After standout performances throughout their high school careers, eight seniors signed National Letters of Intent (NLI) to continue playing sports at the collegiate level. Five football athletes, one baseball player, one golfer and a soccer player will all attend school this fall on athletic scholarships.

FOOTBALL

The 2017 football season marked another year of long-standing success, as the Eagles stretched their home winning streak and set many new school records while doing so. This year’s football commits all played major roles on and off the field, and were a huge part of why the program reached the level of success that it did. Out of the five seniors that signed, three will be playing at the Division III level, one at the Junior College level, and another will play Division I ball.

“We’ve had a great group of seniors,” head football coach Todd Rodgers said. “They’ve been very dedicated to our program. It’s obvious that they are very talented because of the number of them that signed today.”

Senior Jon Copeland transferred from Liberty Christian School to Argyle last January, and started for the Eagles this past season, where he made an immediate impact on the program. The Eagles were 8-0 when Copeland suffered a torn ACL and partial MCL tear, causing him to sit out the remainder of the season. In just eight games, he passed over 2,000 yards and helped score 25 touchdowns. Copeland has signed to play Division I football at the University of Incarnate Word in San Antonio, TX.

Standing at 6’5” is former team captain Preston Coyle, who recently committed to play football at the University of Mary Hardin Baylor in Belton, TX. Coyle has been a part of the varsity football team since his sophomore year, when the team advanced to the state championship. Since then, he has helped lead the team well into playoffs every year and has been a huge asset to the team.

What he may lack in experience, Wes McCollum makes up for in natural ability. During his senior season, he was one of two players named Offensive Back of the Year, and he was also placed on the All-Area Football Team roster. McCollum signed to play football at Navarro College in Corsicana, TX.

Senior Cale Nanny has decided to continue his academic and athletic career at Hardin Simmons University in Abilene, TX, after experiencing an amazing season with the Eagles. This year, Nanny was named Co-Offensive Back of the Year, an honor not easily earned. Nanny also received an offer to play football at Austin College before signing with HSU.

The final Eagle football player that committed was Owen Petrie. Petrie will represent the Sul Ross State Lobos in Alpine, TX this upcoming year.

“They’ve been a part of a lot of success on the football field,” Rodgers said. “They’ve been a part of a tradition of five state championship appearances, and a lot of kids in the state of Texas would covet that experience.”

GIRLS SOCCER

Only one Lady Eagles soccer player signed, as senior Hannah Gladys committed to the University of North Texas. Gladys graduated a semester early and was unable to play this season, yet still managed to score 81 goals in her three-year high school career. Although she received interest from various schools at different levels, Gladys decided to continue her career with the Mean Green for many reasons.

“It was really close to home, so I could save money on not living in a dorm,” Gladys said. “I love the environment, and it gave me a lot of opportunities.” 

GOLF

Since the eighth grade, Will Gilster has been playing golf. Freshman year, he became a part of the Eagle’s golf program and has played a key part on the team every year since. He recently helped his team win their fourth consecutive state preview golf tournament, and is now looking to win his fourth straight state championship in the Class 4A Golf State Tournament. The senior signed with Texas Wesleyan University in Fort Worth, TX.

BASEBALL

Rounding out this season’s commitments is senior Ben Pound, who has helped lead the Eagles Baseball team throughout his high school career. While the Eagles already hold a preseason ranking of 19, they are hoping to make a state appearance this season. Pound, along with the other well-experienced seniors on this year’s team, will definitely be a huge contributor for them in reaching that goal. Pound is committed to Bossier Parrish Community College in Bossier City, LA.