Thirteen players from schools within Dallas County are moving on to play college football at the next level.

Six of those thirteen are from Selma High School, where the Saints continued what is becoming a National Signing Day tradition of churning players out to major colleges. Saints head coach Leroy Miles said the six who signed — Ernest Gunn, La’Chavious Simmons, Malcolm Conn, Kendarious Merchant, Jesse Boggs and Cyron Ellis — all should be extremely proud of what they’ve accomplished.

“It says a lot about the character of the kids, the parents, the teachers and the coaches and I think they will go on and do well,” Miles said.

Selma wasn’t the only school that had a lot to be proud of Wednesday.

Dallas County High School’s Lowell Furlow and Xavier Knight will attend school together at Tennessee Tech and Southside sent five players to Concordia College Alabama.

Here’s a recap on all of Wednesday’s activity:

Selma sends six players on to the next level

Ernest Gunn said he opened a fortune cookie right before his visit to Southern Mississippi that said “spend some time on the coastline.”

When Eagles’ coaches told him that Hattiesburg is only a short drive from the coast, he knew the cookie served as a sign that Southern Missisippi was the school for him.

“It feels great right now knowing that I have a place to go when I’m done with high school and playing at the next level and having a shot at the NFL,” Gunn said.

Welcome to the #SouthernMiss family, DB Ernest Gunn from Selma, AL! #SMTTT #NationalSigningDay pic.twitter.com/sLT067am4M

— Southern Miss FB (@SouthernMissFB) February 4, 2015

The cornerback highlighted the six Selma High School seniors that signed letters of intent to play college football at the next level Wednesday.

The others were La’Chavious Simmons (Tennessee State), Malcolm Conn (Mississippi Gulf Coast), Kendarious Merchant (Stillman), Jesse Boggs (South Alabama) and Cyron Ellis (Huntingdon).

The cornerback highlighted the six Selma High School seniors that signed letters of intent to play college football Wednesday.

The others were La’Chavious Simmons (Tennessee State), Malcolm Conn (Mississippi Gulf Coast), Kendarious Merchant (Stillman), Jesse Boggs (South Alabama) and Cyron Ellis (Huntingdon).

Boggs’ decision, in part, came down to what position he wanted to play. In the end, South Alabama gave him the chance to continue playing quarterback.

“I’m the first in my family to sign a football scholarship,” Boggs said. “It feels amazing.”

Simmons played offensive and defensive line for the Saints, but was recruited for his blocking ability by  Tennessee State. He was confident the Tigers were the right fit.

“It was the coaches,” Simmons said. “They treated me like family. When I went up there, [coaches came] out and talked to me. [A coach] came down last week and the head coach called me today and was telling me he was ready for me to get on campus.”

Conn made the decision to go to Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in hopes of impressing scouts again and having another recruiting decision to make in a couple of years. Gunn and Conn had quite a journey to signing day. Both players were too old to play under AHSAA rules, so they transferred to Northview High School in Duluth, Ga. to play their senior years and then moved back to Selma for their final semester.

“It was kind of tough at first being away from home, but as time moved on you adjusted to it,” Conn said. “…You’ve already got experience for being on your own, so when you go to college you are already prepared.”

Merchant will play running back at Stillman, which he said is a dream come true.

“When I went there, I felt like I was at home,” Merchant said.

Ellis, who didn’t start playing football until his junior season, will be a wide receiver for Huntingdon.

“I went to a Huntingdon game during the season and I said ‘I want to go there,’” Ellis said.

Miles said he is proud that the majority of his senior football players are attending college. Last year 14 of Selma’s 18 senior football players went to college. This year out of 24 seniors, Miles is expecting 20 to go to college.

“We tell our kids to go to class every day on time, be respectful and give your best effort,” Miles said. “We hold them accountable to that so when it gets to this point, it’s easy because you have the grades to sign a scholarship.”

