BY SARAH STEPHENS
ELMORE/AUTAUGA NEWS
Top Photo: From left is Principal Ewell Fuller, Jackson Thomas, Colton Walls, Josiah Scott, Kameron Stokes and Coach Brian Bradford. (EAN Photo by Sarah Stephens)
A crowd of family, friends and students filled the gymnasium at Stanhope Elmore High Wednesday to witness four Mustang football players move to the next level of play after high school.
Jackson Thomas and Colton Walls signed to play at Troy University, while Kameron Stokes and Josiah Scott will play for Tuskegee University.
“This is a very special day,” Former Head Coach Brian Bradford said. “This is something that I know these parents and these players have dreamed about their whole lives.”
He said that only 6.7 percent of all high school athletes ever play a down of college football. For these guys to be able to sign a scholarship for someone to invest money in them to get a free education, it is an awesome day.
“They get to do this in football. I am not knocking any other sport…but football is something special because it requires a different kind of bond. It is a little bit different. In football if you don’t do what you are supposed to do, the team doesn’t really get to do as well, but also someone can get hurt or end their career. It is a really special day for these guys to get to sign with their teammates.”
SEHS Principal Ewell Fuller said that every student at his school has been a blessing in his life. He loves seeing them succeed, and seeing these players move on to college athletics means a lot to him.
He shared a story of how Auburn Coach Bryan Harsin was at the school scouting players.
Harsin told Fuller he already knew about the skill level of players he was watching. But he wanted to know how they acted at the school, and academically.
“The most important part is that daily walk. It is how you handle yourself as a young man or young lady. And (these players) have done an exemplary job at it. I could not be more proud of you. I want you to look deeper and look further and have a bigger picture. It is bigger than the sports….because one day it is going to end. It ended for me and others who went to the next level. But let me tell you what doesn’t end. Character. Doing the right thing when no one is looking. That is what will carry these young men. I am super proud and cannot wait to see what is to come. I am just happy that God shared you with me.”
Colton Walls –
Coach Bradford said it is very difficult to sign a college scholarship in athletics. You have to be one of the best players around.
“Colt did that. He is one of the best football players around, so he is getting to play college football. Not only that, about two months ago, he signed a Division 1 scholarship to Troy, also, to play baseball. I have never had an opportunity to coach somebody to sign D1 in two different sports. It is unreal. It is almost unheard of.”
Bradford continued, “Not only has he decided to play football, he signed originally to be a long snapper at Troy. Now he will play tight end. So, he will not only play one position in two different sports, he is also playing dual positions. So that tells you the type of player he is.”
In football, Bradford said that Colt could play just about any position they had. “He is a tremendous player. Work ethic is unmatched. He was voted team captain this year.”
Colton said he knew his whole life he wanted play sports, but his original love was for baseball.
Troy athletics played a big part of his life as both of his parents are alumni.
While his original love was baseball, things changed a bit when he met Coach Bradford, who encouraged him to join the football team. “The rest is history,” Colton said. He said he is following his dream and appreciates his coaches, friends and family over the years who have been a constant support system.
He thanked his parents for being his number one supporters. He thanked God for his ability and the chance to move on to college level athletics.
Jackson Thomas –
Coach Bradford spoke highly of his player, saying he believes Jackson set new records during his time at SEHS.
Bradford said when it came time for planning games, the discussion was “How are going to get Jackson the ball? Because he was so dynamic. He has been a playmaker for the last couple of years.”
In speaking of Jackson’s stats, Bradford said Jackson ran 2,500 all all-purpose yards with over 20 touchdowns. He ended this year with 73 receptions, or an average of more than seven catches a game.
He had over 40 runs as a quarterback or running back.
“He was a tremendous player. We are so excited to see what he can do once he gets to the college level. Troy is getting a good one.”
Jackson said, above all, he thanks God. He thanked his parents, sisters and friends for their continued support and promised to make them proud.
He said he appreciates all of the coaches who continued to push him and have high expectations.
Kameron Stokes –
New SEHS Head Coach Hunter Adams said that an amazing thing is that this is the third signing day at SEHS to celebrate a member of the Stokes family to play college ball. “It is an amazing testament to their entire family, how hard they work and the values that they teach. As a student athlete trying to make it to the next level, the single most important thing that you have to have is work ethic. This young man, Kameron Stokes, embodies work ethic.”
Kameron thanked his family, and his father in particular, for pushing three important things throughout his life. “That was my grades, my work ethic and my character,” Kameron said. “He told me to learn something every day and apply it. He told me to always do my best. I see you all smiling and I am smiling with you. I will do my best.”
Josiah Scott –
“Physically, Josiah embodies what modern offensive football has become,” Coach Adams said. “He is a big guy that plays like a small, fast guy in a very valuable position. Beyond just those physical skills, he demonstrates tremendous academic aptitude. It has been a pleasure to teach him every day as a student in my second period 12th grade English class to see just how smart and diligent he is. It is going to be exciting to see him dedicate himself to something on a higher level. We have no doubt that he will go on and make Stanhope Elmore High proud.”
Josiah said that first he had to thank God. He thanked his family for their support system. He credited his coaches and the staff at SEHS for helping him along the way. He said none of this would be possible without the tremendous support he has received over the years.
“You are here every day,” he said. Josiah said he was encouraged to strive for greatness in all areas, to become a better version of himself. He said he will continue to strive for greatness not only in athletics, but academics.
