8 local athletes sign college scholarships
Scott, Mitchell to face each other in JUCO next season
BY LELAND ACKER

Jacksonville athletes signing scholarship papers Wednesday were (from left): Joe Villaviscencio, football, Texas A&M; Ryan Arrington, football, Northwest Missouri; Ryan Crews, football, Henderson State University; Kelvin Hall, football, Kilgore College; Jennifer Meza and Brittany McAnally, softball, Grayson County College. PHOTO: MIKE CUMMINGS, SPORTSPHOTOS USA

Eight Cherokee County athletes signed with colleges on signing day Wednesday, Feb. 6. Two Alto football players, four Jacksonville football players and two Jacksonville softball players accepted scholarship offers.

For the second year in a row, two graduating Yellowjackets will find themselves facing off against each other as they signed with rival junior colleges. Alto linebacker Clayton Scott signed with the Kilgore College Rangers while quarterback Tarlandus Mitchell signed with Navarro College. Mitchell, an all-round athlete who excels at most sports in high school, will join the ranks of Rusk's Justin Sturns on the Navarro team. Scott, who will take brains and brawn to Kilgore as the 2006 Defensive Player of the Year also ranks high in the Alto Class of 2008.

Tarlandus Mitchell, who signed with Navarro College, is pictured with his mother, Kim Mitchell. Coaches on the back row are Clint Gardner, Head Coach Keith Gardner and Paul Gould.

Scott and Mitchell's high school career featured a 9-3 season in Class 2A their sophomore year, then an undefeated run their junior and senior years. During their tenure, the Jackets went 37-3, won two state titles and made one bi-district appearance.

In Jacksonville, offensive lineman Joe Villavisencio signed with Texas A&M University, as expected. Villavisencio had committed to play for the Aggies before the beginning of the 2007 football season. The departure of Aggie Head Coach Dennis Franchione was cause for concern over the status of Villavisencio's scholarship offer, but Texas A&M officials said they would honor the commitment.

Villavisencio's partner in crime on the Jacksonville line, Ryan Arrington, will head to Northwest Missouri to play football.

In other Tribe news, Ryan Crews signed with Henderson State and Kelvin Hall signed with Kilgore College. Jacksonville went 3-7 in 2007.

Clayton Scott, who signed with Kilgore College, is pictured with his mother, Mindy Scott and father, Kim Scott. Coaches on the back row are (from left) Clint Gardner, Head Coach Keith Gardner and Paul Gould. PHOTOS: LEANN JONES

Jacksonville will also send two softball players to college, as Brittany McAnally and Jennifer Meza signed scholarships with Grayson County College in Denison.

The Rusk Eagles finished with a record of 2-8 in 2007. No football players signed scholarship papers Wednesday.

Sierra Smith, who plays second base for the Rusk Lady Eagle softball team, signed with McLennan College Monday.