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Sports

Elk Grove Football Heroes Shine on National Signing Day

Student-athletes from four Elk Grove high schools inked Letters of Intent to play college football Wednesday.

Family, friends, teachers and coaches filled the board room of the Robert L. Trigg Education Center to overflowing Wednesday afternoon as six Elk Grove student-athletes, representing four area high schools, signed Letters of Intent to attend college on football scholarships.

The crowd at the fifth annual Letter of Intent Signing Ceremony shared smiles, handshakes and words of congratulation, along with stories about how the young men started playing football at the youth level. District Athletic Director Jim Smrekar said the National Signing Day event continues those trips that began years ago.

“This is just the next step in their journey,” Smrekar said.

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Superintendent Steven M. Ladd lauded the six signees.

“Looking at where you are sitting, it is quite an accomplishment,” Ladd said. “We will be rooting for you and cheering for you and watching you do great things both on the athletic field and off of it."

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Robert Ash, a defensive lineman from Cosumnes Oaks High School, called the chance to continue his education and play football at Boise State “very exciting."

"It’s a blessing," Ash said. The Boise State Broncos finished the past season ranked fourth in the nation.

Most of those signing Wednesday said they enjoyed the recruiting process, some more than others.

“It’s definitely grueling,” Ash said, “ but it's also fun getting to know more people than you ever thought you’d know.”

He said 12 schools had tried to recruit him.

Ash’s mother, Marguerite Ash, was enthusiastic about the experience.

“Every Mom and Dad thinks their child playing sports, you think your kid’s the greatest.," she said, smiling. "But when other people say it, you say, ‘really?’”

She credited her son’s high school coach, Ryan Gomes, for helping them through the process, especially the NCAA rules.

“His high school coach has been incredibly supportive, making sure we had reliable information,” Marguerite Ash said. “From that standpoint, it could have been stressful, but he made sure it wasn’t.”

She added with a chuckle that the big day won’t change what’s expected of Rob at home. “I’ll just say, he still has to do his chores,” she said.

Yvonne Reed, the mother of Anthony King—a Franklin High School senior who will attend Eastern Washington University—remembered when her son played Pop Warner football as a child. He’s now on his way to play for the defending champions of the Football Championship Subdivision, the former Division 1-AA.

“When he first started, he wanted to play soccer,” she said with a laugh. The comment drew a grin from her son, who plans to major in physical education, health and recreation.

Maurice Talley Jr., a Cosumnes Oaks cornerback/wide receiver who will attend Weber State University, called being recruited, “hard, tough and stressful.”

His father, Maurice Talley Sr., present with wife, Cindy, agreed. He said much of it was “a lot of people telling you what you wanted to hear. We’re happy where we’re at. He can get a degree and it’s free.”

Marcus Paige-Allen, a 6-foot, 275 pound lineman, plans to major in communications at Cal Poly. Asked if he wants to have a TV career, he grinned shyly and said, “Maybe.”

The Sheldon student liked being recruited.

“It was very enjoyable,” he said. “I met a lot of people I could see myself around for a long time.”

Mansel Simmons, a Sheldon High wide receiver/defensive lineman, is going to play in the Pac-12 at Washington State, although a press release from the school district said he was headed for Portland State. Simmons, who plans to major in business management, already has the poise of an executive.

“I love the opportunity they’ve provided me,” he said of being recruited by WSU. “I’m going to try to do the best during this opportunity God gave me.”

Simmons acknowledged that faith is an important part of his life.

“This is kind of a funny story. When I was a little kid, my brother threw me in the deep water and said, ‘you’re either going to learn to swim or drown.’ I learned to swim. I feel like, metaphorically, it’s (going to college) the same. Going to any school is a leap of faith. I just want to be the best of the best. I feel like going to Washington State gives me that opportunity.”

Meanwhile, Pleasant Grove High's Jonathan Bias opted to stay close to home and take his talents as a linebacker to UC-Davis.  He said that after posting clips of his play online, he was contacted by the defensive line coach at UC-Davis and invited to come and work out for the Aggies.

“They were really impressed,” Bias, who plans to major in exercise biology with a goal of going into medicine or physical therapy, said. “The next week, they offered me a scholarship. I’ve been (verbally) committed to them since August.”

Asked if staying close to home was a factor, Bias laughed and yes.

“I’m only going to be 45 minutes away,” he said. “If I need anything, I can come home on the weekend and get it.”

 

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