On the field, Dallas County linebacker/fullback Carlos Peoples can be ferocious.

Watching Peoples blast through a block or punish a tackler leaves a lasting impression.

On Wednesday afternoon at Dallas County High School, the Hornet senior gave a different impression altogether.

Peoples joked with his coach, Rick Bush, teased Principal Susan Jones with a good-natured smile and took some ribbing from his mom, May about his haircut as they walked to the school’s library.

Peoples and his entourage were on the way to sign football scholarship papers with West Alabama.

Peoples, who was an All-Area performer on the STJ’s team this season, helped lead the Hornets to their 7-0 start this season.

He was one of the Hornets’ enforcers on defense and one of many talented ball carriers on offense.

Peoples, who hasn’t picked a major, said he plans on moving to running back and outside linebacker for West Alabama.

He added that the school is perfect for him.

Bush said he expects more good things from his linebacker.