12 Pensacola High stars take next step

Pensacola High football coach Mike Bennett may have fielded more talented teams than the one in 2009.

He's surely had more talented individual players.

But it was togetherness, something Bennett saw from the start of summer practices, that set this group apart. And wouldn't you know, that bond pushed the team to a 14-1 record and its first state football championship in 50 years.

On Wednesday — national signing day — sitting at a table that stretched the entire width of the school's auditorium, 12 Tiger teammates took the next step together as well, signing to play college football at institutions across the country.

"This is a special group all around just because of the attitude, the character, they're willing to give you everything they have," Bennett said. "That's what you remember about these guys. From the summer on, they worked hard. On the field and off the field, they've just been a great group of young men."

That group of 12 will move on to play college football at seven different institutions ranging from NCAA Division I-A — the highest classification of college football — to NAIA and junior college. While a small handful earned athletic scholarships, most of the group was able to earn grants and academic scholarships in order to keep playing the sport they love.

"It's great. When it's all said and done, this is what you look forward to, guys getting an opportunity to go someplace to go to school," PHS coach Mike Bennett said. "Whether its athletic or academic (scholarships) put together or whatever it is, it's great."

The highest profile signee was defensive tackle Jerome McClain, the News Journal's most valuable player in 2009. He is the only area football player to sign with a current NCAA Divsion I-A team, inking a letter of intent with Florida Atlantic.

McClain is a perfect example of this team's unshakable bond.

After playing his freshman season at PHS, McClain moved to Washington state with his family for two years.

He begged to return for his senior season so he could join back up with his lifelong friends.

His parents relented, and McClain became a crucial disruptive force across the Tiger defensive front.

"Everybody was cool with everybody. We were like a family," McClain said. "We all got along real well, played together real well and we all had that one goal and that was to win state. And this is the final step, signing day. It's real big."

Offensive lineman Jonathan Smith (Jackson State) was the only Tiger to sign with a Division I-AA program while Ashley Gadson signed with South Alabama.

News Journal first-team All-area guard De'Andre Nelson (Mississippi College) and receiver David Giannotti (Millsaps College) signed with rival Division III schools. Mike Jefferson and Keevin Gibbons signed with Kentucky Christian, an NAIA school while five signed with Northland Community College in Minnesota, a school that has become an active feeder for PHS players in recent years. Linebacker Kemmrick Williams, the News Journal's defensive player of the year, headlines the Northland group.

Whether its a state championship or signing day, this year's senior class has sewn itself firmly into the fabric of the 105-year history of PHS football. And it was togetherness, they say, that put them over the top.

"What I'll remember the most is that we were the best family," Giannotti said.

"Not the best team, but the best family. They'll always be my best friends."