Westover sends two more to next level

ALBANY — Earlier this month, an Atlanta newspaper reported that more than 4,000 former Georgia high school players were on college rosters this past season. The report also stated that Westover High contributed 22 of those players, the most in its region.

Wednesday afternoon, they added two more count as Montravious Richardson signed with Mississippi State and William Green with Jones County (Miss.) Junior College.

Richardson, a 6-foot-7 tackle/guard, garnered looks from five different schools. He said in the end, it came down to loyalty.

“I love me some State. They were the ones that gave me my first offer and I stayed loyal to them,” he said. “They took me in like I was family, like my family here with me today. It’s a family thing for me.”

Richardson added that the family atmosphere starts with the coaching staff and works its way down.

“Coach [Dan] Mullen, he’s a great coach,” Richardson said. “Coach [John] Hevesy, the offensive line coach, them two, they just remind me of my father and my granddaddy and all of that, so it’s something special about them two.”

Richardson noted that the year will be a learning process, but he said he’s going to do all he can to be ready when his number is called.

“I want to be a team player, come in, learn the system, hopefully get some playing time,” he said. “But if that don’t happen, I’ll still be a team player and cheer the guys on. Hopefully we’ll win a bowl game or a national championship.”

Green, a 6-foot-6 tackle will also be in the state of Mississippi. He said he felt Jones County was the perfect place for him to focus on his studies while he sharpens his skills on the field.

“The reason I picked Jones County is because I felt it would help me academic-wise and it’ll make me a better football player on and off the field,” he said.

Regardless of the routes taken, Westover head coach Octavia Jones said he believes both young men have the chance to be special players at the college level.

“Those two institutions are getting two very good players,” he said. “Both of those guys, their ceilings are still high. They still have some work to do, but on the next level, they’re definitely going to be able to improve their skills and become the type of players their schools need for them to be.”

Jones added that producing as much college-level talent as they have is a true to testament to the type of players they have and the work they’ve put in.

“It’s just a testament to the kids,” he said. “I’m one of the coaches who firmly believes coaches do not get players scholarships, players get themselves scholarships. It’s just up to us as coaches to give them the guidance that they need to put them in the right position to achieve those scholarships. Our young men have definitely worked their tails off to put themselves in this position in the classroom and on the field, and we’re very proud of them.”