At Southeast Lauderdale High School, they’re known as “PTD.”

    In junior college, though, it’ll be “PT” at one school and “D” at the other.

    Tiger seniors Takari Brooks, a safety, and Padarius Martin and Damion Willis, both receivers, signed Wednesday morning on National Signing Day to continue their football careers. Martin and Brooks, with the first initials “P” and “T,” respectively,” inked with Northeast Mississippi Community College, while Willis, or “D,” sent his letter of intent to East Mississippi Community College.

    “It’s a dream come true,” Willis said. “We all said before the season we would get some offers. We all said we’d go our separate ways, and I’m just ready to play against them.

    “It’ll be a good atmosphere, but hopefully, (EMCC will) come out with the win, though,” he added with a grin.

    Martin said, though Willis will now be a rival, all three of them would remain friends as they looked to further their education. Playing against Willis will take some adjusting, however.

    “It first, it’ll be awkward, but when the game is over with, we’ll meet back up,” Martin said.

    Brooks said he’s looking forward to continuing to play football past high school, and signing day was the chance to reap the rewards of the hard work he and his teammates put in.

    “It’s a great opportunity to play college football at the next level,” Brooks said. “I want to thank God for the opportunity — it’s a good moment.”

    Southeast head coach Charles Black said he was proud of each member of PTD for achieving success on the field and getting the chance to play college ball.

“They’re all family, and we’re going to miss them because they meant a lot to our team, but all three are terrific young men, and I think they’ll be very successful with what they do,” Black said. “Hopefully, after junior college, they’ll move on to even bigger and better things.”

MERIDIAN

    Defensive end Kenney Wooten was told by Itawamba Community College he was their No. 1 recruit.

    That, plus a feeling of God’s guiding hand, led Wooten to sign with Itawamba Wednesday morning on National Signing Day. He joined teammates Deonte Brooks, an offensive tackle who signed with Alcorn State, and quarterback J’Mar Smith, a quarterback who signed with Louisiana Tech to play football and baseball.

    “They treat me well out there,” Wooten said. “My mom wanted me to go to Scooba because my brother went there, but I wasn’t really feeling it. God had other plans for me.

    “It’s very special. I now if I want to make it in life, I’ll need to go to college, so it’s a good thing. Basically, I’m getting a free education, so as long as I do my job on the field and in the classroom, I can move on and do better things.”

    The chance at continuing their education is something Wildcats head coach Larry Weems said is important when it comes to developing football players.

    “Every coach wants to see the kids involved in their program have the opportunity to continue, not just to play the sport they love, but to get an education as well,” Weems said. “That will provide for them to have a very successful life in whatever they choose to make a career out of. Anytime you look at that big picture, it’s huge.”

    For Brooks, the chance to play for the defending SWAC champions was just the opportunity he was looking for.

    “This is one of the best days of my life,” Brooks said. “I really love it. I’ve been up there a few times, and it felt like home. Coach (Jay) Hopson is a great person, and I feel like he’ll take care of me when I get up there and get me to where I need to be.”

    For Smith, the opportunity to play both football and baseball was a major selling point in Louisiana Tech’s favor. With a scholarship in hand, Smith said he understands how important it will be to continue to strive for excellence, both on and off the field.

    “I know I’ll have to stay on top of my game and make sure things are going great, in each and every sport,” Smith said.

    Smith also said there was a sense of pride in he and his teammates representing Meridian High School at the next level.

    “I’m very proud of what we’ve done as a team and what we’ve done as brothers these past four years,” Smith said.

    Also signing for Meridian was guard/linebacker Jamal Horn, who is already enrolled at EMCC. Defensive end Marsa Hudnall recently had surgery and will sign with a team in the near future.