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Calera had seven total players sign to play collegiate athletics at a signing ceremony on Wednesday, Feb. 5. (Reporter photo/Alec Etheredge)

By ALEC ETHEREDGE | Sports Editor

CALERA – In front of a packed auditorium on National Signing Day, seven different Calera athletes took their turn stepping up to sign their letter of intent to continue playing sports at the next level on Wednesday, Feb. 5.

As each set of two stepped to the table to sign, the crowed got louder and louder, and while many were thrilled to see the decisions of Jayson Jones and T.J. Gilbert, who are both headed to Oregon, watching Jacey Thornton, Heather Borden, Trenton Yowe, Gabe Schweitzer and Markell Kelley was just as special.

“I can truly say each one of these signees is a good person,” said athletic director and head football coach Trey Simpson. “Good people of good habits have good things happen to them. We’re so proud of them and can’t say enough about their work ethic and commitment to Calera High School.”

Thornton was the first up to sign and inked with Dyersburg Community College for softball, while Borden followed by signing with the University of Alabama at Birmingham for bowling.

“We appreciate them for representing who we are as a school,” Simpson said.

Following those two, the football players stepped up to sign starting with Schweitzer, who is going to Delta State to continue his playing days.

“He’s been great for us,” Simpson said. “But he’s an even better person and I’m really happy he got this opportunity. He had an injury this year and I hated it for him, but he’s going to bounce back.”

Following that was Yowe, who has had a strong few seasons for Calera in the secondary at defensive back.

“Trent is a guy with a ton of potential,” Simpson said. “He’s got all the ability in the world. If he stays on track and does the right things, and he’s going to have a great long career.”

Sitting next to Yowe was Kelley, who like Yowe, has a ton of potential and upside. Simpson said the two might have as much upside as any he has ever coached.

“Markell was kind of late to football because he was a basketball guy for a long time,” Simpson said. “He’s still figuring it, but when he figures it out, something great is going to happen. He’s a great kid with no excuses that is committed to doing things the right way.”

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