2005

- e keep a list of the players here who sign (with four-year .;choob) on a computer, and en we go out recruiting, we show that to all the kids. A wide variety of kids go to a wide variety of places and levels. "We tell them that we can't promise any certain level, but we want them to know that they'll be promoted from here and have an opportunity to con– tinue their education and play. I think that's a big selling point." Eichelberger had planned on signing with UAB before Blazers coach Wat on Brown withdrew the scholarship offer late in the recruiting stage. Both Mantrell Ashford, a 6- foo t-2, 235-pound defensive end/linebacker, and strong safety Derrell Ashford (5-10, 195) of Louisville inked with the University of North Alabama. MantreU was a second-team all-state pick and played in the MACJC All-Star Game. He had 43 solo tackles and 17 assists to go v.ith a team-high five sacks. Dc::rrell had 38 tackles and 10 assists along with an inter– ception. He was honorable mention all-state. Wide receiver Derrick Harris (6-2, 185) of Union signed with Jacksonville (Ala.) State University. Harris had 679 receiving yards and scored five touchdowns. He was a first– team all-state selection and played in the all-star game. Offensive lineman Derrick Cleveland (6-2, 280) of Newton County inked with Belhaven College. He was honorable mention all-state. Defensive lineman Michael Johnson (5-9, 255) of Newton County, tight end Cameron Tawater (6-2, 230) of Philadel– phia and tight end/defensive end Willie Hickmon (6-5, 215) of Lake all signed with Missis– sippi College. Johnson, Tawater, and Hickmon were all honorable mention all-staters. Free safety Robert McNair (6-3, 190) of Florence also signed with the University of North Alabama. He had 36 tackles and 15 assists along with one interception. -

Underwood happy with ECCC's class By Marty Stamper staff writer DECATUR- East Central

F1 r , gnee::. come from , tile - defensive back khael Sims (6-2, 175), line– oacl

We got a good variety ofkids from a lot ofdifferent good programs across the state, and I think u·e've done well in our Tuscaloosa County stgnees.

Community College head foot– ball coach Terry Underwood announced the signing of 33 incoming freshmen for the 2005 football team Wednesday morning on the school's campus. Of the 33 newcomers, 19 are from ECCC's five-county dis– trict.

"I'm very

East Central cc head coac.. ford (6-0, 185) of Scott Central, Terry Unde~ defensive lineman/fullback

happy,"

Underwood said. "We got

Jerry Triplett (5-11, 260) of

what we feel linebacker Alfred Pettway(~ like is the 220) ofWilcox Central.

Carthage,

and

linebacker/defensive end Jason Qualls (6-2, 190) of Forest Om-of-district ..;ignee-. are of Clinton. running back/"ide receiver Ken - emi - • - 2. 220)

best of our

district, and Eight more ECCC

products sign letters

you've always got to start there. Out of district, we've probably done better than we have in

Eight members of the :!

recent years. East Central Com~unit) C Chathman (5-10, 180) of Hili- "We got a good variety of lege football team stgned " · cre"t Christian School in kids from a lot of different good four-year ~ch_ools on jackson, defensive back Gary programs across the stale, and Wednesday, bnnpng the total Lind ey (5-10, 175) of Laurel, I think we've done well in our t~ 15 off l_ast years team to con- deit>nsive end/tight end Kenny Tuscaloosa County signees. ttnue ~hetr-careers. . Fuller (6-3, 230) of Madison- 'The bottom line is we think Bemg able to g~t hi-. play~r:, Ridgeland Academy, wide this group is going to be a very to the next level " -.omething receiver Cur tis Smith (5-11 solid group." ECCC head t )ach Terr 185) of Mendenhall safetY Good enough to hang with Unde:~ood stre-. e-. in h ' Kruz Long (6-2, 195) ofJackson the likes of Pearl River, Hinds, resrutb~g each. year. Provine, offensive lineman and Jones? That s 15 nght now. anc I Ross Tew (6-'1, 280) of Stringer, "We hope so," Underwood l~ok for three or four more defensive lineman Carlos Mot- said. "tgn out of ou_r group of - fett (6-2, 260) of Taylorsville Underwood signed four ('ophomores). Underwoc..i and wide receiver Randall players from Philadelphia - said. MWe're proud of that. Lofton (6-2 180) of Wayne defensive back/wide receiver M(Lineba~kt:r) Sed Eich· :County. ' Jeremy Holmes (6-0, 180.J. full- berger h~sn .t Stgned yet_ and 1 Tuscaloosa County signees back Dustin Crockett (6-0. ~20). know h~ ll stgn. He s g mgt are wide receiver Alan Stewart offensive lineman Kerr)' ~e a trip to ~1urray <:;t.., e :m I (6-3, 185) of Holt, Ala., defen– Hudson (5-11, 270) and offen- ~outhwest ~fissoun. H JU~ sive lineman Jesse Badgewell sive lineman Johnathan Picken-. hasn't visited everybody d (6-2, 280) of Paul W. Bryant (6-3, 315). he wanted to~ High School in Tuscaloosa, Newton County quarter- "Thet;t we ve got a cou running back/wide receiver back/safety Colby Arnis (f>-10, more. hke (strong safe) David McCants (5-10, 180) of 175) inked with the Warnor:. Cednc Gray and (offen-.t· Tuscaloosa County High Also bound for Decatur are tackle) James Ozment that School and Gffensive lineman Neshoba Central defen ive sign. Brad Snyder (6-2, 270) of lineman Kenyon Boatman (6-2, o,J Tuscaloosa County High. 245) and fullback/linebacker The lone signee counting Kevin Marshall (5-10. 200). against the out-of-state total is Three of the newcomer~ are~URNAL from Noxapater - tight..; - - ----

end/defensive end Dedrick Bates (6-2, 240), r unning_ _________ back/linebacker Desmond Graham (5-10, 200), and quar··---------- terback DeAngelo Carter (6-0 190).

CLARION-LEDGER-- ----