College signing day party to be held for 11th year

College football's National Signing Day is set for Feb. 3. For the 11th consecutive year, I will be holding a signing day party for all of the area's signees.

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This year's event will be held from 5-8 p.m. at Indigo Joe's on Wheeler Road. The show will air on WRDW 1630-AM for all three hours, with the final two hours also being simulcast on WGAC 580-AM. Each player will be interviewed live and talk about their college choice.

The past couple of years have been huge for Columbia County in terms of scholarship players.

Evans has had 10 players sign scholarships from the past two seasons alone. This year might not be as big as those two seasons, but several Columbia County players will sign.

The headliner in Columbia County is Lakeside defensive back Khadi Tshishiku. The talented safety will become the second Columbia County product to play football at Harvard, joining former Evans standout Cheng Ho. Tshishiku was a key reason Lakeside had one of the premier defenses in the entire state.

Another key defensive player for Lakeside was linebacker and defensive lineman Chris Hartfield. He has not made a final decision on where he will play his college ball, but Hartfield definitely will be signing somewhere. Valdosta State appears to be the frontrunner for his services, but he also has offers from Carson-Newman and Tusculum.

Running back Ricky McMurtrey has parlayed his big senior season into a scholarship as well. He will sign with Division II East Central Oklahoma.

Lakeside might have a couple other signees come Feb. 3. Offensive lineman Josh Dickerson likely will sign, and a few others might have to wait until after signing day.

It looks like 2011 and 2012 could be big for Lakeside, too. Junior linebacker Kendal Parker and sophomore quarterback Mark Weidenaar have garnered plenty of recent college attention. Several Division I schools are showing interest. South Carolina and North Carolina State have been recent suitors for the duo.

Remember to join me at Indigo Joe's for the signing day party.