Sports

Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2009

Recruiting picks up on Coast

The Coast is slowly gaining momentum with Division I football recruiters.

Eight players now boast Division I scholarship offers, and others could enter the fray with the state playoffs starting this week.

Gautier quarterback Travonta Thomas is the latest local standout with a D-I offer.

Arkansas State recently extended a scholarship offer to Thomas, who could wind up at wide receiver for the Red Wolves.

The Red Wolves have also offered a scholarship to Harrison Central quarterback Aerion Williams.

The Coast’s top five players have already made verbal commitments: Ocean Springs linebacker J.T. Dickson (LSU), running back Emil Howze (Southern Miss), Harrison Central running back Furious Bradley (Southern Miss) and George County wide receiver R.J. Spivery (Southern Miss).

The Golden Eagles (5-4) have offered D’Iberville offensive-defensive lineman Dylan Holley.

St. Stanislaus quarterback Dylan Favre continues to wait a D-I offer, but Tulsa, Kansas, Memphis and Florida Atlantic are among the major schools very interested. Harrison Central linebacker Brandon Keel, who has an offer from Army, played with Favre at St. Stanislaus.

The senior, who has over 90 total tackles this season, thinks Favre and Williams can play quarterback at D-1.

“Dylan just need an opportunity,’’ Keel said. “He has the ability and will fight you. Aerion’s got a rocket arm and can sling it. To me, its an honor to play both of them.”

Two players will play baseball on the college level: St. Stanislaus linebacker Boomer Scarborough (Southern Miss) and Harrison Central tackle Wes Rea (Mississippi State).

Here are other seniors to watch: linebacker Keith Barkley (Moss Point), wide receiver Krisjon Wilkerson (St. Stanislaus), defensive back Sam Noblin (Ocean Springs), kicker Will Scott (George County) and quarterback Derrick Lattimore (Gulfport).