Wednesday was a good day to be a Trojan.
Michael Bradley and his New Hope High School football program celebrated National Signing Day in style with the announcement that six players would continue their football careers in college.
Running back Terrance Dentry and offensive lineman Park Stevens signed to play at East Central Community College, athlete Franklin Richardson Jr., offensive lineman Earnest Lang, and linebacker Kris Douglas signed to play at East Mississippi C.C., and quarterback Zak Thrasher signed an academic scholarship to play football at Division III Millsaps College, which doesn”t award athletic scholarships.
“I don”t think New Hope has ever had a day like this,” Bradley said as he tended to arrangements in the school”s media center.
The seniors have been the foundation for a program that has established itself as a force to be reckoned with in the Mississippi High School Activities Association. In 2009, New Hope (11-2) lost to eventual Class 5A state champion West Point in the North State championship. This season, Ridgeland eliminated New Hope in the North State semifinals. The Trojans went 33-16 the past four seasons.
“These kids have been the backbone of what we have been able to do here the last couple of years,” Bradley said. “I am very proud for each and every one of them. They are all great kids and they come from great families. The schools that have signed these young men have received quality people.”
Members of the ECCC coaching staff worked with Stevens and Dentry in the Who”s the Mann All-Star Game that pit players from Louisiana against players from Mississippi.
“I just worked as hard as I could every day and tried to do better every day,” said Stevens, who is projected to play tackle in college.
Dentry, who battled back from an injury this season, was a workhorse for the Trojans the past two seasons. He credited his coaches and teammates for helping him realize a chance to earn a scholarship.
“I am blessed to realize this day,” Dentry said. “I know it is going to be hard, but I am very confident. I just have to work hard at it.”
Thrasher, who fittingly wore a light purple shirt and a purple tie (purple is the color of Millsaps), will major in business or pre-med. He said learning not to procrastinate as much as he does in high school will be a key to juggling academics and athletics in college. He feels he has plenty of room to grow as a quarterback.
“I would love to try to compete for the starting spot (as a freshman), but if I have to back up the guy who is there, that”s fine,” Thrasher said. “I will get to learn from him.”
Richardson Jr., Lang, and Douglas said hard work has been a key to their success. They are excited to take the next step in their college careers together, especially considering how much they meant to the New Hope program.
“It is going to be pretty tough, but we just have to do our best,” Richardson Jr. said.
Adam Minichino is the former Sports Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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