McClain headlines Pensacola area signings

It's national signing day throughout the Pensacola area for prep football players and soccer players.

In front of a full auditorium, Pensacola High School had 12 football players and one girls soccer player sign letters of intent this afternoon.

The PHS football team had a magical season in 2009, winning the Class 3A state championship. The Tigers topped Miami Belen Jesuit 28-7 in the title game to win the school’s first state football championship in 50 years.

Defensive tackle Jerome McClain, the News Journal’s most valuable player in 2009, signed with Florida Atlantic. Soccer player Courtney Mincy signed to play with the University of West Florida, one of the top NCAA Division II soccer programs in the nation.

Catholic High defensive tackle Randy Bethune signed with Jacksonville University.

Bethune, a News Journal second team All-Area selection, helped the Crusaders to a 11-2 record and a trip to the Class 2B state semifinals. He was rated a two-star prospect by ESPN.com.

Pace High's Greg Peranich began the signing parade this morning with a ceremony inside the Patriots' football team meeting room.

Peranich, who grew up as a soccer player, but became an accomplished kicker for the Pace football team, signed with Samford University. He will start out as a punter with intention on competing to handle all kicking duties for the Bulldogs.

He will join Pace grad Riley Hawkins, a receiver, with the Bulldogs.

"It's really exciting. I did four years of work,'' Peranich. "I really liked Samford. It's a beautiful campus and I just liked the program a lot."

Two Pace High soccer players, Alex Pickrell (UWF) and Jessica Oram (South Alabama) were also expected to sign.

Gulf Breeze soccer stars Maggie Rodgers (Florida Gators) and Kristen Barona (Jacksonville University Dolphins) are signed today at Gulf Breeze High.

The two have been playing soccer together since the fourth grade and are best friends.

"Like I told my mom, this is a dream come true for me because I really had no idea I was going to make it to a big school like Florida and play soccer for them," Rodgers said, just moments after she and Barona signed their scholarships. "I committed to Florida when I was 15."

Other PHS signees

• Jonathan Smith, offensive line, Jackson State
• Ashley Gadson, safety, South Alabama
• De’Andre Nelson, offensive line, Mississippi College
• David Giannotti, wide receiver, Milsaps College (Miss.)
• Mike Jefferson, defensive back, Kentucky Christian
• Keevin Gibbons, offensive line, Kentucky Christian
• Matt Fobian, offensive line, Northland CC (Minn.)
• Anthony Young, defensive line, Northland CC
• Kemmrick Williams, linebacker, Northland CC
• Torris Newberry, defensive back, Northland CC
• Richard Johnson, wide receiver, Northland CC