Fifteen Aldine ISD senior football players saw their years of hard work in the classroom and on the field handsomely rewarded when they signed national letters of intent on Wednesday, Feb. 6, the first day high school senior football players could accept college scholarships.
The AISD seniors accepted scholarships to schools all over the country, from Minnesota to Texas.
Nimitz High School led the way as 10 senior Cougars signed to continue their football careers and more importantly, receive a free college education.
This is a special group of young men who have worked hard to reach this milestone in their lives, Nimitz head coach Randy Rowe said to the audience, which included the players parents and underclassmen.
Rowe then directed his remarks to the sophomore and junior athletes in the audience about the sacrifices the 10 individuals on the stage made to reach this day.
What these guys have done is they have paid the price and earned it (the scholarships) in the classroom, Rowe said. Football is a fun game to play, but were here to get an education. The first thing college coaches ask about you guys has nothing to do with how many yards you gained, how big you are or how fast you are. They want to know about your test scores and grades. These men paid the price and now they are going to college to further their education and to better their lives.
Senior defensive tackle David Johnson signed with Syracuse, while offensive lineman Chris Phipps signed with Yale University. Phipps scored 1400 on his SAT and is following in his father Daryls (an assistant football coach at Eisenhower High) footsteps. Daryl Phipps also attended an Ivy League school, Cornell. Isnt that something? his father said following the signing ceremony.
Also earning scholarships were defensive end Olushola Obafemi, who signed with Southwest Texas State, quarterback Eric Julien, who signed with Southern Arkansas, tight end Clint Lahman, who signed with Ouachita Baptist University, running back Dondtray Thomas, who signed with Harding College, running backs Ty Stewart and Eric Blanson, who signed with Trinity Valley College and linebacker Elijah Ridgell and Kentreal Means, who signed with Kilgore College.
Eisenhower High School had three players sign on Wednesday. Head coach Richard Carson also held a signing ceremony for the players families and added he was proud of what the three had accomplished during their four years in the football program.
Were proud of these young men, he said. The best thing about this group is that they come from great families. I want to commend you (their parents) for the job youve done with these young men. I know theyll make us proud.
Carson then presented the three, quarterback Ricky Murphy, and defensive ends Reginald Kelly and Brandon Perkins, with a challenge.
You guys are going to places where we really havent sent guys before, so Im putting pressure on you to be our ambassadors so these three schools come back here in the future.
Murphy signed with Southwest Texas State, while Kelly signed with Sam Houston State University and Perkins inked with the U. of Kansas.
Aldine High School had two players sign Division I scholarships. Defensive end L.C. Kirkpatrick signed with the University of Houston, while wide receiver Bobby Scyrus signed with the University of Minnesota.
Aldine High head coach Bill Smith said he was happy for his two players and the opportunity they have before them.
This is a big day in these two young mens lives and for their families, said Smith, a graduate of the University of Houston. I wish them well and I hope they realize the great opportunity they now have, to earn a college education. Thats the most important thing.
MacArthur High School head coach Terry Forga said he did not have any players sign on Feb. 6. He is hoping to have a couple of players sign at a later date.