By Angie Ledbetter

Seniors throughout the country are anticipating the long-awaited day that signals their high school football days have gone.

Signing day is February 4 and there are several local players who will be signing to continue their careers at the college level. Football is no stranger to Panola County and this year will be no different when it comes to playing at a higher level.

According to South Panola Head Football Coach Lance Pogue, it’s a big time for the seniors.

“They’re able to pick where they’re going to go for the next four or five years of their careers. We’re going to have several guys that will be able to sign anywhere from division one down to the junior college so we’re going to have a mixture of in between and we’re excited about that.”

Though many players will not reveal before hand who they will commit to, Pogue said many players will sign a national letter of intent.

“I’m pleased with how many are signing,” Pogue said. “There is a chance for us to have a great number of our seniors to have different opportunities. The whole story in life is to take advantage of an opportunity and they’re going to have an opportunity to get a good education. That’s critical.”

Marvin Burdette, 5-11, 225-pound linebacker still has his options open but may be looking in one direction, the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

“To me it’s something you can’t put into words,” Burdette said. “It’s a whole decision on where you’re going to base your next four years or the next few years of your life. For some it may be two years. It’s just a big decision. All I can do is pray and get support from my parents and hopefully I make the right decision on where I go.”

“With the entire process, I can’t complain. The only thing that I hate is that everybody under estimates my height. I’ve had some people that really saw something in me from the start and they’ve stayed with me and kept talking with me. Hopefully I’ll be committing to somebody. For now all I can say is that I’m already verbally committed to University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB).”

David Conner, a 5-9, 185-pound safety visited the University of Alabama at Birmingham on January 9 and liked what he saw. Conner has verbally committed to the University of Alabama at Birmingham but had offers from Auburn and Ole Miss.  He verbally committed to Auburn earlier in the off season but withdrew his commitment.

“Signing day is the seniors making our decision on where we’re going to be for the next four or five years,” said Conner. “It’s something big because it’s going to be a big step for us.  It affects a lot of people that has helped us in a lot of ways. With us signing, we’re getting ready to move on to a bigger school and a bigger place. I’ve visited some different places and have verbally committed to the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Though the process has been overwhelming to Conner, he has been pleased.

“It’s been an experience and I never thought it would be this rough,” he said. “It’s a real big step and you just have to follow your heart. I just prayed that God would lead me in the right direction because once you sign that piece of paper, you’re done. It was real tough to make that final decision.”

The Clarion-Ledger reported Friday that South Panola fullback Reuben Corley verbally committed to Jackson State University.