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Taking It To The Next Level

[av_gallery ids=’5749,5750,5751,5752,5753,5754,5755,5756′ style=’thumbnails’ preview_size=’portfolio’ crop_big_preview_thumbnail=’avia-gallery-big-crop-thumb’ thumb_size=’gallery’ columns=’4′ imagelink=’lightbox’ lazyload=’avia_lazyload’] [av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=”] Their high school football seasons are in the rear view mirror, but several Columbus-area football players will be taking their game to the next level of play. Eighteen local athletes signed with Division I schools, extending their football careers and giving them an opportunity to become collegiate athletes. In the Game asked those Division I signees to gather as a group before heading off to their prospective colleges and universities. Eight athletes responded and are featured here.

Name: Toron Morten

Parents: Darren Morten and Kelinda Morten

High school: Central High School

Height: 6’1 ½”

Weight: 227

Position: Linebacker

High school coach: Jamey Dubose

College: Tennessee Tech University

How long have you been playing football? Since I was 5 years old.

Favorite food: BBQ boneless wings

Favorite movie: Brotherly Love

Favorite sports team (college or professional): Kansas City Chiefs

Person you most admire: My father

One reason you enjoy the sport of football: I like to hit people really hard.

Future goals: To graduate college and get my degree. I also want to win a championship at my college.

Name: Walter Pritchett II

Parents: Yolanda Maddox and Walter Pritchett

High school: Central High School

Height: 6’2”

Weight: 220

Position: Linebacker

High school coach: Jamey Dubose

College: Troy University

How long have you been playing football? Since I was 4 (13 years).

Favorite food: Hot wings

Favorite movie: Transporter

Favorite sports team (college or professional): Kansas City Chiefs

Person you most admire: My mom

One reason you enjoy the sport of football: I love competition.

Future goals: Ben on the academic honor roll at Troy. Win the Sun Belt back-to-back-to-back. Win three bowl games.

Name: Deyon Hicks

Parents: Shayla Jones

High school: Hardaway High School

Height: 6’2”

Weight: 180

Position: Cornerback

High school coach: Jeff Battles

College: Troy University

How long have you been playing football? Eight years

Favorite food: Shrimp

Favorite movie: The Wood

Favorite sports team (college or professional): Carolina Panthers

Person you most admire: My granddad

One reason you enjoy the sport of football: I love the contact.

Future goals: I plan to be a business owner.

Name: Markus Wright

Parents: Tanema Willock and Stuart Willock

High school: Jordan Vocational High School

Height: 6’2”

Weight: 223

Position: Linebacker/Safety/Wide Receiver/Tight End

High school coach: Jim Brown

College: Army-West Point

How long have you been playing football? Since sixth grade

Favorite food: Mac & Cheese

Favorite movie: Now You See Me

Favorite sports team (college or professional): Seattle Seahawks

Person you most admire: My mother

One reason you enjoy the sport of football: Football challenges me to think and react quickly in critical situations.

Future goals: I plan to attend West Point and branch off into the military intelligence sector. Upon the completion of my military service, I hope to obtain a job with the CIA, which has always been my dream.

Name: Jacob Rovig

Parents: Tim and Tracie Rovig

High school: Harris County High School

Height: 6’0”

Weight: 205

Position: Linebacker/Running Back

High school coach: Dwight Jones

College: Stetson University

How long have you been playing football? 14 years

Favorite food: Prime Rib

Favorite movie: Shooter

Favorite team (college or professional): Georgia Bulldogs

Person you most admire: Tim Tebow

One reason you enjoy the sport of football: The intensity, and feelings you get while playing the game you love.

Future goals: Train hard and succeed at the Division I collegiate level

Name: Juan O’Neal

Parents: Ron and Leisa O’Neal

High school: Harris County High School

Height: 5’9”

Weight: 170

Position: Cornerback/Wide Receiver

High school coach: Dwight Jones

College: Stetson University

How long have you been playing football? 14 years

Favorite food: Chicken Alfredo

Favorite movie: Remember the Titans

Favorite sports team (college or professional): Dallas Cowboys

Person you most admire: Emmitt Smith

One reason you enjoy the sport of football: The feeling you get before running onto the field; when you hit someone and when you make a big play.

Future goals: Become a dentist

Name: DeAndre’ Bowman II

Parents: DeAndre’ and Chari Bowman

High school: Pacelli High School

Height: 5’10”

Weight: 175

Position: Slot Receiver/Defensive Back

High school coach: Alan Griffin

College: Georgia State University

How long have you been playing football? 13 years

Favorite food: Chinese food

Favorite movie: Boyz N the Hood

Favorite sports team (college or professional): USC Trojans

Person you most admire: My father and Reggie Bush

One reason you enjoy the sport of football: The rush and action of the sport

Future goals: Going to the NFL

Name: Ben Davis

Parents: Chuck and Julie Davis

High school: Pacelli High School

Height: 6’1”

Weight: 220

Position: Linebacker/Athlete

High school coach: Alan Griffin

College: Davidson College

How long have you been playing football? 13 years

Favorite food: Pasta

Favorite movie: Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby

Favorite sports team (college or professional): Brooklyn Nets

Person you most admire: Luke Kuechly and Bram Kohlhausen

One reason you enjoy the sport of football: Being able to hit people so hard their mommas scream.

Future goals: To have a family/son

DIVISION I SIGNEES

NAME                                                      HIGH SCHOOL                                 COLLEGE

Jawon Pass                                                Carver High School                                   Louisville

Javontay Smith                                         Carver High School                               East Carolina

Fred Williams                                           Carver High School                              Grambling State

John Broussard                                        Central High School                                   Auburn

Jamal Couch                                             Central High School                            Mississippi State

Darius King                                               Central High School                              Alabama State

Toron Morton                                           Central High School                             Tennessee Tech

Walter Pritchett                                       Central High School                                      Troy

Quan Weaver                                            Central High School                              Southern Miss

Essang Bassey                                        Columbus High School                             Wake Forest

Deyon Hicks                                           Hardaway High School                                  Troy

Jacob Rovig                                        Harris County High School                            Stetson

Juan O’Neal                                        Harris County High School                           Stetson

Markus Wright                                         Jordan High School                                    Army

DeAndre Bowman                                   Pacelli High School                              Georgia State

Ben Davis                                                  Pacelli High School                                 Davidson

Jacob Favor                                         Smith Station High School                   Northern Arizona

Vada King                                            Smith Station High School                     Arkansas State


Columbus Valley/April 2016

Division I football signees

Columbus area high schools

Columbus, Georgia

Taking it to the next level

By Beth Welch

Photos by Jerry Christenson

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