Pens on the West side of the Pearl River were busy Wednesday morning as five West Marion seniors signed to continue their athletic and academic careers on National Signing Day.
Because of the coronavirus pandemic, college players throughout the country were granted an extra year of eligibility, forcing colleges to have to be extra stingy with scholarships offers this year. However, the Trojans senior class was so special that they managed to achieve their dreams.
“It’s very special this year because of the Covid situation,” head coach Brad Duncan said. “There’s a lot of guys that didn’t get to sign anywhere because of the limited numbers. For West Marion to have these guys be able to sign to continue their education, to continue being a part of football is really special.”
Running back Jartavious “Tater Rabbit” Martin ended up with a laundry list of offers before ultimately deciding on the University of Saint Mary over Dakota State because of Saint Mary offering the physical therapy program he desired.
“I had a bunch of great organizations that came after me, and ultimately I had to turn down some actual great sports programs for my career. I went and toured the school, met the coaches and like it up there, so I found a home,” he said. “I have a strong football support system, but they always keep me updated on the fact that football isn’t forever. I may get injured and football is over, so I want to have a strong backbone and foundation I can rely on to have a successful career.”
After running for 944 yards and eight touchdowns as a senior and being named the Region 8-3A Co-Defensive Player of the Year, Marion County MVP and The Columbian-Progress MVP, Martin had 15 offers in total, ranging from Division I (NAIA) to Division II and junior colleges.
He said it means the world to him to be able to continue his athletic career. Martin thanked his family, the community, coaches and West Marion faculty for helping him achieve his dream.
Slot receiver Qavonte Swanigan, who was a four-year starter for the Trojans, said it means a lot to him to ink a scholarship because growing up everyone wants to make it to the next level.
“That’s all I’ve been dreaming about since I was little, since I was in the third grade and started playing football,” he said.
The electric playmaker tore his ACL during the first game of his sophomore season and said it was a difficult journey to get back to form, but he knew he had to work even harder to achieve his dream.
Swanigan was the first of the Trojans seniors to be offered, but he shut down his recruitment and committed to Pearl River in December, saying he knew from the moment he stepped foot on the Poplarville campus he was home.
“(The coaches) are real good people who you can talk to about anything. It just felt like home,” he said.
Swanigan said he wouldn’t be in the position he’s in without his family.
“I’d like to thank my mom (Angela) especially and my father (John). I grind for him every day since he passed away,” he said.
Swanigan finished his Trojans career with 126 catches, 1,855 receiving yards and 18 receiving touchdowns.
For 6-foot-5 defensive end Ka’Marius Husband, Jones College was the perfect fit for him because it felt like home and a bigger version of Columbia. The pass rusher, who totaled 20 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks the past two years, also had offers from Oklahoma Panhandle State, Bluefield State, Pearl River, Southwest Mississippi Community College and several others.
“Coming from a small town in Kokomo, it’s something to be proud of every day. Just the fact of waking up and being able to grind and say, ‘I’m going to college to do this’ is a pleasure and a blessing,” he said.
Husband thanked God first and foremost, as well as his coaches for making him the best player he can be.
“Coach (Don) Clanton made me feel like water, like I could fit in anywhere,” he said.
Hibley said it’s one of the best feelings in the world to sign a letter of intent because it’s something he’s worked for his entire life.
“For it to finally be here, it’s a big step,” he said.
Ethan Hibley will be joining Husband and former Trojans Jordyn Mahaffey at Jones next season. The 6-foot-5, 310-pound offensive tackle had a whirlwind of a recruitment with not receiving an offer until Jan. 30 and getting offered by four junior colleges (Jones, East Mississippi, Hinds and Mississippi Gulf Coast) in one day.
“It was crazy with all these offers coming in in one day,” he said. “It was hectic, and I had to make a quick decision.”
The coaching staff and the proximity to home were the selling points that led him to Jones.
Hibley said he had some of the best years of his life at West Marion, and he thanked his mom, all of his coaches and teammates for pushing him to be better than he was the day before.
Jarvis Craft, who was a great high school player in his own right, is going a different route and will be a football manager at Pearl River.
“I love high school football, don’t get me wrong. I always wanted to be a part of a brotherhood, but what I want to do with my life is focus on my studies,” he said. “I still want to be a part of that football atmosphere, and I love being with my guys and helping them out.”
Craft said a lot of people have helped him get to college, including his mom, Lucretia Green, and his grandmother, Mamie, who he said do everything for him.
“I love these boys up here; these are my brothers,” he added. “I love this school, and I want to thank all the faculty and administrators for everything y’all did for me, for the recommendations, teaching me stuff and just giving me the opportunity to be where I am now.”
