By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com
Friends, coaches, players and administrators gathered on Wednesday afternoon at the Madisonville-North Hopkins High School library to watch as six Maroon football players dotted the lines of their respective national letters of intent.
The seniors committed to four different schools with half of the players staying in state and the others playing in Arkansas and California.
Head football coach Will Weaver conducted the ceremonies and said many fine things of the players that will continue their careers.
"They've led and done everything we've asked them to do," he said. "One of the things we've preached to our guys is if you'll do everything we ask you to do and keep your grades up, keep your attitude right, then we'll do everything we can to find a place for you after high school."
Originally slated to attend Georgetown College, Iven Jessup and Ryan Robinson have chosen to pursue football at Murray State University.
Weaver said the decision to switch schools came a week and a half ago when he took the pair to visit Murray and Austin Peay State University (Tenn.).
The duo felt they fit with the Racers' program and it was more affordable than Georgetown, a private school, Weaver said.
The seniors committed to four different schools with half of the players staying in state and the others playing in Arkansas and California.
Head football coach Will Weaver conducted the ceremonies and said many fine things of the players that will continue their careers.
"They've led and done everything we've asked them to do," he said. "One of the things we've preached to our guys is if you'll do everything we ask you to do and keep your grades up, keep your attitude right, then we'll do everything we can to find a place for you after high school."
Originally slated to attend Georgetown College, Iven Jessup and Ryan Robinson have chosen to pursue football at Murray State University.
Weaver said the decision to switch schools came a week and a half ago when he took the pair to visit Murray and Austin Peay State University (Tenn.).
The duo felt they fit with the Racers' program and it was more affordable than Georgetown, a private school, Weaver said.
Robinson, at 5-10, 180 pounds, manufactured 645 yards and seven scores in his senior year. In addition to his running abilities, Robinson led the team in receiving with 44 catches for 555 yards.
Jessup claimed the top-tackling honor in 2008 with 165 takedowns. The 5-11, 165-pound senior also collected three interceptions and two fumble recoveries. Jessup will play safety at the collegiate level.
Defensive lineman T.J. Gibbons will also be staying in state and will play at the University of the Cumberlands. Like Jessup and Robinson, Gibbons' initial arrangements have also changed recently. Gibbons intended to walk on at the school, but now has been offered a scholarship package.
Gibbons finished the 2008 season with more than 30 tackles, six hurries and two sacks.
Maroon quarterback Matt Levin signed papers announcing his desire to play at Henderson State University (Ark.).
Levin passed for 2,078 yards in 2008. Levin, 5-11, 165 pounds, led the offense by completing 63 percent of his passes and throwing for 11 touchdowns. In an injury-shortened junior campaign, Levin completed 64-of-92 passes for nine scores in six games.
Weaver said Levin saw the field well and acted as another coach by recognizing defenses and checking down accordingly.
The two Maroons making the furthest trek to move on will be Jesse Donahue and Jaquez Samuel, two of North's top defenders the past two seasons.
Donahue and Samuel plan to attend Antelope Valley College (Calif.), a junior college.
Samuel, a 5-11, 185 pound defender, had 161 tackles and posted a team-high 89 solo tackles and also had three interceptions.
Weaver said Samuel "has his best football ahead of him."
Donahue, a free safety at 6-1, 175 pounds, broke the century mark with 111 tackles and recorded a team-high six picks.
During Donahue's introduction, Weaver said Antelope's last free safety just signed with Iowa State University and the school's head coach believes Donahue has potential to be even better.
It's crucial to have a high school teammate when moving onto college ball, Weaver said.
"That's critical," he said. "They have more of a chance to have someone there that will push them and some familiar faces around always helps, especially going out to California."
Antelope also sent running back Chris Scisney an offer, but he has declined. North's L.J. Gregory has also turned down offers to play collegially. Lineman Nick Hanvy narrowed his prospective list from four colleges to Centre College and Kentucky Wesleyan.
Each player thanked God, their parents, coaches and teammates as they signed their letters of intent.
Levin made sure to thank his "big guys" up front for protecting him as well.
Jessup had a few words of wisdom for the younger players in the crowd.
"I want to stress to my teammates to work hard and put your heart into everything," he said.
Donahue thanked Jessup and Samuel for helping him work hard in the offseason and making the defense one of the top 10 in the state.
Despite the loss of talent from this year's graduating class, Weaver said he's confident North will be just as competitive if not more in the upcoming season thanks to the 2009 senior class.
"They just had a vision and this is a senior group that actually helped us turn the corner," Weaver said. "There's no reason you can't have a winner here every year.
"It reminds me of what we did at Ft. Campbell. It took them five years down there to build a state championship and we're definitely heading in that direction."
Jessup claimed the top-tackling honor in 2008 with 165 takedowns. The 5-11, 165-pound senior also collected three interceptions and two fumble recoveries. Jessup will play safety at the collegiate level.
Defensive lineman T.J. Gibbons will also be staying in state and will play at the University of the Cumberlands. Like Jessup and Robinson, Gibbons' initial arrangements have also changed recently. Gibbons intended to walk on at the school, but now has been offered a scholarship package.
Gibbons finished the 2008 season with more than 30 tackles, six hurries and two sacks.
Maroon quarterback Matt Levin signed papers announcing his desire to play at Henderson State University (Ark.).
Levin passed for 2,078 yards in 2008. Levin, 5-11, 165 pounds, led the offense by completing 63 percent of his passes and throwing for 11 touchdowns. In an injury-shortened junior campaign, Levin completed 64-of-92 passes for nine scores in six games.
Weaver said Levin saw the field well and acted as another coach by recognizing defenses and checking down accordingly.
The two Maroons making the furthest trek to move on will be Jesse Donahue and Jaquez Samuel, two of North's top defenders the past two seasons.
Donahue and Samuel plan to attend Antelope Valley College (Calif.), a junior college.
Samuel, a 5-11, 185 pound defender, had 161 tackles and posted a team-high 89 solo tackles and also had three interceptions.
Weaver said Samuel "has his best football ahead of him."
Donahue, a free safety at 6-1, 175 pounds, broke the century mark with 111 tackles and recorded a team-high six picks.
During Donahue's introduction, Weaver said Antelope's last free safety just signed with Iowa State University and the school's head coach believes Donahue has potential to be even better.
It's crucial to have a high school teammate when moving onto college ball, Weaver said.
"That's critical," he said. "They have more of a chance to have someone there that will push them and some familiar faces around always helps, especially going out to California."
Antelope also sent running back Chris Scisney an offer, but he has declined. North's L.J. Gregory has also turned down offers to play collegially. Lineman Nick Hanvy narrowed his prospective list from four colleges to Centre College and Kentucky Wesleyan.
Each player thanked God, their parents, coaches and teammates as they signed their letters of intent.
Levin made sure to thank his "big guys" up front for protecting him as well.
Jessup had a few words of wisdom for the younger players in the crowd.
"I want to stress to my teammates to work hard and put your heart into everything," he said.
Donahue thanked Jessup and Samuel for helping him work hard in the offseason and making the defense one of the top 10 in the state.
Despite the loss of talent from this year's graduating class, Weaver said he's confident North will be just as competitive if not more in the upcoming season thanks to the 2009 senior class.
"They just had a vision and this is a senior group that actually helped us turn the corner," Weaver said. "There's no reason you can't have a winner here every year.
"It reminds me of what we did at Ft. Campbell. It took them five years down there to build a state championship and we're definitely heading in that direction."
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