By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com
Consequences of last week's winter weather may have prevented local high school football players from an official ceremony, yet six seniors from Madisonville-North Hopkins announced intent to advance their athletic careers on Wednesday's National Signing Day.
The players committed to three different schools in three states after the conclusion of solid high-school careers.
"One thing that I've always promised them is if they did what I asked them to do, I would help them try to get to the next level," Maroon coach Will Weaver said. "We've got multiple guys that have had great careers and have some opportunities at the next level."
The trio of Jesse Donahue, Jaquez Samuel and Chris Scisney will attend Antelope Valley College (Calif.). Iven Jessup and Ryan Robinson will continue their football endeavors at Georgetown College, but are awaiting official packages, and Matt Levin will go to Henderson State University (Ark.).
Robinson and Scisney, both running backs, represent nearly 80 percent of North's rushing yardage from the 2008 season. Scisney, a 5-11, 218-pound back, amassed 672 yards and six touchdowns on the ground during his junior and senior seasons while 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.
Also on the offensive side of the ball, North will lose its quarterback in Levin, who 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.
The players committed to three different schools in three states after the conclusion of solid high-school careers.
"One thing that I've always promised them is if they did what I asked them to do, I would help them try to get to the next level," Maroon coach Will Weaver said. "We've got multiple guys that have had great careers and have some opportunities at the next level."
The trio of Jesse Donahue, Jaquez Samuel and Chris Scisney will attend Antelope Valley College (Calif.). Iven Jessup and Ryan Robinson will continue their football endeavors at Georgetown College, but are awaiting official packages, and Matt Levin will go to Henderson State University (Ark.).
Robinson and Scisney, both running backs, represent nearly 80 percent of North's rushing yardage from the 2008 season. Scisney, a 5-11, 218-pound back, amassed 672 yards and six touchdowns on the ground during his junior and senior seasons while 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.
Also on the offensive side of the ball, North will lose its quarterback in Levin, who 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.
Defensively, Donahue, Jessup and Samuel represent North's top three tacklers. 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.
Samuel, a 5-11, 185 pound defender, had four fewer tackles than Jessup, but posted a team-high 89 solo tackles and also had three interceptions. Donahue, at 6-1, 175 pounds, broke the century mark with 111 tackles and recorded a team-high six picks.
In order to provide a signing day opportunity for as many players as possible, Weaver works hard year round by producing highlight tapes and staying in touch with college coaches.
Despite Weaver's efforts, the decisions are made between the athletes and the college coaches.
"(The kids) can usually tell if a place is for them or not, and I tell them it's not only just about football," Weaver said. "It's about the academics, they have to check out the town and see if they feel comfortable there.
"We try to get them to stay overnight at a college, so they can truly feel what the place is like. After that, it's up to the coaches. There's only so much we can do. It comes down to how they interview when they get with the coaches and their grades and the films that we put together."
Although the trio of Donahue, Samuel and Scisney will be California-bound, their decision came because of Kentucky connections.
Weaver said he has a good relationship with a recruiting coordinator at Western Kentucky University and one of that individual's friends is Antelope head coach Perry Jehlicka.
Jehlicka began his coaching career at Eastern Kentucky University in 1996 and his connections in the Bluegrass State may help the players to later transfer home to larger schools, Weaver said.
As of Wednesday, just six players had committed, but several other Maroon players plan to continue their careers.
Lineman T.J Gibbons (5-11, 275 pounds) plans to walk on at University of the Cumberlands and fellow lineman Nick Hanvy (6-3, 280 pounds) has visited Centre College, Georgetown, Kentucky Wesleyan College and Murray State University thus far.
Wide receiver L.J. Gregory turned down an offer from Georgetown and will pursue academics at the University of Louisville. Kicker Rush Dugger has yet to make a decision regarding his football career.
When the students return to school, a proper signing ceremony will be held, Weaver said.
Information regarding players from Hopkins County Central was not available at the time of press.
Samuel, a 5-11, 185 pound defender, had four fewer tackles than Jessup, but posted a team-high 89 solo tackles and also had three interceptions. Donahue, at 6-1, 175 pounds, broke the century mark with 111 tackles and recorded a team-high six picks.
In order to provide a signing day opportunity for as many players as possible, Weaver works hard year round by producing highlight tapes and staying in touch with college coaches.
Despite Weaver's efforts, the decisions are made between the athletes and the college coaches.
"(The kids) can usually tell if a place is for them or not, and I tell them it's not only just about football," Weaver said. "It's about the academics, they have to check out the town and see if they feel comfortable there.
"We try to get them to stay overnight at a college, so they can truly feel what the place is like. After that, it's up to the coaches. There's only so much we can do. It comes down to how they interview when they get with the coaches and their grades and the films that we put together."
Although the trio of Donahue, Samuel and Scisney will be California-bound, their decision came because of Kentucky connections.
Weaver said he has a good relationship with a recruiting coordinator at Western Kentucky University and one of that individual's friends is Antelope head coach Perry Jehlicka.
Jehlicka began his coaching career at Eastern Kentucky University in 1996 and his connections in the Bluegrass State may help the players to later transfer home to larger schools, Weaver said.
As of Wednesday, just six players had committed, but several other Maroon players plan to continue their careers.
Lineman T.J Gibbons (5-11, 275 pounds) plans to walk on at University of the Cumberlands and fellow lineman Nick Hanvy (6-3, 280 pounds) has visited Centre College, Georgetown, Kentucky Wesleyan College and Murray State University thus far.
Wide receiver L.J. Gregory turned down an offer from Georgetown and will pursue academics at the University of Louisville. Kicker Rush Dugger has yet to make a decision regarding his football career.
When the students return to school, a proper signing ceremony will be held, Weaver said.
Information regarding players from Hopkins County Central was not available at the time of press.
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