High school players begin college visits
No Columbia County football team has played a game since Nov. 6, but that doesn't mean the players haven't kept busy.
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Greenbrier's Eugene Rogers returned to the field against county rival Evans High School in September after suffering a broken wrist early in the season. Rogers will visit Liberty and Navy, but has also received interest from Middle Tennessee State, Cincinnati, Georgia Southern, Presbyterian, Wofford and West Georgia.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
For the county's elite high school players, another season has recently begun.
College football fans call the period from the end of the bowl season to the first Wednesday in February the "Second Season."
The five-week second season is the time when high school players across the country take official visits to colleges in hopes of finding a place to continue their football career.
A number of Columbia County players are gearing up for visits.
Evans running back Cheng Ho has set up an official visit with Davidson this weekend. The senior, who probably will play cornerback in college because of his size and speed, has the Wildcats on an ever-growing list of suitors. Ho has also drawn heavy interest from Division I-AA Furman, Liberty and Coastal Carolina. Among the Division I-A schools looking at Ho are Vanderbilt, Central Michigan and, as of last week, Oregon.
"I would love to go to Oregon," Ho said. "They have such a great program. It basically comes down to whether or not anyone de-commits from them. They told me they have already filled their needs at my position, but I am at the top of their list if someone decides not to go there."
Ho said he will send out about 30 more highlight tapes this week in hopes of generating more Division I interest.
"If I don't get any D-I offers, I will probably go to Georgia as a preferred walk on," Ho said. "The coaches said I could come in and walk on. If I do good, I would get a scholarship after my first year."
Evans quarterback Brad Freeman also is searching for a home after initially saying he wasn't going to pursue a college football scholarship.
Freeman said before the season that he would probably try to play baseball in college.
Evans' Cheng Ho plows through the Greenbrier line during a game in September. Ho has an official visit with Davidson this weekend and has drawn heavy interest from other schools.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
"Now I think I can play both," he said. "I'm realistic. I know my size isn't ideal for a D-I school so I'm looking I-AA and Division II."
Freeman is in the process of sending out more than 20 tapes and said he likes Furman.
Evans offensive lineman Nick Parr and Cliff Hancock have expressed interest in West Georgia, according to Knights coach Marty Jackson.
Like Ho, Greenbrier's Eugene Rogers will be on the road this upcoming weekend with a trip to Liberty and will head to Navy on Jan. 21. He has also received interest from Middle Tennessee State, Cincinnati, Georgia Southern, Presbyterian, Wofford and West Georgia.
"I don't really know much about [Liberty or Navy]," Rogers said. "That is why I'm taking visits there."
Greenbrier's Tanner Hayden has an official visit set up with Wingate this weekend. Middle Tennessee State, Georgia Southern, Tusculum, Belhaven and the Citadel have also shown interest.
Hayden's teammate at offensive line, Josh Adams, has gotten looks from Maryland, Middle Tennessee State, South Carolina, Tusculum and Georgia Southern.
Lakeside coach Randy Hill said Charleston Southern has interest in linebacker Reggie Porter.
Augusta Christian coach Bruce Lane says he expects William Lyon to sign somewhere after National Signing Day, Feb. 6.