Four beaming faces were introduced to a crowd that included students, teachers, family and friends in a ceremony in the Gadsden County High School Media Center last Wednesday afternoon.
Kishion Grandberry, Denterrius Yon, Randall Copeland and Kaos Carter all signed football grant-in-aids during the well-organized event.
All four signees were named to past Herald-Hardee’s All-County football squads and gained other accolades during their high school playing time.
Grandberry (5-10, 175 lbs.), signed the dotted line with Charleston University in West Virginia where he also wants to work on a degree in biochemistry.
A fleet, hard-charging running back, Grandberry earned All-Big Bend honors this year while rushing for more than 1,100 yards. Grandberry thanked everyone who helped him along the way and wants “everyone in Gadsden County to keep him in their prayers as he goes off to college.”
Yon (6-3, 175 lbs.), dotted the lines with Savannah State in Georgia.
Yon passed for more than 2,000 yards this past year and was the Florida Milk Association’s Class A Player-of-the Year in 2016.
He plans to get a business degree and feels he will be “in the thick of things to earn the starting quarterback nod even as a freshman.
Copeland (6-2, 225 lbs.), was a first-team All-Big Bend selection this year. He signed with South Florida and wants to obtain a degree in computer science or engineering at the Tampa school.
“I feel good about getting to play under Charlie Strong at South Florida.” said Copeland, who was one of the area’s leading tacklers from his linebacker position the past two years.
Carter (5-11, 265 lbs.), was an honorable mention All-Big Bend offensive lineman this year. He signed with Central Iowa College and will study to gain a business degree at the Pella institution.
“I feel comfortable going to Central Iowa” said Carter. “I think I can help the football team even as a freshman.”
“It is a great day for Gadsden High.” commented Gadsden High head football coach Joey Striplin. “It shows what can be achieved with hard work and dedication which is what these young men have shown.”
“Hopefully there will be some more signings in the coming days,” Striplin concluded.
By Joe Ferolito
sports@prioritynews.net