By Kevin Eckleberry

kevin.eckleberry@lagrangenews.com

They’re ready for the next challenge.

On Wednesday, nearly 20 local players took a big step in their lives when they signed their national letters of intent as they prepare for their college-football journeys.

At Callaway, it was a busy day as 16 players signed their letters of intent during a ceremony in the school’s gymnasium.

At Troup, quarterback Montez Crowe signed with Savannah State, and some other members of the team will make their decisions in the coming weeks.

At LaGrange, offensive lineman Joe Thornton signed with Tennessee State University, and some more members of the team will sign next week.

There were 17 seniors on the 2017 Callaway football team, and 15 of them are set to play college football. Joining those 15 players on Wednesday was former Cavalier JT Wortham, who spent last season at Georgia Military College and has signed with Western Carolina.

The senior signees are Eric Hines (Ridgewater College), Marquavious Colton (Northland Community and Technical College), Wes Brooks (LaGrange College), Jamie Sellers (LaGrange College), Jalen Moss (Faulkner), Noah Stephens (Reinhardt), Travis Traylor (Reinhardt), Jonathan Leonard (Reinhardt), Gabe Moultrie (Florida Tech), Kedrick Ramsey (Morehouse), Kobe Jackson (Tuskegee), DQ Wilkerson (Mercer), DJ Atkins (Western Carolina), Courtney Williams (Georgia State) and Lichon Terrell (Western Kentukcy)

“They’ve put a great deal of time in getting to this point,” Callaway head coach Pete Wiggins said. “There’s been many hours in the weight room, at camps, in practice. They’ve put in hours into their academic work to set themselves up for this day. And we’re really proud of these young men, along with our 2017 Callaway Cavalier football team.”

Crowe enjoyed a phenomenal senior season in helping lead the Tigers to a nine-win season and a spot in the second round of the state playoffs.

Troup head coach Tanner Glisson said Crowe’s recruitment ended after he and his mother visited Savannah State.

“They just fell in love with the place, and they shut down recruiting pretty fast,” Glisson said. “He had two or three other offers, and opportunities. They said no. They shut the recruiting down.”

It was a difficult season for the Grangers, but Thornton made a positive impression as an offensive lineman, and he earned a football scholarship.

“He’s just getting started,” said Dialleo Burks, who stepped down as LaGrange’s head coach following the 2017 season. “The ceiling his high. I can’t wait to see it.”

OF NOTE: For complete signing-day coverage, including photos and reaction from the signees and the coaches, see Friday’s sports section.