Brandon Bell and Blake Sharp did nearly everything on the football field in their high school careers.
The next challenge for the Heritage Academy standouts will be to earn playing time on one of the nation’s best teams.
Bell and Sharp took the first step in that journey Wednesday morning when they signed scholarships to play football for the national champion East Mississippi Community College football team.
Where Bell and Sharp will get their chances on the field remains to be seen, but the versatility the Patriots showed in their career helped them earn opportunities to play with some of the state’s top players.
“They see me as an athlete,” said Bell, who played quarterback and running back for the Patriots this season. I am going to see what I can do and try to prove myself. It is like if I went to any other school in that I am going to have to go and win a spot. Wherever they put me and whatever they want me to do, I am going to help the team in any way I can.”
Bell, a transfer from Caledonia High School who played his final two seasons at Heritage Academy, had 144 carries for 1,166 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 92 points. He split time at quarterback and helped lead the Patriots to a 5-5 record.
Bell, a Mississippi Association of Independent Schools All-Star with Sharp, made a verbal commitment to EMCC about a month ago. He said he liked everything about the school, including the fact the Lions are coming off their first national championship. He said he went to one or two games this season and is excited about the chance to play in the school’s new multi-million dollar stadium.
“I like their offense and think I could help out there,” Bell said. “I will help them in any way they need me to, whether that means playing on offense or defense.”
Brad Butler, who coached Bell and Sharp at Heritage Academy this past season, said Bell also could see playing time at linebacker or wide receiver. He said Bell, who will play baseball at Heritage Academy this season, has good hands, speed, and size, which could be a dangerous combination for linebackers or members of the secondary.
“His versatility is what makes him so appealing,” Butler said. “His versatility will help give him a bright future before it is all said and done, too.”
Bell said the last time he remembers playing defense was in 10th grade, but that won’t be a problem because he is eager to continue to do what he loves anywhere on the field.
“(Proving himself) is the same thing I dealt with leaving Caledonia and moving to Heritage.” Bell said. “I had to prove myself all over again at a new school and with new coaches. It is going to be different because there is going to be tougher competition to go against. I am just going to have to do it.”
Butler said Bell attracted attention at seven-on-seven camps in the preseason. He said he showed coaches how he could catch the football in space and make plays. He said Bell might not be the fastest receiver, but he said he could be a hard one to bring down, especially in an offense like EMCC’s that likes to create mismatches and throw the football.
Sharp anchored the offensive and defensive lines in his career at Heritage Academy. In July, Sharp solidified his status as one of the state’s top linemen when he was named to the IMG All-Madden Camp. Sharp was one of 28 players named to the roster, which was selected from more than 130 athletes representing 30 states.
Sharp didn’t commit to EMCC initially because he wanted to consider all of his options. He said EMCC proved to be the best fit in part because he will room with Bell at Scooba. He also feels EMCC will best prepare him — whether it is in one year or two — to play football at a four-year school.
“They’re a very dominant football team,” Sharp said. “They’re good, they win, they focus on football, and they’re really high class compared to all of the other junior colleges. To me, it is a good environment. The best part of it is they win. If they were not winners I wouldn’t be happy going there.”
Sharp, an all-conference lineman, said he is versatile enough to play on the offensive or defensive lines. However, he said he talked with the coaches and feels his best chance to earn a scholarship to play at a Division I school is to play on defensive end. He doesn’t feel he has the body type to bulk up to 300 or more pounds to play on the offensive line.
“If I really push it hard and really focus on football and make a lot of tackles and get my stats up there it won’t be hard going anywhere,” Sharp said.
Butler agrees and said Sharp’s leadership ability — like Bell’s — will be an intangible that will give him an edge. He said both players are hard workers who set the tone for the Patriots on and off the field.
“I think (Heritage Academy) is a good fit (for Blake) and (EMCC),” Butler said. “I think everybody will be pleased. I think he has a bright future ahead of him in college football. I think he will be a Division I player before it is all said and done.”
Adam Minichino is the former Sports Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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