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Armwood pair make decisions

By FRANK PASTOR

© St. Petersburg Times, published January 25, 2001

TAMPA -- Armwood's Keith Watts and Josh Chilsom grew up in small towns. When it came time to choose colleges, they opted to return to those surroundings.

Watts, who grew up on an Army base in Sierra Vista, Ariz., orally committed to Kansas (in Lawrence) on Tuesday. Chilsom, who was raised in Thonotosassa, committed to East Carolina (in Greenville).

"I guess I'm just a small-town person," Watts said.

Watts was born in North Carolina but moved to Arizona when his father, Kirby, was stationed there. He moved to Florida as a sixth-grader.

He chose Kansas over Central Florida and South Florida. He said the chance to play in the Big 12 Conference, where teams run more than they pass, was a factor in his decision.

"I respect that conference more than any other," he said. "That conference, I think, is the best conference out there. Just to play in it makes me happy."

Watts, a 6-foot-2, 250-pound defensive end, had 82 tackles, including eight for loss, and two sacks after transferring from King before his senior season. His 21 hurries were the most of any Armwood player.

"We barely scratched the surface with him," Armwood coach Sean Callahan said. "He's going to be a phenomenal football player. He was the hardest hitter on our team. We think the upside with Keith Watts is tremendous."

Chilsom chose East Carolina over North Carolina State, South Florida and Central Florida. He was recruited by defensive coordinator Tim Rose, who recruited former Armwood players John Ordway when he was at Boston College and Matt Berengeir when he was at Memphis.

"I felt like I was more wanted," Chilsom said. "It was a small, little town, so that's good for me, too. There's not too much trouble around. I felt like I was home."

Chilsom, a linebacker, had a team-leading 122 tackles despite missing three games. He also had six tackles for loss and four sacks.

"We have a very talented team, but in my opinion, Josh Chilsom is the best football player on the team," Callahan said. "He's the leading tackler in Armwood history."

Both players said they still must pass the SAT, which they will take Saturday.

They bring to six the number of players from Armwood's state semifinal squad who have committed. Chris Murray (Miami), Antwan Allen (Iowa), Joe Stephens (Pittsburgh) and Carl Jones (Cincinnati) also have given oral commitments.

"Most of us have been together for a long time," Chilsom said. "Antwan and Chris Murray and I have been together for four years. I felt pretty good about this year."

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