NCAA football national signing day started bright and early Wednesday at Sherando High School, where Brian Barlow signed the deal to continue his career with James Madison University. The 6' 3", 215lbs tight end will step into a Dukes offense where his position will play a big roll. Barlow chose JMU over a host of other 1-AA programs, but the decision wasn't all about football. "I was going to apply to go there anyways, and when they offered me to play football there too, that was just a dream come true." said Barlow. "I just love the atmosphere there, and it's close, and they play some good football down there. Really good football."
Barlow not the only signing for Sherando, after all the Warriors did make it all the way to the AA state title game, and two big reasons for the black and red success will stay together at the next level. Lineman Joey Christine will be joined by running back Markeith Brisco at Norfolk State University. Christine played both ways for Sherando, but thinks he'll probably end up on the offensive side of the ball in college. Markeith's deal with the Spartans came together at the last minute and both Markeith and Joey are pumped to take their Warrior pride down to Norfolk. "You can't really ask for anything more then that, and especially playing another four years with one of your best friends, so its probably the best feeling I've ever had in my life and probably the best day of my life." said Christine. " I just like the area in general, you know. The people round there are a great football team, they really know how to play football and the coaches are excellent. This past season they had a good season. You know, they won a conference, didn't make playoffs, but you know they're looking to improve on that this year and hopefully I can have something to do with that." added an excited Brisco.
Another Warrior making the big decision Wednesday was wide receiver Derek Crosen. Crosen, who starred both catching and breaking up passes this season, has accepted a spot as a preferred walk on at William and Mary. Derek will actually get to play against a couple of his team mates when William and Mary host Norfolk State on September 20th.
This year was a historic year for the Millbrook High School football team, and the man in the middle of the Pioneers first play off season ever, is another local product heading to the next level as Butch Kaczmarzewski will suit up for VMI next fall. Kaczmarzewski was a force to be reckoned with this past season, offensively it was nearly impossible to tackle, and defensively he was in on every single stop. Kaczmarzewski is solid academically as well, in fact he was one of our student athletes of the week back in September. After making history with Millbrook, Butch is ready to do some big things down at VMI. "I came to Millbrook, you know, wanting to start something new, and I feel I can do the same thing at VMI, you know. They're not a good program, I think they went two and eight last year." noted Butch. "I feel with me going there, my character and my leadership skills, as I go there and learn from them and then reflect everything I've learned onto my team mates, you know, hopefully we can (turn) it around."
Now every player we have told you about so far is going to a division 1AA school, our next youngster is going to West Virginia and it don't get much bigger then that. If you've watch him throw before you know what J.J Dorsey is capable of. He is simply put, the most allusive player with the ball in his hands that this area has seen in a long time. The Handley quarterback is projected by most to end up as a corner or a safety with the Mountaineers. While the switch might seem like a big deal to some, J.J. is taking it all in strides. " I wouldn't say nervous, but I feel very excited about playing on a different side of the ball. I never really got a lot of playing to time on that side of the ball, but playing corner, and hitting people there's a lot of excitement in there." says Dorsey.
Congratulations again to the class of 2008. Look for more on signing day in the Valley on Sebastian Salazar's Blog.