Twelve football players’ hard work and dedication to improving everyday paid off as they signed to play collegiate ball on April 15th. The following football players joined Paris Melvin Jr. as representatives of the Panther Way and will carry the mentality of CHOP into their future endeavors.
Tristian Sayles will be showcasing his talents at Wayland Baptist University in Plainview, Texas. Some of his accomplishments that stand out to him are making varsity, becoming better over time and scoring touchdowns throughout his time as a Panther. His favorite football memory was being apart of coming back 28 points in the 4th quarter against Bridgeland which the team had never beaten before in football.
“ In college, I am most looking forward to making new brothers and helping build not only a brotherly culture but a winning culture,” Sayles said, “Also being able to use the lessons I learn there in my everyday life and hopefully making a career in sports.”
In 10 years, he wants to be a head coach of a great winning football team that he has helped, with a great coaching staff and winning a lot of games.
Aden Gordon will join him at Wayland Baptist University. Gordon’s favorite football memory was when he stepped on the Varsity field in playoffs for the first time. He is grateful for opportunity to play in college and in 10 years wants to be playing in the NFL.
Kaleb Gasery and Jashawn Johnson will remain teammates both playing for Bethel College in North Newton, Kansas.
Gasery’s favorite accomplishments were making 2nd Team All-District and being a starter Senior year. A memory that will always stick out to him is winning his 1st game of freshmen year.
“I am looking forward to playing at college level. Just the experience, meeting my new teammates and working out,” he said.
In 10 years, he plans to have his own business and still be playing football.
Meanwhile Johnson’s favorite football memory was when he was younger and scoring the game winning touchdown to send his team to the playoffs. In college he is looking forward to “just competing and proving people who doubted me wrong.”
In 10 years, he wants to be making money and teaching his kids right from wrong.
Kaden Goodwin will be playing for Nelson in Waxahachie, Texas.
“I am looking forward to playing at a new level with new intensity and a new feel to the game,” he said.
His favorite football memory was his sophomore year playing Ranch. He remembers there were a ton of fans, so much color and the team won.
In 10 years, he hopes to be a welder, start a family and living somewhere in Minnesota.
Jonathan Ijoma will be playing at Minot State University in Minot, North Dakota.
As a Panther, Ijoma won back-to-back 1st team All-District Unanimous. His favorite memory was his first game of sophomore year playing Varsity.
“In ten years, I plan on playing in the pros, making a lot of money and giving back to the community,” Ijoma said.
K’Hrin Hollerman will be playing at Blinn College.
“I am excited about college. Finding a place to help me become a better man outside of football and being able to invest in myself through college,”
he said.
Hollerman’s favorite football memory was making school history by beating Bridgeland for 1st time this season. The Panthers were down by 30 points, when he got an interception to start the turn around which led to victory. In ten years, he wants to be playing in the league.
Brandon Walton will be playing at Louisiana Christian University. He is excited about going to college and still being able to play football.
“My favorite football memory was spending time with my receiving group after school and putting in the work,” he said.
In the future, he plans to be in the NFL and wear the color jacket.
Luke Reyes will be playing for Schreiner University in Kerrville, Texas and he is really looking forward to playing at the next level.
His favorite memories are beating Bridgeland and getting the fake kickoff against George Bush.
“In ten years, I want to own a business, be playing in NFL and be financially free,” he said.
Jaylen Walton will be attending the University of Mary Hardin Baylor in Belton, Texas.
“Being able to play in college is amazing,” Walton said.” In college, I look forward to growing as a person, meeting new people and making plays.”
Beating Bridgeland in a comeback win is his favorite football memory because “we really fought for the W.” In ten years, he wants to be married and have a family.
Jasiah Donofrio-Harris will be playing at Texas A&M Kingsville.
“I am looking forward to the college atmosphere and environment, the lifestyle and the opportunities,” he said.
His accomplishments include being a two year Varsity starter and being named Honorable Mention All-District wide receiver.
His favorite football memories are beating Bridgeland and scoring his first Varsity touchdown.
In ten years, he wants to be successful. Living a full life where ever he is and whatever he is doing.
Bryan Brooks will be playing for Tyler Junior College. In college he wants to make an immediate impact. His favorite football memory is starting on Varsity as a sophomore and going to the playoffs.
“In ten years, I see myself playing in NFL, living my dream and spreading God’s word,” he said.
Josiah Davis was named Team Offensive MVP this season as well as earned First-Team
All-District Offensive Line. Davis will play college football at the University of Arkansas at Monticello.
Kris Ross shined on defense earing 1st Team All-District Defensive Line. His performance also earned him the Team Award for Top DL.
Ross will play for Texas Wesleyan University.
Track
The Panther track program has seen a lot of success over the history of school. That success has equaled several athletes joining the collegiate ranks.
This year Ian Onyango is that track athlete. He will attend Midland University.
“I am looking forward to running in college, competing and traveling to different places,” he said.
He said his biggest accomplishment was making Area. Onyango had good performances at District with a fifth-place finish in the triple jump to advance. He also placed 8th in 110 M Hurdles.
His favorite memory was after a meet when the boys team got back before the girls team and when they arrived, the boys hit them with water guns.
He will be studying accounting in college. In ten years, he can see himself flying planes and being famous for content creation. He wants to make an impact in the field.
Wrestling
When one thinks of Springs and Wrestling a very successful program are the words that come to mind. Our results at District, Regionals and State levels speak for themselves. Every year we have multiple champs in various weight classes and have athletes sign.
These year’s signees are David To and Kennedy Alexander.
To will attend Norwich in Northfield, Virginia.
“I’m most looking forward to the opportunity to grow in a new environment with new teammates and coaches. I’m excited to see what kind of training methods and plans my coaches have for me, and how they can help develop me as a wrestler,” he said.
He is also looking forward to the new facilities and being surrounded by other motivated athletes who push each other to get better every day.
One of his biggest highlights from wrestling at Springs was qualifying for Regionals for the first time.
“That moment felt like all the early mornings, tough practices, and close matches finally paid off,” he said.
He also recalls a few matches where he was able to come back from being down or on the verge of losing and still pull out a win.
“Those moments stood out to me because they showed my growth mentally and physically,” To said.
His favorite wrestling memory of all though is when “I completely hurdled over an opponent’s shot attempt to take me down. It wasn’t something I planned, it was more of a quick reflex in the moment, but it ended up being one of the most surreal moments of my wrestling career,” he said.
” Everything just happened fast, and when I realized what I did, it stuck with me because it was just a wild moment.”
In 10 years, To sees himself either still serving in the military or, if he takes a different path, being fully in the civilian world building his own successful business.
“I’ve always had an interest in entrepreneurship, so I could see myself running something I created from the ground up. Either way, I want to be in a position where I’ve built discipline from wrestling and used it to succeed in whatever career I choose,” he said.
Alexander will wrestle for North Iowa Area Community College next year. Alexander has left her mark as a Panther junior year she won the District Championship for her weight class to advance to Regionals. At Regionals she won 1st place to qualify for State. She looks to continue her wrestling success in college.
Trainer
Senior Trinity Barnes has been a committed athletic trainer throughout high school and will continue to pursue the field at Blinn College.
