The Cougar Football program held a ceremony on Wednesday at the PCHS Fieldhouse to recognize seven members of the 2008 Cougar football team who will be moving on to play at the college level. Three others members made their college plans public earlier on National Signing Day. Nubian Peak will be attending Virginia Tech, Josh Miller will be playing for Concord, and Logan Haynes will be playing for Elizabeth City State.

With the new announcement, these players chose from five different colleges to attend. “I am so proud of these young men” said Head Coach Jack Turner. “They have worked hard, and now they are seeing the rewards of that hard work. I’m not just happy because they were good football players either. These are very well rounded young men with excellent character. This is the type of young men we want on our football team and in our County, and it's what the college coaches look for also. They will represent this school and our community well.”

Zane Quesenberry will be the latest Cougar to join the ranks of the Emory and Henry Wasps. The graduating safety who earned All District and All Region honors hopes to see some playing time quickly, as the Wasps are facing a large number of seniors graduating from their stable of secondary players. “I’m really excited” said Quesenberry. “I was really impressed with the school and the classroom environment, and I’m hoping to be able to contribute to the team once I’m there.”

Two Cougars will be moving on to a new school, but will be able to keep the same colors as both C.J. Burleson and Antwyn Calfee will be playing for the Bridgewater Eagles next season. “I cant wait” said Burleson. “I was really happy when I saw how small the classes were, and how friendly everyone was on campus.” Calfee was also impressed with the school. “They have a really nice campus, and of course having the same colors as us is nice” he joked. “But I just really felt comfortable there. They have a really good athletic program and they emphasis academics. I think it’s a great fit.”

Another pair of Cougars will be playing together at a different school this coming fall, as both Langston Lewis and Cam Bailey have been accepted to Ferrum University. “The coaching staff is really doing some good things at Ferrum” said Bailey. “I’m hoping to get there and earn some playing time quickly, but I’ll wait my turn if I have too. I am looking forward to the whole experience though.” Lewis, who was also considering going to Hargrave for a year where he has been accepted, said “Both schools are really nice, but I think my parents and Coach Turner feel like Ferrum might be a better fit for me.” Turner is a Ferrum alumni.

Another player with options is E.J. Dobbins. Dobbins has been accepted by both Glenville State and Concord, and is in the process of deciding on which of the two he will pick. “They are both really good schools, and I could see myself fitting in at either one. I just want to take my time and make sure I make the right decision.” Dobbins will be playing mainly offense in college, but says that Glenville State did mention the possibility of some defensive time as well.

The final Cougar to make his choice is Brandon Hazzard. Hazzard will be following in the footsteps of other former Cougars such as Ernie Hodge and Brandon Anderson as he has been accepted at Hargrave University. “I plan to attend Hargrave for a year to improve my academics and to work on my athletics as well” said Hazzard. “I could have went to some other schools, but I would really like to find a way to get into a bigger Division 1 school. My dream would be to play for Virginia Tech, but there are others I would look at as well.”

While it is great to see so many Cougars moving on to the next level, the way they are getting into college may be the most impressive thing of all. “These young men are getting into these school due to their academic standing” said Coach Turner. “Almost all of them have a grade point average of over 3.2. Not only that, but they are good members of the community. They don’t go out and get into trouble, they just go out and work hard. They’ve put the efforts in on the field, in the weight room, and in the classroom. I couldn’t be happier for them and their families.”

When ask about their feelings towards their success, all of the players agreed that hard work and effort were the keys. “We worked for four years to be successful, and it all finally came together this season” said Calfee. Burleson agreed, adding that “This was a season I’ll never forget. Winning the district, going undefeated in the regular season, beating Salem twice to win the Region Title…..it was all just so great.”

“If I were a rec league or middle school player right now, and I wanted to play for the Cougars and beyond, the biggest thing I could do is hit the books hard” said Bailey. Quesenberry added to that, saying “With major Division 1 schools, you can get athletic scholarships. Those are great, but in these smaller schools it’s all about the academics. The smaller the school, the more important your grades are.”

“These young men are the example to the classes coming up under them” said Turner. “The importance of the classroom side of things is so big now, because athletes are so much alike. You have to have the grades and the behavior to give yourself an advantage over other players. These players have done that, and Pulaski County can be proud of them for that effort.”