Local football stars to face each other in JUCO next year
Sturns signs with Navarro, Alto stand-outs sign with TVCC, TJC
BY LELAND ACKER

Alto players signing football scholarships were (front row from left) Tarcellus Mitchell (TVCC), Jeremy Lofton (TVCC), Tyson Mitchell (TVCC) and Julian WIllis (TJC). Coaches on the back row are (from left): Clint Gardner, Head Coach Keith Gardner and Paul Gould.

East Texas junior colleges made out like bandits on National Signing Day, with the Trinity Valley Community College (TVCC) Cardinals getting away with most of the loot.

Three Alto football players signed with the Cards while one of their teammates inked with Tyler Junior College (TJC).

Meanwhile, Rusk's Justin Sturns signed with Navarro and Jacksonville's Joe Whitaker signed with Kilgore College.

Alto running back Jeremy Lofton, wide receiver Tyson Mitchell and tight end Tarcellus Mitchell signed with TVCC while quarterback Julian Willis accepted an offer from TJC. Tyson said next year's game between the two teams will be interesting.

"I told (Willis) we're going to run him out," Tyson said. "We're going to jump all over him and everything."

"We're going to see if he's going to bring it," said Lofton. "We'll see if he can take a little Reggie Bush."

Jacksonville football players signing scholarships were (from left): Jeremy Miles (Texas College), Tyler James (Ouachita Baptist University), Carmon Boyd-Anderson (Kansas), Jazz Scott (Henderson State University) and Joe Whitaker (Kilgore College). PHOTO: WOLF WHITAKER

Lofton said it will be the Alto show at TVCC next year.

"It'll be great to keep playing with my cousin," he said.

Willis, who played quarterback at Alto, was signed as a general athlete by TJC. Willis said he will likely be playing free safety.

Tyson said TVCC tried to recruit the Jackets as a group.

"They told me I (could wear) the number one again, and that I can start," he said.

However, Willis said he chose TJC because he likes Tyler and he has family ties there.

"My mother and sister both graduated from TJC," he said.

Willis said he plans to major in Physical Therapy and hopes to earn a Division I college scholarship while at Tyler.

Tyson said he is undecided on a major. Lofton said he will likely major in business.

Rusk quarterback Justin Sturns signed with Navarro College in Corsicana to play football and baseball. Pictured are (from left) Sturns' mother Marion Tudmon, Sturns' uncle Oliver Sturns, Justin Sturns and Rusk Eagle Head Coach Wayne Mahaffey.

While the former Jackets gear up to face each other next year on the gridiron, Rusk quarterback Justin Sturns looks to upset their party from Navarro College.

Sturns, who was Navarro's number one recruit, will likely start as a running back or wide receiver, positions he played at Rusk prior to being named starting quarterback in 2005.

Sturns said the reason he chose Navarro is because he will also be able to play baseball, which is his first love.

Rusk Head Coach Wayne Mahaffey said Sturns has good quickness and good field vision.

"Anytime you can go to college to play ball is a good opportunity," Coach Mahaffey said.

On the northern end of the county, Jacksonville had five players sign college scholarships on Wednesday. Carmon Boyd-Anderson, who signed with Kansas, is the only one to go Division I.

Jazz Scott signed with Henderson State University (in Ark.) while Tyler James inked with Ouachita Baptist University. Joe Whitaker signed with Kilgore and Jeremy Miles is headed to Texas College.