QUITMAN — A trio of Quitman High School football players announced Wednesday their intentions to continue playing the sport they love at the next level.

Defensive back Shamorie Harris, defensive lineman Zeke Campbell and linebacker Brijuan Dace will all be playing football in a new uniform this coming fall. Harris inked with Hinds Community College, Campbell signed with Pearl River Community College and Dace will head to Louisiana-Lafayette as a preferred walk-on.

“These young men were some of the first junior high guys during my time here,” Quitman football coach Steve Bynum said. “They were the first group of ninth graders that came over when I took over. All three have been leaders on and off the field for us. Obviously looking at the stats, you can see what they’ve done on the field, but if you check their grades, their ACT scores and all that stuff, you can see what they’ve done in the classroom as well.”

For Dace, a Premier Preps selection, Louisiana-Lafayette offered a desired major most other schools didn’t.

“They’re one of the closest schools that (offers) petroleum engineering, and I like the environment,” Dace said. “I like the team. There aren’t a whole lot of schools for the amount of money I’ll be making, so it’s a good career choice.”

Harris said Hinds Community College offered the kind of environment for which he was looking in a school.

“(I like) the coaches and the connection I had with them,” Harris. “When I stepped on campus, it felt like a home environment.”

Campbell said similar things about Pearl River Community College that Harris said about Hinds, citing the home atmosphere and the coaching staff as key reasons for signing with the Wildcats. He also said he can’t wait to get on campus.

“(I’m looking forward to) adventuring off, getting away from home and starting to grow up,” Campbell said.

While he’ll miss playing with his two senior teammates, Harris said he was happy to see both himself and his friends get the opportunity to continue playing football.

“They’re my brothers,” Harris said. “They’ve been pushing me since ninth grade — really junior high and my whole life.”

Playing in college is also a chance to represent his high school and his hometown, Campbell said.

“It means a lot, because everyone doesn’t get a chance to play at the next level,” Campbell said. “I just thank God I get a chance to do it.”

No matter how far they go, Bynum said he’ll keep rooting for his former players once they’ve suited up for their new schools.

“Anytime we have a signing where kids are able to go on and further their education and play at the next level, you’re kind of a proud coach and father figure,” Bynum said. “You feel like you’re watching your kids you’ve helped mold and develop go on and do great things, so everyone is just kind of overwhelmed here at Quitman that they’re going to move on and extremely proud of them, and looking forward to going to watch them play in some different colors.