttpl on early signing day De 15 in the Brackeen-Wood Physical Education Building on til( I >ecatur campus. From le defensive lineman Henry Smith of Aliceville, Ala., who signO( w1th Texas A & M Univers Co1rege Station, Texas; strong safety Toney Eddison of Coli It, . who inked with Nicholls University in Thibodaux, La.; tailback Darryl Mapp of Decatur 11Newton County High S product, who signed with Southern Nazarene College in Boll my. Oklahoma; and fullback/linebacker Justin Ficklin of Morton, who is transferrin to Bacone College, locat Muskogee, Oklahoma. Standing is ECCC head football con~ Terry Underwood. touchdowns and one two-point conver- played lin hacker as a freshman sion for the Warriors in 2004. moved to f 1llhack this season. ''I've watched (Mapp) play sine<' he was ''All fmll HliYS are quality peo in the ninth grade, and I'm happy for we are h. I'PY to see them me him," Underwood said. "He is getting an Underwoo !>Hid. outstanding scholarship from n JWivnte Undei'W( Kl said the team will 1 institution out in Oklahonut I know he four d('J)I! lin~ players, and he will be an asset to them." rest of tilt' l·:ccc football staff arE Ficklin, a product of Morton .II inh work on ll c• n~c~uiting trails loo School, played both offense ami dPff'nsc new plnyr • lew next year's squad for ECCC in the last 1\'