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Shelby County High School’s Chase Franklin signed a scholarship to attend Huntingdon College to play football and was honored during a signing ceremony on Wednesday, May 15. (Reporter photo/Alec Etheredge)

By ALEC ETHEREDGE | Sports Editor

COLUMBIANA – Since the age of five, Chase Franklin has played the game of football, which led to a growing passion for the sport each year, but at that time, he didn’t know just how big his dream was until close to 13 years later on Wednesday, May 15, when the Shelby County senior signed to continue playing football at Huntingdon College.

Once he played his final down with the Wildcats, Franklin thought that was it. He thought the dream he had since he first laced his cleats up in pee-wee ball had faltered with no colleges showing interest in him.

But a month ago, a new fortune aligned for him.

“I really gave up football six months ago,” Franklin said. “Then Huntingdon called last month and wanted me, and all of a sudden my dream was alive again. I just can’t believe it’s coming true.”

That phone call changed Franklin’s attitude and future, as tears still fill his eyes just thinking about it.

“That phone call was nice,” Franklin said. “They said they wanted me to come on a visit and see if I liked it, but the next thing I knew, they were offering me a scholarship.”

Getting to continue playing the sport he has loved so much for so long almost left him speechless when talking about that next step.

“This is what I love, so getting to continue doing that every day is amazing,” Childers said. “This has been a dream my whole life and I’ve worked real hard at it.”

Franklin got the opportunity to sign his scholarship in front of his parents, his teammates, family members and other friends during the signing ceremony, and knows Shelby County High School has left a lasting impact on him moving forward.

“I couldn’t have done this without everybody here,” Franklin said. “I’ve learned a lot form coach (Heath) Childers and coach (Casey) Crumpton. I wouldn’t be a college football player if it wasn’t for them.”

During his time with Shelby County, Franklin could do just about anything the coaching staff needed him to, which caused praise from both Childers and Crumpton going into the 2018 football season.

Doing whatever he needed to in order to help out the team was a big reason Huntingdon called, and now he has not only made himself proud by continuing to live a dream, but he’s made his parents and family proud, his coaching staff proud and his teammates proud.

Now the next step awaits for him, as he looks to have an impact at the next level, but playing with Shelby County will always hold a special place in his heart.

Franklin said one thing will stick out to him more than any other when looking back on his memories with the Wildcats.

“Just playing. Playing on Friday nights, under the lights here at home.”

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