Central stars sign with B-CC

By GREG AUMAN

© St. Petersburg Times, published February 8, 2001

BROOKSVILLE -- The incoming football class at Bethune-Cookman College includes six pairs of high school teammates, but the Wildcats will be hard-pressed to find a tandem that fit together as well as Central's Jerry Daniels and Lance Holland.

The two Bears signed national letters of intent Wednesday morning to accept scholarships to the NCAA Division I-AA school in Daytona Beach. Filling out the paperwork at the same table, the seniors shared the kind of back-and-forth banter you get from only the best of friends.

"Nine forty-seven," Holland announced as he signed and dated his letter.

"I think I had 9:45," Daniels boasted with a smile.

"Nine forty-eight," corrected Daniels' mother, Helen Mensah, with the first of several comments to bring a room full of proud relatives and teachers to laughter.

Daniels, the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Player of the Year after rushing for 810 yards and nine touchdowns, will play running back at B-CC. Holland, who finished with a school-record 18 sacks, will get a look at outside linebacker.

The two met on Central's junior varsity team as freshmen in 1997 and became fast friends. As co-captains last fall, they led the Bears to a playoff berth. Asked for their first memories of each other, both paused and grinned.

"I just remember him standing there looking goofy," Daniels said, hinting at Daniels' 6-foot-4, 195-pound physique.

"I remember his helmet, with 'SACK MAN' across the top," Holland said. "They labeled him Sack Man his first two years, then I took that name back."

The two have enjoyed many moments. But both recalled last season's 12-6 victory over Fort Myers Cypress Lake, which saw Holland record a school record six sacks and Daniels clinch the win by returning an interception 28 yards for a touchdown.

Central coach Steve Crognale spoke of both players with pride, saying they had helped make this season the most enjoyable in his six years with the Bears.

"Anytime you get a young man to sign, it makes you proud," Crognale said. "To give them an opportunity to further their education, that's the most important thing. Playing football is definitely a bonus, but it's the education that counts. Hopefully, they have fond memories of here."

Daniels and Holland join a select group of Central players to accept football scholarships, including Duke's Curtiss Bunch and Auburn's Tyrone Goodson.

"I thank God for Lance choosing to go to college," said his grandfather, James Holland. "For him to get a four-year scholarship, he's blessed."

Bethune-Cookman coach Alvin Wyatt, who played at BCC with former Brooksville standout Maulty Moore in the mid 1960s, said he was thrilled to have both players as part of his incoming class.

"We think we're getting some great steals in these two fine young men," Wyatt said. "Lance is an outstanding pass rusher who can fill a big void for us, and Jerry is ideal for us at our A-back position. They both can be impact players for us immediately, and I can't wait for them to get here."

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