Worth County football athletes sign

SYLVESTER — As soon as the final group picture was snapped on stage in the school cafeteria, Worth County High offensive lineman Bryan Manuel could have perhaps outran the fastest sprinter to get to the media center.

Manuel wasn’t as interested in getting to the refreshments as he was getting away from the crowd, which gathered to watch he and football teammate JaDerrius Hooks sign letters of intent with a pair of national junior college powers Friday morning. Manuel signed with Eastern Arizona, while Hooks signed with Holmes (Miss.)

“I felt nervous when I was up there (on stage),” Manuel said. “I’m not used to it, public-speaking, I’m not used to that yet.”

The duo became the latest pair of Worth County standouts to sign football scholarships.

The 6-foot-7, 280-pounder had some interest from Division I schools, but he said he wants to go to Eastern Arizona, sharpen his game and hopefully land at a major Division I program in two years.

“That was the appeal, for them to develop me and hopefully go D-I somewhere else,” Manuel said. “And plus, I get to experience going to Arizona.”

Hooks, a 6-1, 225-pound defensive end, said he believed Holmes was the best place for him.

“Coaches have told me I probably won’t be there long,” he said. “So go two years, I can transfer. I just felt like that was the best decision so far, I just felt like it was the best place for me.”

The Rams made the second round of the Georgia High School Association Class AAA state playoffs for the second consecutive season. Coach Jason Tone said winning games are important, but helping players continue their education in college is equally as important.

“You try to win as many games as you can, but you also try to do what is right for the kids, try to get them a future, another opportunity to play and go somewhere to get an education,” Tone said. “The value is in the education, and you’re just fortunate enough to get to do what you love to do while you’re doing it. These two young men are blessed with that opportunity, and we have a couple of more on the verge that we should hopefully be signing in the near future.”

Tone said Hooks is fortunate because Mississippi junior college are allowed to sign only eight players from out of state. Meanwhile, he said Eastern Arizona sent nine players to Division I schools last season. He said he couldn’t be happier for his players.

“To get a scholarship offer from a Mississippi junior college is a good opportunity,” Tone said. “It’s a great opportunity for Hooks. Eastern Arizona is producing a lot of talent. It’s a good opportunity for (Manuel) to mature a little more. He’s already mature academically, so hopefully he’ll get out there, compete with college-level athletes and move on from there.”