Smiles and football can be somewhat unnatural. That is unless they're seen in the backdrop of a victorious scoreboard.
Which may be why it took a little longer for four Newnan High football seniors to let their emotions -- or their relief -- show during National Signing Day.
But with letters of intent signed and on their way to be delivered by head coach Mike McDonald, the newest Cougars headed to the college level had plenty of reasons to smile.
Faulkner University assistant Brandon Slay welcomed the sight of two new defensive prospects Wednesday morning after watching in person as All-County players Nick Cameron and Aundre Morgan took turns signing scholarships.
Cameron finished his career with 61 tackles last season while adding two sacks and a pair of interceptions -- including one for a touchdown.
Morgan, who was joined by mother Mary Ball and sister Marissa Morgan for the signing, started on both sides of the line as one of Newnan's most versatile players in 2011, finishing as All-Region 2-AAAAA Second Team on offense and earning All-County honors defensively with 48 tackles, eight sacks, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries at defensive end.
The pair of two-way starters both visited the NAIA school in Montgomery last Saturday and pretty much had identical reactions.
"We went together and I liked everything about it," Cameron said, smiling of course, with Morgan looking on.
After signing respective scholarships, they were already talking about rooming together as freshmen.
"I played NAIA and it was one of the best decisions of my life," said Cougars head coach Mike McDonald to the pair afterwards.
Turning his attention toward Slay, McDonald added, "You're getting two real good ones. They're both capable of playing right away."
Slay answered, "(Cameron) is already asking about workout gear."
Senior punter/placekicker Patrick McAlpin became one of the first specialists to sign with Mercer University's new program after being recruited off the soccer field in high school.
"I feel like it's a good fit and the campus is really nice," said
Newnan's All-Region 2-AAAAA First Team punter averaged 40.3 yards a kick as a senior with 15 inside the 20-yard-line, five of which stopped inside the 10.
McAlpin recalled being a sophomore when he was approached by Cougar football coaches with the hopes of becoming a kicker and punter. He's worked with former North Carolina State punter and Fayetteville native John Deraney to improve his skills.
"He's been a big help," McAlpin said. "It was definitely different when I first got on the field."
McAlpin helped lead Newnan's soccer team to the Class AAAAA Elite 8 last year as an All-County goalkeeper.
Another big part of Newnan's special teams unit, senior long snapper Jimmie Reid, also signed a letter of intent with Catholic University, the second consecutive year a Cougar long-snapper has moved on to the college level.
Reid, the son of Dana and Jim Reid, became a starter this year, filling a hole left by Samford freshman Ron Wroble.
"They emailed me and it took a little while, but they kept emailing," said Reid, who expects to major in engineering at the Washington D.C. school, a member of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference in football. "I liked everything about it. I liked the people, liked the school."
McDonald expects several more of this year's seniors to make their decisions over the next couple of weeks.
* * *
To view photos from the scholarship signings, visit http://photos.times-herald.com/mycapture and navigate to Sports / Football for the photo gallery.
