Four Lancers sign intent

Four members of the Amherst County football team that finished as the Group AA Division 4 state runners-up signed letters of intent in the school’s library last week after the football team, the girls track team and the forensics team received recognition from members of the Amherst County Board of Supervisors and for their successful seasons.

Lancers’ linebacker Tyrease Brown and offensive tackle Cody Stinnett will attend Glenville State College, a Division II school in Glenville, W.Va.

The Rams finished 8-3 last season, including a 44-27 loss to Liberty University in Lynchburg. Glenville State finished the season ranked 25th in the Division II football poll. The Pioneers won the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship, finishing with a 7-1 conference record in 2008.

Stinnett, who will major in criminal justice and seek a career with either the FBI or CIA, is expected to compete immediately on the offensive line for playing time with the Pioneers.

“It’s a small-town college,” Brown said. “I loved being up there. It was awesome and they’ve got a real good football team from what I hear. I just can’t wait to get out there and get started up. I’ve just got to hit the weights, go as hard as I can and try to get a starting spot my freshman year.”

“Cody is big, strong and runs well for his size,” Amherst coach Cecil Phillips said. “He’s going to be able contribute early. He’s just a good old boy who’s going to work and that’s going to help him in college.”

Brown, who plan to study political science, will move from linebacker at Amherst to safety for the Pioneers and is also likely to have a chance to contribute next season for Glenville State.

“Tyrease was just one of those kids we couldn’t keep off the football field,” Phillips said. “He started off as a backup in our first two scrimmages, but he caught our eye and I think ended up second on the team in tackles. Our philosophy on defense is, we are going to put our best 11 players on defense. He’s going to be able to contribute early (at Glenville State).”

Glenville State “has a nice quiet environment so I can get to my books, and I love their football team,” Brown said. “I’m just looking to get stronger. Me and Cody will have stay in the weight room together.”

Brown, who was the Group AA champion in the triple jump during the indoor track season, also will be a part of the Pioneers’ track team.

Offensive lineman Sean Clark will attend Hampden-Sydney College. The Division III Tigers finished last season with an 8-2 record and were 4-2 in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference.

Clark, who will study economics, also is expected to compete immediately for playing time, but it may come on the defensive line rather than the offensive line for H-SC

“I think Sean is going to be one of the strongest linemen in Hampden-Sydney’s preseason camp,” Phillips said. “I think he’s going to get a little taste on the defensive side of the ball and he will do a good job with that, he’s always been very hard-nosed and very aggressive.”

“(H-SC) has a small-town atmosphere and a really competitive team,” Clark said. “I really liked that. I’m not used to losing.”

A.J. Parrish, a first-team Group AA linebacker last season, will attend Shepherd University in Shepherd, W.Va. The Rams finished 2008 at 5-5 and had a 3-5 record in the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

Parrish, who will study sports management, could have an immediate impact at linebacker.

“With the types of seasons A.J. has had here at Amherst County, I think he’s going to be able to contribute right early,” Phillips said. “He’ll be looking to contend for a starting linebacker spot. I know Shepherd was really for A.J. and wanted to get him over as soon as possible after they saw his tape. They persuaded him very aggressively and it has paid off for both of them.”

“It’s a good school and I look forward to playing,” Parrish said. “Hopefully, I’ll show them what I’m made of and get a starting linebacker spot. There is a spot at linebacker open (for this coming season). If I show them what I’ve got, hopefully I will start.”

“Coach (Phillips) sent them my highlight tape and the next day they called telling me how good I was and they had a scholarship for me. That’s when I fell in love with them,” Parrish said. There is going to big a big difference between high school and college, but I’m ready for the challenge.”

Parish also received his Black Lion Award at the signing ceremony.

The award commemorates Don Holleder, a consensus first-team All-American football player at West Point in 1954 and later a major in the Army’s First Infantry Division who died attempting to evacuate wounded soldiers from a battlefield in 1967.

The Black Lion Award is not an individual award in the same sense as a most valuable player award because it is intended to go to a player who personifies team play. It is awarded to the player who best exemplifies the character of Don Holleder –– leadership, courage, devotion to duty, self-sacrifice, and above all an unselfish concern for the team.

“It is a very special award handed out to kids across the country,” Phillips said. “Holleder’s motto was basically not self but others.”

“Today is just a tribute to the amount of work and sacrifice that Tyrease, Sean, Cody and A.J. have put in, not just in the weight room, on the practice field or in the games, but also in the classroom,” Phillips said. “Today is the day that all the hard work was paid back. I’m very, very proud of them.”

“I’m going to miss (Amherst),” Brown said. “That’s the main thing. I’m going to miss it here. I wish I could play one more year,” and try to get a championship ring, he said.

“I loved it here at Amherst,” Parrish said. “And, I just want to thank all the fans for their support.”