Historical day • Seven Indians ink scholarships


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Historical day
• Seven Indians ink scholarships

By BARRY BURLESON
Editor

Photo by Barry Burleson

Davion Johnson of Byhalia will be an Ole Miss Rebel next season. He signed a football scholarship with the University of Mississippi on National Signing Day. In front, from left, are Tammy Johnson, Davion Johnson and Terry Johnson. In back, same order, are coach Jermaine Johnson, head coach John Danley, coach Mike Jenne and coach Chris Watson.

Charles LeSure, Byhalia High School principal, told students gathered in the gym Wednesday, Feb. 6, they were a part of history.

Seven Indians were seated at a table at mid-court, ready to ink their names on college football scholarships on National Signing Day and an eighth undecided on his college choice.

“We’re very proud of these student athletes,” he said. “This is just a taste of what we can accomplish – inside the classroom and outside the classroom.”

LeSure shouted “Indians Take Pride in Their Tribe,” which was followed by an uproar from the student body.

The BHS group was highlighted by offensive lineman Davion Johnson, who will join one of the best recruiting classes in the nation at Ole Miss.

Johnson, 6’4” and 315 pounds, was rated as a 3-star prospect by all the major recruiting services and the number 39 offensive tackle in the country by Scout.com. He helped lead the Indians to the quarter-finals of the 3A state playoffs last season. Scout.com ranked him as the seventh best player in Mississippi.

Johnson was a member of The Clarion-Ledger newspaper’s Dandy Dozen and played in the Bernard Blackwell All-Star Game.

Six other Byhalia seniors signed with junior colleges.

Photos by Barry Burleson

Four Byhalia High School seniors will play football next season for Mississippi Delta Community College. Signing February 6 are (front, from left) Terrence Phinisee, Cordell Anderson, Kenneth Wilson Jr. and Devonte Norman. On the back row, from left, are coach Jermaine Johnson, Louis Wilbert, Katina Wilbert, Angela Tunstall, head coach John Danley, Kasandra Wilson, Kenneth Wilson Sr., Helen Wilson, Tameika Norman and Ashley Shannon.

Four of those – Devonte Norman (RB, DB), Kenneth Wilson (WR, DB), Cordell Anderson (DB, FB) and Terence Phinisee (RB, DB) are going to Mississippi Delta Community College.

Lineman Dayon Davis signed with Northeast Mississippi Community College.

Justin Washington (TE, LB) will attend East Mississippi Community College.

Another Indian, Deandre Buchanan (DB, WR), is also expected to sign a football scholarship but has not made his decision.

“These guys have made great strides and worked hard,” said John Danley, head coach of the Indians. “This is the reward at the end of the rainbow.”

The celebration Wednesday of last week at Byhalia included performances by the dance team, the cheerleaders and the band.

Byhalia’s Dayon Davis signed a football scholarship February 6 with Northeast Mississippi Community College and Justin Washington of Byhalia signed a football scholarship with East Mississippi Community College. In front, from left, are Donna Davis, Dayon Davis, Justin Washington, Laquita Moore and Jonothan Moore; back row, same order, coach Chris Watson, Bertram Davis, head coach John Danley, coach Jermaine Johnson and coach Mike Jenne.

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