By KEVIN ECKLEBERRY

Daily News

What a day it was for the Callaway High football family.

A year ago, 16 Callaway student-athletes shared a stage as they signed their letters of intent to play college football.

Flash forward a year, and it was an even busier national signing day for the Cavaliers.

During a ceremony on Wednesday morning in the Callaway High gymnasium, 20 seniors announced their intention to play college football, and where they’ll be going.

One of those seniors, Keiondre Jones, signed with Auburn during the early-signing period in December.

The other 19 seniors made it official when they signed their letters of intent on Wednesday with friends, classmates, teammates, family members and coaches there to support them.

“I’m really proud of this group of seniors and how they’ve represented our school and our football program,” said Pete Wiggins, Callaway’s head coach since 2005. “I’m proud of their work ethic that they’ve put in to get to this point. It’s been a great group. They’ve represented our school really well, and we’ve won a lot of football games. They’ve just added to the tradition at Callaway High School.”

The seniors helped the Cavaliers enjoy the best four-year stretch in the history of the program.

The Cavaliers are 45-8 over the past four seasons, and they made it to the state semifinals in 2016 and 2018.

Now, those seniors will get a chance to carry that winning mindset to a college program.

“I think this is a great representation of the work ethic of our team, the work ethic of our coaches,” Wiggins said. “I think it’s a great representation of our faculty and our staff.”

Five of Callaway’s signees are going to the same school.

Tyrique Andrews, Curmondre Bray, Tre Heard, Quon Todd and Lavaris Patterson are heading to California to join the College of the Sequoias football program.

Four of those men, Andrews, Bray, Heard and Patterson, were starters on a formidable defensive line.

Bray, who is also a standout wrestler who qualified for this weekend’s state sectional, is glad to know he’ll have some familiar faces in California.

“I think it’s going to take a lot of stress off,” Bray said. “I want have to worry as much.”

Three other Callaway players will also be joining forces on the college level.

Defensive standouts Siderrian Shealey and Dee Bonner, and tight end Tee Bonner, have signed with in-state school Fort Valley State.

Shealey, who played safety and linebacker, was among the team leaders with 66 tackles, and Dee Bonner had 34 tackles with an interception from his defensive-back position.

Tee Bonner caught five passes for 149 yards with a touchdown.

Callaway wide receivers Man Swanson and Lamarceo Brooks will be teammates at Middle Georgia State College in Cochran.

Hunter Williamson, who enjoyed an exceptional senior season as a place kicker and punter, signed with Georgia State.

Williamson was 7-of-7 on field-goal attempts, and he was 61-of-64 on extra-point tries.

Williamson had a 35-yard average on punts, and eight of his kicks pinned opponents inside of their 20-yard line.

“The coaches were great,” Williamson said. “I got up there, and instantly it felt like home. And it’s so close. Anytime if I need to come home, I can. And it’s close enough that on game days my mom can come.”

Williamson will be teammates with former Callaway Cavalier Courtney Williams, who signed with Georgia State last year.

“It’s going to be the place to be,” Williamson said. “It’ll be great.”

Defensive lineman Nathan Sapp, a three-year starter, is heading to Alabama to play for Jacksonville State.

Sapp said “it’s very special” to share signing day with so many of his teammates.

“It’s a great group of guys,” Sapp said. “We cheered each other on through everything.”

Tely Fanning, who overcame two major knee injuries to become a three-year starter, signed with the University of West Georgia.

Fanning had more than 100 tackles as a senior to lead the team.

Fanning said “it’s a good feeling” to see so many fellow Cavaliers get the opportunity to continue playing.

“These are boys I’ve been playing with since my ninth-grade year, or even middle school,” Fanning said. “It’s a great feeling that all of us are succeeding.”

Fanning joins a West Georgia team that went 10-2 last season and made the NCAA Division II playoffs.

“I decided to go to West Georgia, because when I went on visits they made me feel at home,” Fanning said. “They’ve got a a great campus.”

Qua Hines, a game-breaking running back, has signed with Miles College in Alabama.

Hines, a three-year starter who has also played linebacker, had back-to-back seasons with more than 1,000 all-purpose yards.

Defensive lineman Destin Patrick, who had 24 tackles last season, is remaining in his home state after signing with Berry College.

Keshawn Cameron, a multi-year starter on the offensive line, is going the junior-college route after signing with Coffeyville Community College in Kansas.

Adrain Porter, who started on an offensive line that helped Cartavious “Tank” Bigsby run for more than 2,000 yards, has signed with Point University.

Hye Douglas, a defensive lineman, signed with Missouri Valley College.

CALLAWAY SIGNEES

Hunter Williamson (Georgia State)

Nathan Sapp (Jacksonville State)

Drelin Potts (Alabama State)

Tely Fanning (West Georgia)

Qua Hines (Miles)

Sidderian Shealey (Fort Valley State)

Dee Bonner (Fort Valley State)

Tee Bonner (Fort Valley State)

Destin Patrick (Berry College)

Keshawn Cameron (Coffeyville)

Tyrique Andrews (College of the Sequoias)
Curmondre Bray (College of the Sequoias)

Tre Heard (College of the Sequoias)

Quon Tod (College of the Sequoias)

Lavaris Patterson (College of the Sequoias)

Adrain Porter (Point University)

Hye Douglas (Missouri Valley)

Man Swanson (Middle Georgia State)

Lamarceo Brooks (Middle Georgia State)

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