Top Sports Stories of 2008 - Number 7

It was a very busy day for the football programs at Milton and Pace high schools on National Signing Day.

Between the two schools seven football players made the commitment to continue their football playing careers, six of which will be playing Division-I football.

Milton’s William Beasley and Dustin Land had made their college choices known very early as did Pace’s Vance Smith.

So the news on Wednesday centered on Riley Hawkins who signed with Samford University, Andy Dagleish (Birmingham-Southern), Talris Brown (Troy University), and Brandon Gibson (Jacksonville University).

Both coaches were very excited for their players as it showed the hard work and effort paid off.

Pace High School held their signing in the football weight room.

“It is very fitting they sign in the weight room, which is better known as Mickey Lindsey’s House of Pain,” said Pace Athletic Director. “They have put in a lot of work here to get to where they are so this is the most fitting place for us to hold the signings.”

The biggest display of colors had to been the orange and blue at Pace as Vance Smith fulfilled a life long dream to play for the Tigers of Auburn.
Smith verbally committed during last season’s spring game.

“I am glad this day is finally here,” said Smith. “It is finally sinking in.

“When I committed I knew where I wanted to go and I wanted to get it over with so I didn’t have to worry about it and enjoy my senior year.”

Smith’s grandfather (Houston) has followed Auburn and been a Tigers fan since he played against Jackie Burkett back in 1955 at Jay High School.

“I played against Jackie when he was a quarterback at Choctaw,” said Houston Smith. “Since that point I followed his career and have been an Auburn fan.”

Vance was a three-year letterman at Pace, but had been around Coach Mickey Lindsey before many realized.

“I remember him when he was just starting to walk and have been fortunate enough to watch him grow up into a great individual,” said Lindsey.
Another player who grew up before his coaches was Milton’s Brandon Gibson.

Mike McMillion and his coaching staff didn’t know what would happen when Gibson decided to try out for football.

Now the unknown will be joining the Dolphins at Jacksonville University.

“We found out for sure he was a football player,” said McMillion. “We knew he could run, but we never would have imagined the junior and senior years he put together.”

The Milton defensive back was use to playing sports such as basketball, soccer, and running track, but it was a hit that guaranteed his love for football.

“I was practicing d-back drills with Logan Neely and he hit me so hard I got a concussion,” recalled Gibson. “I was out for a week, but I still went to practice every day and watched.

“I wondered what it would be like my freshman year and now that curiosity has just paid for my education in college.”

Probably the biggest surprise was the lack of attention Hawkins was receiving at Pace.

But the phone heated up when he returned home after a heartbreaking loss to Nease High School where he amassed nearly 250 yards receiving.

“It has been a real interesting since the Nease game with a lot of calls,” said Hawkins. “Samford is giving me an opportunity to do what I like.

“I am going to go there and work on my skills as a receiver and get my education. If God sees fit to bless me beyond that then that would be awesome.”

Pace principal Frank Lay remembers Hawkins enrolling at Pace after moving here from Alaska.

“There was just something special about him,” said Lay. “He has meant a lot to Pace High and the football program.

“We are very proud to see him get this opportunity.”

Just prior to National Signing Day Talris Brown’s name had been talked about and he surprised some when he committed to Troy University.

“It was not that hard of a decision for me,” said Brown. “I loved the place and felt right at home. Coach Blakeney talked about family and how important that was to him.”

Blakeney and his staff talking about Brown playing running back didn’t hurt very much either.

“Since I was a kid growing up I had always said I wanted to play running back in college,” said Brown. “And now I have my chance.”

Speaking of a chance, Andy Dagleish is looking forward to a second chance.

Following a knee injury that sidelined him his junior year, the lineman is now going to play football for the Panthers of Birmingham Southern with his brother Eric.

“I only got to play with him one year,” said Dagleish. “Now I am looking forward to playing with him again.

“They have a brand new program at Birmingham-Southern and I just fell in love with the small campus and hometown feel like we have here.”

Dagleish admitted he feels after sitting out last season he has a new lease on playing sports and is looking forward to enjoying every moment.

Another player looking to enjoy every moment is William Beasley, who signed with N.C. State.

Beasley was an early verbal commitment, but that didn’t keep several colleges from trying to change his mind.

“The thing I learned about the entire recruiting process is being a man of your word,” said Beasley. “N.C. State was the first school to really recruit me.

“N.C. State kept their word to me and I kept mine to them.”

But Beasley didn’t want to celebrate his day; he wanted to celebrate for his teammates. Especially Gibson and Brown, who waited late to commit.

“I am very glad for the guys like Talris and Brandon,” said Beasley. “Everybody knew where I was going, but these guys are getting their time and they deserve it.”

Dustin Land, who was rather low key about his signing with Iowa State, shared that same feeling.

Land, who had a flair for the dramatic at quarterback, will be looking to learning a new position by the time he arrives in Ames, Iowa.

“It shouldn’t be that difficult since I have an idea about the d-backs job from playing quarterback,” said Land. “I just need to get in there and learn the system. I have never looked into a defensive play book before.”

Land is another player who had to battle back from injuries, but came back for an outstanding senior year.

“I think every thing paid off for me my senior year,” said Land. “When I first got hurt my junior year I was worried that no school would look at me.”

There could be a couple of more signing during this 30-day window, but no other news was available at press time.