Cowboys pair pick schools

By KEITH NIEBUHR
Published April 11, 2006

Two Gaither players signed letters of intent with colleges, giving the Cowboys five signees for the class of 2006. The latest are Mike Bailey to Carson-Newman and Shayne Schmidt to Morehead State. Bailey (5-foot-11, 225 pounds), a linebacker, started one season at Gaither. Schmidt (6-1, 255), a defensive tackle, was a three-year starter.

Gaither seniors Carlton Mitchell (wide receiver, USF), Torrey Esalomi (wide receiver, UMass) and Jonathan Davis (running back, Missouri State) signed earlier this year.

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The athletic directors at Brandon and Newsome said Monday the coaching vacancies at both schools should be filled soon. Newsome, in fact, might have a new coach by week's end.

Jim Wilt (Brandon) and Floyd Graham (Newsome) each steped down in February. Wilt resigned after three seasons and a 13-18 record. Graham left Newsome after three seasons to become athletic director and football coach at Isabella High in Maplesville, Ala.

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Spring practice hasn't started, but several area players from next year's graduating class have received scholarship offers. And Jefferson again has some of the county's most recruited athletes.

Quarterback Stephen Garcia , whom Flavarsity.com rates as the state's No.8 prospect, has scholarship offers from Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Mississippi State, South Carolina and USF. Kansas and Mississippi have offered defensive tackle DeMarcus Cleveland while Kansas and San Diego State have offered offensive tackle Mike Williams .

[Last modified April 11, 2006, 18:46:07]