Thursday, Feb. 12, 2009

RNE signees ready to take next step in their careers

The scene was a bit overwhelming for Richland Northeast football players — Gee Greene, Derek Frost, Shawn White, Harrison Oxendine and Dominique Jacobs.

The teammates, along with fellow RNE football standout Chris Bonds, signed National Letters of Intent to continue their football careers on National Signing Day Feb. 4.

Frost, a wide receiver, signed with Presbyterian College even though the Blue Hose lost its head coach prior to signing day. Bobby Bentley left PC after two years to take a high school administrative job,

“It didn’t really (affect) the decision to go there because the new coach (Harold Nichols) is probably more stricker than Coach Bentley was, but we’re still be running the same offense.”

That means the Blue Hose will be running a wide-open, spread offense — a wide receivers’ dream.

Greene, who ran for 1,091 yards and nine touchdowns last season and was selected to the Shrine Bowl, chose Navy over Wofford.

“I went to visit over the weekend (before signing day) and Sunday morning I decided after I met with the head coach,” said Greene, who chose Navy over Wofford. “I thought about Wofford (the night before signing day) and I just felt like Navy was the best place for me even though I couldn’t go wrong with either school.”

White, a defensive back, and Oxendine, a linebacker, will be playing for Tusculum College next season.

Richland Northeast coach Jay Frye said White was one of the best open field tacklers he has coached. He made 56 tackles, two interceptions and broke up eight passes last season.

Oxendine recorded 97 tackles, inclidonh 14 for loss and six quarterback hurries in 2008. He was selected and played in the North-South All-Star Game.

Jacobs, a defensive end, signed with Newberry College.

“They were closer to home and have a good tradition in football,” Jacobs said.

Bonds signed with Alabama.

“It’s a great group,” Frye said. “Anytime you have six guys signing it is a tremendous honor for our school and a tremendous honor for these young me. They’re quality kids, quality students and quality athletes.”

Bulldogs’ Outten signs

Camden High’s inside linebacker/fullback Chris Outten signed a national letter of intent to play at Feather River (Calif). Community College.

Outten, a 6-foot-1, 235-pounder, finished with 135 total tackles, including 91 solos in 2008. He also played in the North-South all-star game.

“I felt like it was a good opportunity to continue to play football and get a higher education,” Outten said. “It’s a long way, but it’s the best thing for me right now.”

Outten said Feather River, a junior college, will also give more of an opportunity to sign with a major college.

“I felt like if I wasn’t going to D1 (on signing day) than this would give me a shot,” he said. “I’ll make the best of my opportunity there.”

Blazers to play college ball

Ridge View High had four players signed college football scholarships on National Signing Day Feb. .

Greg Adams, a wide receiver who caught 42 passes for 589 yards and six touchdowns last season, signed with The Citadel.

Steffon Batts, a cornerback, will play for the Air Force Academy. Last season Batts had 17 tackles and eight deflections.

David Davis, who had three interceptions last season and five as a junior, signed with N.C. Central.

“At first I didn’t think it was going to be a good fit, but when I went on my official visit, it turned out pretty good for me.” Davis said of N.C. Central. “I was waiting to see what else (offers) I had, but in the end I was being loyal. They were recruiting me since my junior year and so I might as well stick with them.”

Jordan Stoval, a punter who averaged 34.6 yards per punt last season, will play at Hampton University.

High school golf tournament scheduled

The Tenth Annual Capitol Classic Invitational High School Golf Championship will be held on March 12-13. Twenty-five of the best teams in South Carolina will be participating.

The opening round will be played at Wildewood Country Club, followed by a banquet hosted by Spring Valley High School. The final round will be played at Woodlands Country Club followed by the presentation of individual and team awards.

Lunches will be provided by Chic-Fil-A, Firehouse Subs, and Beef-O-Brady's. Drinks are courtesy of Coca-Cola of Columbia. Additional donations would be appreciated. For further information contact Ron Caldwell at Spring Valley High School 699-3500 ext. 69914.

Blythewood athletes commit to colleges

Four Blythewood High student-athletes signed national letters of intent on National Signing Day Feb. 4. Justin Anderson, Torrence Daniel, Mandy Brandon, and Blake Kirven each signed

their commitments in a ceremony at the high school.

Anderson committed to play football at the University of Maryland. The senior defensive end was a Shrine Bowl selection this season and was recently named All-Area Class 4A Defensive Player of the Year. He is the only player in the school’s four-year history to start every game.

Daniel will attend Elizabeth City State University in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. Daniel played on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball for the Bengals in 2008, finishing the season as a top linebacker on the team.

Brandon signed to run cross country at Erskine College and Kirven, a four-year member of the Blythewood soccer program, has committed to attend college at Spartanburg Methodist College in Spartanburg.

The four athletes join four other Bengal seniors who have previously committed to continue their careers next year after graduating from Blythewood High School. As more senior athletes at Blythewood begin to make college choices, the number of athletes committed to athletic scholarships will likely increase.

Also signing for Blythewood: Baseball — Daniel Andreu, USC-Sumter; Michael Hanzlik, Gardner-Webb.

Boy's Soccer — Blake Kirvenm Spartanburg Methodist.

Girl's Soccer: Taylor Coulter, Columbia College; Beth Marini - Columbia College.

Reach Davis at (803) 771-8442

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