“It all happened real quick, three colleges were all coming at me, then I went and took a trip to Hampden-Sydney…“, Noah Leonard said for his transfer
ROANOKE, Virginia – At Franklin County, two of the best football players and one of the best wrestlers signed contracts. Eli Foutz will play quarterback for Emory & Henry. After a great season as a senior, wide receiver Ian England will play in the ODAC at Bridgewater College.
Kadin Smith will wrestle at Northern Virginia’s Marymount University. These are just three of the many good things that keep happening in Franklin County.
“As a teacher, it’s important that kids who want to keep learning do so, but if they also want to keep playing sports, that’s just a bonus,” said Bradley Lang, who is in charge of sports. “All the life lessons that sports teach kids, etc., and being able to keep doing that in college is great.”
At Patrick Henry, Jahzae Kimbrough has made a big-time commitment to Kent State. As a defensive back, John-Miller Penn is going to West Virginia State, and Zavion Smith is going to Alderson Broaddus, also in West Virginia. Alan Fiddler’s football program is turning out more great athletes.
“It’s really exciting for us as coaches because when these guys are young and that’s their dream, to be able to live out their dreams today and have the chances they do is exciting,” Fiddler said. “A couple of them are really good. We’re pulling for them, and we hope they do as well there as they did here.”
He told everyone at William Fleming on Tuesday night via Twitter that he was going to VMI. He was a great cornerback and receiver for the Colonels.
“Coach Rocco, Bill Parker, and the new receivers coach, Coach Hampton, did a great job of keeping an eye on me, getting me down there, and telling me I’d be a big part of the team once I got up there,” English said.
Two athletes are moving on at Lord Botetourt in Daleville. Carter Hudson is going to Lynchburg College to run the mile in track and field. Noah Leonard will go to Hampden-Sydney to keep playing baseball and going to school.
Leonard said, “It all happened very quickly. Three colleges were all interested in me at the same time. Then I went to Hampden-Sydney and fell in love with the place, so I knew that’s where I wanted to go.”
Hudson said of Lynchburg, “They have so many All-Americans and are such a talented team that they compete on the national stage.” “It just seems like a great place to live and work all around.”
At Hidden Valley, Division II Glenville State will get kicker Brody Layman from the Titans. The three-year letter winner will leave Hidden Valley having made the third most PATs and the fifth most field goals. He made the second team for both all-district and all-region.
Layman said, “I visited five schools before Glenville. When I went there, I loved the coaches, loved the campus, and loved everything they had to offer.” “I hope all the other kids who come to Hidden Valley looking for something to do hear my story. People don’t like it because it’s kicking, even though it’s a good thing.
Drake McDaniel is going to Emory and Henry at the home of the Bees. Kolby Ferguson is going to Ferrum, and Jordan Kiger is going to Southern Virginia.
At Parry McCluer, big man John Snider will show Emory and Henry what he can do.
