National Signing Day arrived cold and windy in the MagnoliaState. Football players from Southaven to Pascagoula and fromNatchez to Meridian posed for photos Wednesday as they signedscholarship papers.

On the local scene, Brookhaven’s Panthers led the parade withnine signees, including eight football players. BHS also boasted aSoutheastern Conference signee when senior forward Amy Hooversigned a soccer scholarship with Mississippi State University.

Also, all-everything quarterback Chandler Rogers of BrookhavenAcademy signed with Copiah-Lincoln Community College.

Of course, the next step is a big one for all of these talentedyoung athletes. College sports demand more time, more work, morespeed, more strength, more determination, more heart and moreintelligence

Oh, by the way, college scholarship athletes are expected tomaintain a respectable grade point average in the classroom, too.Coaches frown on absenteeism. Missing or being late for a class canlead to extra labor, a.k.a. running the stadium steps at 6 a.m.

Certainly, college athletics can be considered a form ofemployment. Many gifted athletes lose their zest for excellence anddecide on an abrupt ending to their athletic careers.

We wish all of the signees the best. They’ve worked hard to earnthat scholarship. But the work has just begun.

The Panthers were overachievers in 2010, advancing to the Class5A state championship game. They finished 9-5 but reached the titlegame with a series of stunning upsets in three consecutive stateplayoff games.

Obviously, there were some exceptional athletes among those 26BHS seniors.

Offensive left tackle Stone Underwood (6-3, 275) signed withSoutheastern Louisiana University. Cornerback E.J. Henderson (5-10,170) signed with Alabama State University.

Offensive tackle Sam Ballard (6-3, 265), defensive linemanJawaun Merchant (5-11, 275), cornerback Devonte Stewart (5-11,165), quarterback Duwone Harris (6-1, 180), wide receiver TrentPowell (6-1, 202) and safety Shamonte Brooks (6-1, 165) signed withCo-Lin.

That’s the most Panthers to sign scholarships since the 2004state championship team. That list included two SEC signees:quarterback Jimmy Johns to Alabama and defensive lineman JessieBowman to Mississippi State.

“This is a good group of seniors,” said Ole Brook head coachTucker Peavey, referring to the signees. “It’s a good opportunityfor them to continue their education and play football, too. Theyhave worked hard to achieve success.”

Underwood, the 2010 team’s Scholastic Award winner, plans tomajor in biology at SEL. The Hammond campus is just an hour awayfrom home.

He joins SEL wide receiver and BHS grade Simmie Yarborough whohas earned All-Southland Conference honors his freshman andsophomore seasons.

Henderson said he was impressed by the Alabama State coaches andplayers. The Hornets are SWAC title contenders. He plans to majorin physical therapy and play baseball, too.

Lipsey Middle School assistant principal Trevor Brister, an ASUgrad, was an assistant coach at BHS before entering theadministrative side of education a few years ago.

Ballard will be counted on to fill a vacancy on the Co-Linoffensive line that helped the Wolfpack win the South Divisiontitle and post a 9-2 record as state runners-up.

Merchant, a leader on Brook’s defense, will find a home in thedefensive line.

Stewart is considering a career in electrical engineering. Heplans to light up opposing receivers in the Co-Lin secondary.

Harris amassed over 2,000 yards as a passer and runner for thePanthers this season. An exceptional athlete who started off hiscareer as a wide receiver, is projected as a free safety or runningback at Co-Lin. He plans a career in diesel mechanics.

Harris was selected The DAILY LEADER’s Offensive Player of theYear on the 2010 All-Lincoln County team.

Powell, a swift receiver with good hands, earned the nickname,Batman, at BHS. He’s considering a future in computerprogramming.

Brooks, a hard-hitting safety, was named the DL’s DefensivePlayer of the Year. He wants to become a certified welder at Co-Linand keep the secondary tight.

Co-Lin head coach Glenn Davis said he was pleased with the groupof BHS signees. Most of them will enroll in Co-Lin’s summer schooland participate in the offseason workouts leading up the 2011campaign.

Davis was happy to land Rogers (6-3, 190), a strong-armedquarterback who eclipsed every MAIS passing and scoring record. Heranks second behind former St. Stanislaus quarterback Dylan Favrein total touchdowns. As a senior, Rogers accounted for 48touchdowns and nearly 4,000 yards total offense, including 31 TDpasses.

“I’m really excited about signing with Co-Lin,” said Rogers.”This gives me an opportunity to play football at a higher level.I’m anxious to see how the next year goes. Coach Davis said he hassome good receivers coming in.”

BA head coach Herbert Davis said Rogers can be an impact playerat Co-Lin. “Chandler has big dreams to go past Co-Lin and he wantsto show people he can play at a higher level.”

Rogers was offered a scholarship by Cornell University by formerOle Miss quarterback/offensive coordinator Kent Austin. To behonest, Rogers wants to eventually play SEC football so Co-Lin canserve as a springboard towards that goal.

With the influx of local players, Co-Lin should attract a lotmore fans from the Lincoln County area in 2011.

Write to sports editor Tom Goetz, c/o The DAILY LEADER, P.O.BOX 551, Brookhaven, MS 39602 or e-mailsports@dailyleader.com