Every high school athlete dreams of having the opportunity to play on the next level. Dallas County High School’s Roman Paxton made that dream a reality on Monday afternoon when he signed a scholarship with Wallace Community College in Selma.

“This is great, I’m just really happy that I will have the opportunity to play college ball,” said Paxton. “A lot of people said that I was too short and too small and wouldn’t be able to play, but it feels good that I’m going to be able to do it.”

This season, Paxton and the Dallas County Hornets finished with a tally of 9-10-1 overall, and missed the playoffs.

But they played in one of the most competitive regions in AHSAA. Bibb County won the region, going undefeated in regional play.

Playing on that level will help Paxton out this fall, when he becomes a Patriot.

“I believe it will be a big plus for our program,” said Lawrence Gullette, coach of the WCCS Patriots. “For one reason, he’s a local kid and he can flat out play, he’s going to see a lot of baseball at Wallace.

As far as the community, we can definitely get them involved because they follow their kids.

I believe he will be an asset, he’s got a great glove and good speed and he’s got good character as well. Beyond that he’s just a good kid and I think we’ll be able to compete.”

The Patriots compete in the Central Division and will face traditional Junior College powers like Southern Union, Central Alabama and Shelton State.

Gullette believes that this year’s class will make them more competitive next spring.

“I think that if you put him with some of the other talent that I’m hopefully bringing in, we’ll be right along in their with some of the top teams in our region.”

Paxton was flanked by his parents Kimmie and Danny and then by his high school coaches, Chris Baker and Bobby Jackson at Monday’s signing.