ELLAVILLE —
National Signing Day on Wednesday was a huge day for colleges across the country. For Schley County High School, National Signing Day was a bittersweet end to the careers of six of the school’s top football players. Although the six standouts would not suit up and take the field for the Wildcats again, they will go on to represent the ‘Cats at the college level after participating in the school’s largest National Signing Day ever and giving Schley County their first-ever Division I athlete.
Colby Crawford was up first for the Wildcats on signing day, and his signature made history for not only the football program, but for the whole Schley County athletic department. As Crawford signed his scholarship players to play for Division I Drake University, he became the first Wildcat to sign a scholarship with a NCAA Division I school. Crawford will now make the long trip the Des Moines, Iowa to represent Schley County High School on the defending Pioneer Football League champion Drake University football team.
Crawford’s high school career at Schley County was cut shot after suffering a torn ACL early in the Wildcats 2012 season. Although he did not play most of the season for Schley County this year, Crawford still landed on the Times-Recorder’s All-Area Honorable Mention team after hauling in 20 catches for 296 yards and two touchdowns in only six games this season.
Schley County head coach Josh Kemp said that although he had some bud luck with injuries during his senior season, the resilient Crawford kept battling and earned himself a scholarship from a tremendous Division I program. “Colby epitomizes where work ethic and determination can get you. He battled injuries all year and missed nearly the entire season, but he will still be the first athlete in school to receive a DI scholarship.”
Crawford was not the only Wildcat catching passes this season. Senior tight end Brandon Thomaston used a big senior year to earn an offer to play for Berry College in Mount Berry, Georgia. Thomaston, one of two Times-Recorder All-Area tight ends, averaged 17.31 yards per catch and 22.5 receiving yards per game this season for the ‘Cats after hauling in 13 catches for 225 yards. According to Kemp, Thomaston will not only be a valuable receiving threat, but he will also provide solid blocking. “Brandon is a dominating run blocker and he has great hands,” he said.
Any receiver will have a hard time catching passes without a solid quarterback to deliver the throws, and Schley County’s star quarterback Jack Peavy will also be heading to college after a huge senior year. Peavy signed with the Mid-South Conference powerhouse the University of the Cumberlands after throwing for over 1,000 yards and rushing for more than 270 this season. “Jack is a big, strong, talented quarterback who is a natural leader. He plans to try to get early playing time in the Cumberlands explosive offense,” said Kemp.
Peavey’s best blocker was Times-Recorder All-Area offensive lineman Dexter Mason. Mason graded out at 84 percent this season for the Wildcats and earned a spot on the Region 4-A All Region First Team as a result of his tremendous blocking. Mason will now take his talents to Pikeville, Kentucky where he will play either defensive end or offensive line for the Pikeville Bears, who reside in the same conference as Peavy’s Cumberlands Patriots. “Dexter plays the game with great passion and emotion,” said Kemp.
On the defensive side of the ball, Thad Sims also signed to play for Independence Community College in Kansas. According to Kemp, Sims has all the tools to be successful at Independence and move on to an even higher level of competition in the future. “Thad is a 6’2 260 pound defensive lineman who was not able to play this past season. His athleticism should give him a chance to play on the Division I level in the future,” Kemp said.
The last, but definitely not least signee for Schley County was described by his coach as the ‘heart of the Schley County defense.’ Jay Sanford, a linebacker for the Wildcat defense this season, will take his talents to nearby LaGrange College to play for the Panthers. Sanford landed on the Times-Recorder All-Area team after totaling 52 tackles, one sack, two fumble recoveries, one blocked punt and one blocked kick this season for Schley County. “Jay was the heart and soul of the Wildcat defense this year. He is a very instinctive player with tremendous tenacity,” Kemp said of his star linebacker.
All six Wildcats have already made their school very proud by excelling on and off the field to earn college scholarships. Schley County will certainly miss these six tremendous players, but will also be very excited to keep track of them watch them represent their hometown high school at the next stage of their football careers.
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Related Photos
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Schley County High School celebrated Nation Signing Day on Wednesday with six football players signing to play in college. On the front row (L to R) are Dexter Mason, Jay Sanford, Colby Crawford, and Brandon Thomaston. On the back row (L to R) are Schley County High School Principal Rusty Tondee, Jack Peavy, Thad Sims, and head coach Josh Kemp. Scott Phillips
Crawford signs with Division I Drake to lead group of six Schley County signees
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