Student-athletes from across southeast Kansas decided on their college futures on Wednesday during National Signing Day.
Throughout the day, numerous athletes signed on the dotted line to further their college athletic careers.
Here is a look at the local student athletes that will move on during the fall of 2009:
Stanley Brown, Girard
Utilizing his ability as a fullback will be the next step for Girard senior Stanley Brown as he will move on to play at Fort Scott Community College.
Brown said that going to Fort Scott was a good decision to make.
“Coach Jeff Simms seems like a nice guy,” Brown said “I’m getting a full-ride there ... I feel pretty confident in going there.”
Brown was primarily used as a fullback for the Trojans during the 2008 season and also saw action on the defensive side of the ball.
“They're hard working, I’m hard working, and they were 9-0 last year and the year before,” Brown said. “Hopefully we can do it again next year.”
GIrard head coach Leon Miller said that Brown will be an excellent fit for the Greyhounds.
“Not only is he a good, hard-nosed kid, but he's got good speed, good quickness,” Miller said. “They're real excited about his potential at the fullback position. He's got a lot of up-side for them. Think he's the kind of player who can fit well into their program and continue to be successful.”
And Brown already has his sights set on bigger things.
“I want to stay around here. If I can get a bigger school, that would be nice,” Brown said. “Hopefully I can get a scholarship to a four-year college after I'm done with my two years there.”
Seth Franklin, Southeast
Franklin, a three-year starter for the Lancers, is one of the 11 seniors who played for head coach Bryan Burdette during the 2008 season.
Now, he will take his game to Coffeyville Community College.
“He is a really hard worker and a leader on the offensive line,” Burdette said. “He did a very good job and was out there lead-blocking.”
Franklin, a right guard and linebacker was an All-Crawford-Neosho-Cherokee League honorable mention selection on offense in 2008.
“We are losing 14 seniors with 11 of those on offense,” Burdette said. “He was a big part of that.”
Darian Kelly, Girard
It was announced several months ago, but the Girard senior made it official on Wednesday as he signed to play football at the University of Kansas.
“The coaches there are really good guys,” Kelly said. “You can talk to them like they’re your best friends.”
Being a dual sport athlete (football and basketball), Kelly said that the decision to play football was not an easy one.
“Just the fact of knowing I’m not going to ever play football again was a pretty tough decision,” Kelly said. “There’s always a chance of walking on for basketball at KU, if football didn’t work out.”
Girard head football coach Leon Miller said that Kelly will be a big addition for the Jayhawks.
“His physical abilities are obvious, KU is very excited about his potential in his defensive secondary, specifically,” Miller said. “We all know it who've followed him, he's not been totally healthy for the past couple of years. But he's getting there. As soon as he is, the world is the limit for him.
“Once he's healthy and ready to go, it'll be fun to see what he can do when he feels 100 percent,” Miller said. “When he's feeling 100 percent, and he's getting very close to that point, I think he can do some great things for them.”
Trent Mayberry, Frontenac
Mayberry, a defensive end for the Raiders during his senior season, may be trying something a little newer at Coffeyville Community College.
He said that the Red Ravens are interested in his playing at nose guard.
But, that does not bother Mayberry.
“They’ve [Coffeyville] been interested in me since I was a junior,” Mayberry said.
That was an overriding factor in the Frontenac lineman choosing Coffeyville over Fort Scott Community College.
“I had offers from Fort Scott but, I liked the coaches at Coffeyville,” Mayberry said.
Frontenac head football coach John Palumbo said that Mayberry, who has been a starter for the Raiders since his sophomore season, will fit in well at Coffeyville.
“He works hard in the weight room and I think he has a chance to be very successful at that level,” Palumbo said.
John Oppliger, Frontenac
Oppliger knows that his size may be a factor when he steps on the field for the first time at Fort Scott Community College.
“I am small,” Oppliger said. “I think I’m going to have to work harder for it.”
But that did not stop Oppliger from moving on to play college football.
“I just really wanted to play football,” Oppliger said.
For the Raiders, Oppliger played various positions but the Greyhounds recruited him to play his primary position, outside linebacker.
“He was a man of many talents for us,” Palumbo said. “He was another player that was very unselfish.”
Throughout his high school career, Oppliger played up to five different positions, regardless of his size (5-foot-11, 175 pounds).
“He was undersized a little bit but, he would do anything you ask of him,” Palumbo said.
Fred Sellars, PHS
Sellars, the Dragons’ leading tackler for the last two years, elected to move on to play football at Fort Scott Community College.
The linebacker has been an All-Southeast Kansas League selection in both his junior and senior years as well as an All-State honoree in both years.
“I am sure that he is going to have an opportunity to make an impact at Fort Scott Community College,” said PHS head coach Merle Clark.
Sellars said that going to Fort Scott was the best decision for him.
“The program is good right now,” Sellars said. “They have the best defense in the conference and I really connected with their coach.”
He said that his decision was between Fort Scott and Coffeyville Community College but, he said that he feels he can make a solid contribution right away for the Greyhounds.
“I am working hard and I will have to earn my spot,” Sellars said.
Seth Soper, Colgan
During the 2007 Class 2A state football championship game, Colgan defensive player Seth Soper had 11 tackles.
That has propelled the senior to take his skills on to Independence Community College in the fall of 2009.
“He has given himself a chance to play for a few more years,” said Colgan head coach Chuck Smith.
Soper will join Colgan classmate Robbie Castagno (who will be a sophomore at Indy) in playing for the Pirates.
“I chose Independence because I liked the coaches,” Soper said. “They are on the rise.”
Soper said that moving on to the next level, where he will play either linebacker or defensive end, is a good move for him.
“I’m happy to get the opportunity to keep playing,” Soper said. “I’ve thought about doing it ever since I was a kid.”
Shane Stroud, Frontenac
Most incoming college students say that they chose their college because it was close to home.
Not Stroud.
“Honestly, I really didn’t want to be close to home,” Stroud said.
But, on Wednesday, Stroud signed a National Letter of Intent to play football at Fort Scott Community College.
“I just love football and not a lot of people get a chance to play at the next level,” Stroud said.
He was accepted to attend Kansas State University but elected to play football for the Greyhounds instead.
And, he knows that he will have to work for whatever he gets at Fort Scott.
“I think that I will definitely have to work for it,” Stroud said.
During his high school career, Stroud played both tight end and offensive tackle, but it is tight end where the Greyhounds are wanting him to play.
“He was a great leader,” Palumbo said. “He has come a long way.”
His flexibility on the field could be an asset for Fort Scott.
“It shows that he is willing to put the team first,” Palumbo said.
Bryan Stuck, Southeast
In just his second year playing football, Stuck has made an impact.
So much so that Fort Scott Community College is requesting his services as a left offensive guard.
“He is very smart and he’s got good size with a frame that can get bigger,” Burdette said.
Even with just two years of playing experience, Burdette said that Stuck can do good things for the Greyhounds.
“He has a lot of potential,” Burdette said. “He is just a little raw because he does not have a lot of playing experience.
“Their coaches think he can come in and make an impact,” Burdette said. “If you make the roster, you are playing somewhere.”
Matthew Clark can be reached at matthew.clark@morningsun.net or at 620-231-2600, Ext. 140
