Lee County’s Josh West, Bernard McCray sign letters of intent
Ken Gustafson
LEESBURG — Two Lee County High School football players signed letters of intent Wednesday to continue their football careers in college.
Left guard Josh West and wide receiver Bernard McCray will continue their football careers at Avila University and Dean Junior College respectively.
West chose Avila University, an NAIA school in Kansas City, over Coastal Carolina, Reinhardt and Troy University because he wanted to be with his former teammate and friend, former Lee County right guard Shabari Jones.
McCray signed with Dean in Franklin, Mass.
“They run a spread offense just like we ran here,” McCray said. “They’re going to put me into the slot so I shouldn’t have any problems.”
The signings of West and McCray make it 11 for Lee County.
“I’m really proud of all these 11 seniors,” Lee coach Dean Fabrizio said. “Josh has been an integral part of the program. He’s started at center, guard, tackle and fullback for us over the last two years. Avila University is getting a good football player.”
Fabrizio had equal praise for McCray.
“Bernard McCray has been a huge part of our offense for the last two years as a receiver,” Fabrizio said. “He’s been an All-Region player. He’s another one that is going to be tough to replace. We’re really excited for the opportunity these two young men are going to have.”
Two teammates of West and McCray, junior offensive lineman Chris Barnes and sophomore defensive lineman Aubrey Solomon, were both inspired by the play and leadership of their teammates.
“They were both great teammates,” Barnes said. “Josh gave inspiration to us, talked to us every day. Bernard was a great guy. He gave us a lot of touchdowns this past season.”
Solomon remembered a humorous time with West.
“The first day I got on the football team, I thought I was something serious,” Solomon said. “He beat me bad. He put me in the ground pretty bad.”
West will join an Avila team that, according to head coach Justin Berna, is in desperate need of physical players.
“He is a very athletic kid for being 235 to 240 pounds,” Berna said.
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