Northeast Lauderdale High School is sending six of its best and brightest to continue their talents at the collegiate level after the students signed letters of intent Friday.

 

Caden Pearsell and Matt Wolvers will head to East Mississippi Community College where they will join the Lions’ soccer team in addition to continuing their education.

 

Luke Lott, head soccer coach at Northeast Lauderdale, said he has only had an opportunity to coach the two seniors for two years but is excited about their opportunities and what it says for the future of the Trojans’ soccer program.

 

“It kind of just shows the excellence that we do have here at Northeast Lauderdale,” he said. “I haven’t been able to coach them but for two years, but it just shows the excitement that we do have for the sport and the game around here.”

 

Both Pearsell and Wolvers made an effort to share their knowledge with younger players, Lott said, and that will hopefully translate into even more Northeast soccer players signing in years to come.

 

The Trojans Band is also sending seniors to the next level with Matthew Green and Christian Hopson heading to join the EMCC band, while Rickey Nicks will go to Alabama State.

 

Northeast High Band Director Wesley Lollis said he is excited to see students’ hard work and efforts pay off.

 

“Matthew Green and Christian Hopson have both done very well for us this year,” he said. “It’s made my year a lot easier.”

 

Incidentally, Lollis said, both Green and Hopson have expressed a desire to pursue careers and band directors.

 

“I told them to hurry pm up and get on out of there so I can retire.”

 

Northeast Color Guard’s Jordan Walker also plans to head to the Yellowhammer State but will stay closer to home by joining the color guard at the University of West Alabama.

 

“I’m just excited. I’m ready to continue to my color guard career at UWA,” she said. “I’m just so ready.”

 

Finally, Trojan pitcher and infielder Maddox Smith will head to Southeastern Baptist College in Laurel to continue both his athletic and academic careers.

 

Baseball coach Brock McKnight said receiving an athletic scholarship in any sport is a huge achievement as teams only take the best they can find. Smith, he said, has worked exceptionally hard and earned the opportunity.

 

“I couldn’t be any more proud of him. Extremely hard worker, extremely talented. It’s always an awesome opportunity when any of our student athletes can commit and sign to be at the next level,” he said.