 

Southside Panthers sign with Concordia College Alabama

Southside had a big day Wednesday, as five players signed to play college football at Concordia College Alabama.

Quindarius Young, Jhalandius Sullivan, Michael Walker, William Bonner and Scott Cole will play for the Hornets next season.

“I’m proud of them,” said Southside head football coach, Daniel Flowers. “I’ve been here since they were sophomores, and I told them they are going to be the group of guys that can go to the next level and play.”

The five signees are the first to sign to play college ball in Flowers’ seven-year coaching career, and the first in his three years at Southside as well.Young, who played right guard for the Panthers, is not sure what position he will play at Concordia, but he feels like Southside’s fab-five can make a difference.

“I think me and my teammates can help [Concordia] a lot,” Young said.

Jhalandius Sullivan is projected to play cornerback or slot receiver for the Hornets.

“It means everything to me to make my mother and my family proud,” Sullivan said after he signed his letter of intent. “I like the school and it is in my hometown. I didn’t want to move too far away from home.”

Walker, who played fullback and middle linebacker at Southside, expects to do the same for the Hornets.

“I grew up watching the [Concordia] play,” Walker said. “It means a lot to be able to play in front of my hometown. [My family] won’t have trouble or have to travel that far to see me play.”

Bonner played multiple spots along the offensive and defensive lines at right guard, right tackle and defensive tackle. The lineman is expected to do the same at Concordia.

“I’m blessed [to get this opportunity],” Bonner said. “I’m thankful to get this chance to play and to be in this position.”

The last of Southside’s five signees, Scott Cole, signed with Concordia as an athlete. He could play cornerback, quarterback or kick returner.

“I’ve been wanting to play football at the next level for a while,” Cole said. “It is a dream come true.”

Concordia head coach Stanley Conner expects all five players to compete and make an immediate impact.

“The sky is the limit,” Conner said. “We’re looking for everybody to come in and play their roles.”position he will play at Concordia, but he feels like Southside’s fab-five can make a difference.

 

DCHS Hornets head to Tennessee Tech

As expected, Dallas County Hornets teammates Lowell Furlow and Xavier Knight signed their letters of intent Wednesday to play football at Tennessee Tech.

Furlow, a 6-foot-9 offensive tackle, was originally a Southern Mississippi commitment, but he knew after spending last weekend on a visit with Tennessee Tech that he wanted to play for the Golden Eagles.

“It’s a lot off of my chest,” Furlow said. “I’ve been carrying a lot of weight trying to figure out where I want to go. I went on an official visit to Tennessee Tech and I really fell in love with it. I feel like I can be a great fit for their program.”

Furlow said his relationship with the coaches made the Golden Eagles the choice over the numerous other schools that had offered him during the process.

He’s also excited to be going with Knight, who he’s known since elementary school.

“I feel very comfortable knowing now that he signed too and having someone up there that I know,” Furlow said.

Lowell Furlow: a 6’9 offensive tackle from Dallas County HS in Plantersville, Ala. http://t.co/QPuZwvO88d pic.twitter.com/iukdaETRAB

— Tennessee Tech (@TTUGoldenEagles) February 4, 2015

 

Xavier Knight: a 6-0 athlete from Dallas County HS in Plantersville, Ala. http://t.co/JHDtDCs5Gapic.twitter.com/ebqXUj0zLF

— Tennessee Tech (@TTUGoldenEagles) February 4, 2015

Knight was signed as an athlete that will be in line to play many positions for Tennessee Tech.

“Coming from Dallas County to be one of [dozens of] kids to sign in Division I or Division [FCS], I’m starting to really appreciate the people here right now and how much they have helped me these last four years,” Knight said.

Knight said he committed first and told Furlow to make his own decision, but was glad to hear his longtime teammate was joining him at Tennessee Tech.

Knight finished third in the 100-meters in the class 4A-6A state track meet last spring.

Times-Journal staff writer Blake Deshazo contributed to this report.