Wednesday, Feb. 3 was a great day for our football program and for our school. We had the great privilege of having three young men sign to play football at two phenomenal institutions. Brinson Sumner, our place kicker and punter signed with Mercer University in the Southern Conference. One of our offensive linemen, Davis Watson, signed with Cornell University as did our tailback and middle linebacker, Harrison Allen. This is the first time a Darlington player has signed with an Ivy League school. To have two in the same year is truly exciting!
It’s very rewarding for us as coaches when a player is motivated to continue playing after high school and goes on to college to play. We have been very blessed to send quite a number of kids to play at the next level. We currently have Darlington Tigers playing football at every level from the SEC to the MAC, to the Southern Conference in the FCS to Division II, NAIA, and DIII. We are so proud of every single one of these guys and how well they are representing Darlington at various colleges throughout the country. We are just as proud of all of our players who have contributed and are currently contributing to the success of the program. Our hope is that the lessons they learn on the field, in the weight room, and in the locker-room help them as they navigate through life as husbands, fathers, and workers.
When I talk to our former players about the things they remember most about football it’s almost always about the practices or workouts or something from the locker room. There are always big wins or tough losses that are remembered, but by and large it’s the relationships and the time spent together working for something bigger than themselves that is brought up. That’s what makes being a Darlington Tiger so special. It also validates my belief that “there ain’t nothing like a TIGER on Friday night!”
