About a week after two Mount Pleasant teammates signed letters of intent to continue playing their chosen sport together, another set of Tiger teammates will continue their own playing careers as part of the same team.
Mount Pleasant volleyball teammates Genesis Roberson and Ladi Guereca both signed with Southwestern Christian College in Terrell and, just last week, Tiger football teammates Nic Chappell III and Anthony Jeffrey both signed with Louisiana Christian University (the former Louisiana College).
Chappell III, a middle linebacker, and Jeffrey, a safety, both signed with the Wildcats Wednesday afternoon within an hour of each other.
“It’s irreplaceable to see the look on a kid’s face when they get something they worked tirelessly to achieve,” said Mount Pleasant Athletic DIrector Ritchie Pinckard.
Both Chappell III and Jeffrey were part of the first freshman class Coach Pinckard had as football coach four years ago.
“When you come into a place, you evaluate kids on who they are and what they’re about by watching what they do,” Coach Pinckard said. “Nic is one of those guys who loves football because it’ s football. He loves the nuts and bolts of the game. Anthony, you could tell how much he loves the game of football and I know how much he wanted this opportunity. He loves to work and be part of the team. I’m going to miss them both, but they have the opportunity to do so much, both on and off the field.”
Chappell III called the experience “surreal.”
“I didn’t know what was going to happen,” he said. “They first got in touch with me in December. They came to the fieldhouse and I didn’t know what to expect. As the process went on, it really felt like this is where God wanted me to be.”
Jeffrey was grateful for his offer.
“After the season, I was in a dark place because I thought I was never going to play football again,” he said. “I kept working and God blessed me with an opportunity at LCU. I’m glad they took a shot on me, so I can continue my dream. I want to go to the NFL. I know it’s a small school but I know God’s going to guide me to that goal.”
Chappell III, who was also part of Mount Pleasant’s cheerleading squad, said his style of play wasn’t hard to understand.
“I’m a smashmouth linebacker that will knock you in your teeth,” he explained. “I’m old-school with the neck roll. That’s what I’m about and that’s why I like it.”
Jeffrey said he was looking forward to honing his craft and continuing to chase his dream of playing in the NFL.
“I plan to gain weight and improve my footwork,” he said. “I want to improve my craft and get to the draft. It will be a long journey, but I believe I can do it.”
Jeffrey added that he looked forward to bringing his entire skillset to LCU.
“I love to hit and I can cover, too, so they’re going to get the whole package,” he said.”The coaching staff wants defensive backs that can hit and cover. I want to be in that position on the field.”
The Wildcats, coached by Drew Maddox, finished last season 4-7 overall with a 4-5 record within their conference, good for sixth place. LCU, located in Pineville, La., is part of the NAIA’s Sooner Athletic Conference with Southwest Assemblies of God, Arizona Christian, Ottawa University-Arizona, Oklahoma Panhandle State, Wayland Baptist, Texas Wesleyan, Langston, Lyon College and Texas College.
While most of the Wildcat roster comes from Louisiana, the Tiger duo will have a teammate with Northeast Texas ties in Paul Pewitt alum Demarcus Hill.
The roster also has East Texans Japatrick Blanton of Tatum, Nate Murry of Carthage, Chris Shepard of Jefferson, Amare Howard and Darryl Jones Jr. of Tyler T.K. Gorman and Lacorey Buckley and Jumarcus McCollister Jr. of Center.
Chappell III said he would major in either finance or accounting while Jeffrey plans to major in electrical engineering.
Chappell III said he’d miss his “mama’s cooking” the most.
“It’s going to be tough not having that, but I’ll get through it,” he said.
Jeffrey said he would miss sharing the field with his Tiger teammates.
“We did something a lot of people said we couldn’t – make the playoffs,” he said. “We wanted to go farther, but sometimes things don’t end the way we want them to.”
Chappell III said heading to LCU with a longtime teammate would make the process more comfortable.
“I’m looking forward to fall camp and getting down there with Anthony,” he said. “I’m hoping to room with him to have someone I know down there.”
Jeffrey agreed with the sentiment.
“With Nic committing, it made me feel more comfortable,” he said. “I’ll have someone I’ve been around my whole life that I’m comfortable with. I won’t have to look for outsiders; I’ll have someone I’ll have known my whole life.”
Both Chappell III and Jeffrey remembered their first varsity starts as a fond memory of their time playing in the black and gold.
“I didn’t believe varsity speed was as different as I was told, but my eyes were opened,” Chappell III said. “I was fortunate enough to be in the goalline package late in the Jacksonville game my sophomore year. We were up five and they tried to run quarterback power. I was fortunate enough to make the game winning tackle; I played my technique and made the tackle and we won the game. That first start was crazy. I remember that night like it was yesterday.”
“I had a lot of doubt and people were worried I wouldn’t be ready and I proved them wrong. I’ll miss the lights and hearing my name called all night in my hometown,” Jeffrey said.
Both Jeffrey and Chappell III advised athletes who also hope to chase their dreams on the field to work hard on the field and in the classroom.
“You need academics to back up your skills and keep playing,” Jeffrey said. “You have to work hard on the field because a lot of players can be just as good as you so you work hard to be above them.”
“You really need to take care of yourself in the classroom, because coaches keep an eye on that and stay on you about your grades,” Chappell III added. “Any work that you put in, you have to give it your all. Give 110 percent every day.”