By By Jeff Byrd/staff writer
Feb. 7, 2002
SCOOBA The East Mississippi Community College football team landed 19 signees on the opening of National Signing Day.
Four of the recruits are from Lauderdale County, and include All-Area players Ben Reed and Travis Reed of Southeast Lauderdale, Meridian High School linebacker C.C. Finley and West Lauderdale kicker Will Moseley.
Veteran EMCC head coach Tom Goode says it was a pretty typical first day.
The Lions signed five players out of Columbus High School and three more from Noxubee County including All-State linebacker O'Bryant Brandy.
The other two Noxubee signees were Marcus Pope and Marco Robey.
The players out of Columbus include linemen Chaunty Brown, Alex Clay, defensive back Sammy Doty, quarterback Chris Maggs and wide receiver D.D. Weatherby.
East also got recruits out of New Hope High School. They include John Henderson, Cody Brown and Lance Martin. Two out-of-district signees include wide receiver J.C. Harris out of Morton and center Drew Ward. Dusty Golledge from Columbus Heritage Academy was the final signee.
Finley was arguably the top defensive player for Meridian this season. He feels the Lions program can help take him to the next level.
West Lauderdale's Moseley had some options to play soccer but has chosen instead to play football at East. Moseley is a sweeper on the Knights' soccer team that has made it to the semifinal round of the Class 3A-2A-1A playoffs.
Moseley's field goal range is right at 50 yards. He says his main focus will be on extra points.
Ben Reed was one of the area's top quarterbacks having thrown for nearly 1,700 yards. Travis Reed was a top receiver and sometimes running back for coach Dwane Taylor's team.