Walker and Joel Hill, middle front row, sign to play soccer at ECCC as family and coaches surround them.

Drew Taylor remembers watching former Florida quarterback Tim Tebow as a young child, wondering if he could one day be a star like the then-Gators signal caller.

Back then, he couldn’t lift weights, but he did start a routine of doing a ton of pushups and sit-ups a day in order to build strength. Fast forward to this past season at Russell Christian Academy, Taylor doubled up at both quarterback and middle linebacker to help lead the Warriors to an Alabama Christian Education Association eight-man state championship. 

Wednesday morning, Taylor signed a letter of intent to continue his football career at Mississippi College. No longer a small child, Taylor is now an impressive physical specimen, and he credits reading a book about Tebow when he was young as his inspiration to keep growing physically and as a football player.

“Growing up, I saw a picture of Tim Tebow and how huge of a kid he was, and I worked to be bigger than him and play like he played,” Taylor explained. “That’s who I molded myself after.”

Assistant football coach David Holified said because of that obsession, Taylor became one of the most driven players he’s ever coached, and he expects big things out of Taylor at Mississippi College.

“It’s such a privilege,” Holifield said of watching Taylor sign with the Choctaws. “He’s the kind of kid you love to coach. Everything is, ‘Yes sir,’ and the work ethic… I’ve never met a kid like that who works really, really hard.”

Taylor, a Premier Preps selection this past fall, passed for 2,679 yards and 40 touchdowns this past season while rushing for 1,016 yards on 132 carries. Defensively, he tallied 114 tackles and 36 assists.

“He was everything for us,” Holifield said. “He was our quarterback, he was our leading scorer, and as a running quarterback, he reminded me of Tebow. He was our leading tackler, and that’s where he’ll play (at Mississippi College), on the defensive side of the ball.”

Having the chance to continue his football career is something for which Taylor is extremely grateful.

“I’ve been dreaming about it ever since the fourth grade,” Taylor said. “I’ve been looking forward to it for a while.”

And Mississippi College is a good place to keep his love for football going, Taylor added.

“I love the coaching staff,” Taylor said. “They make it a point to develop a good relationship with you. I also met some of the players, and they make you feel like you’re a part of the team even before signing. I also talked to Eric Washington, who used to play here (at RCA) and is there now, and that was a big part of my decision.”

While he’s ready to keep the dream going, Taylor said he realizes there are other young would-be football players who want to play at the next level just like him, and he hopes he set a good example for those future stars.

“Work hard, trust God and be dedicated to him and your work ethic,” Taylor said was his advice to those children. “It’ll all work out according to his will.”

NEWTON COUNTY SIGNEES

Five Newton County tennis players and two Newton County soccer players made it official Wednesday afternoon when they signed with East Central Community College to continue their respective careers.

Dylan Barnett, Josie Hurst, Ali Grace Walker, Kayla Baucum and Peyton Chaney all signed with ECCC to play tennis, and Walker was also a soccer standout for the Lady Cougars since the ninth grade and will play that sport at ECCC as well. Meanwhile, two-time Premier Preps selection Joel Hill also signed with the Warriors for soccer.

Walker said she’s been looking forward to playing college tennis since her freshman year, and the reality of going to college hasn’t set in yet, but she’s grateful playing for Newton County has given her the opportunity to keep doing what she loves.

“It’s amazing to be a part of this team,” Walker said. “Not everyone gets to enjoy the team setting I’ve experienced every day, and we take advantage of it.”

ECCC not only offered her a chance to play tennis, but it also allowed her to stay close to home.

“I’ve always lived close to the school, and they’re very accepting,” Walker said. “I toured other colleges, but East Central just felt like home.”

Chaney said the opportunity to keep playing tennis was a testament to how hard he and the rest of the team have worked to accomplish what they have in high school, which includes a Class 4A state championship in 2017 and an opportunity to make it two in a row this year.

“It’s a good way to show that all the hard work you’ve put in has paid off,” Chaney said. “There aren’t a lot of people who get the opportunity to do that, so it’s a special moment.”

For Chaney, tennis is something he only picked up in the last several years, and he wasn’t quite ready to let it go.

“It’s a challenge for me every day,” Chaney said on why he wants to keep playing. “I fell in love with it since the ninth grade, and that’s one of the reasons I want to continue, because I haven’t been playing too long.”

Hill, by contrast, has been a soccer player since approximately age 3, and he knew early on he wanted to play the sport for as long as possible.

“I can go to a different place when I’m on the field,” Hill explained. “It’s easy to put everything away and let loose while I’m playing the game I love.”

While he’ll miss high school soccer, Hill said he’s looking forward to improving his game even further at the next level.

“It’s finally hit me that my soccer and tennis careers are over in high school, but I’m looking forward to the next chapter to see what positive things can come out of it,” Hill said.