LAYTON STARKS signed with Ball State University. Pictured with him from left are his brother Amari Faulkner, his dad Larry Starks, his mom Annjoiya Faulkner and sister Alahri Starks. (Photo by Bill Caine)
RAM ALBA FLORES committed to Kentucky State University. He is pictured with his father Aurelio Alba, his mom Mary Flores and sister Kimberly Flores. (Photo by Bill Caine)
XAVIER HILL signed with Hardeeville Prep in South Carolina. His pictured with his brother Cody Hill and his mother Debra Hill. (Photo by Bill Caine)
Three Woodford County High School football players signed with collegiate football programs and secured a pathway to higher education at a ceremony in the WCHS cafeteria on Wednesday, Feb. 7.
District Athletic Director and football Coach Dennis Johnson spoke before the signing and told the other football players in the room to use the three signees as an example of hard work paying off.
“We have three young men signing on the dotted line today,” said Johnson. “These guys work hard and have put in many hours that most people don’t see that prepared them for this moment. It’s a great day for our football program and our school.”
Layton Starks signed with Ball State University. Starks, a multi-sport athlete at WCHS, was a key contributor for the football Jackets over the last couple of seasons. A relentless pass rusher, Starks was a great combination of strength and speed that should translate well at the next level. He said the coaches recruited him hard all season and ensured he felt wanted at Ball State.
“The coaches showed me a lot of love throughout this process and made me feel that Ball State could be home for me,” said Starks. Throughout his high school career, Starks said he learned many lessons, but one stood out above them all.
“I learned that you can’t get down on yourself and have to push through the tough times,” said Starks. “Getting down on yourself won’t help you at all. It will take you off your game, and I can’t have that at the next level.”
Starks plans to study computer science.
Ram Alba Flores committed to Kentucky State University and said that the school made him feel at home during the recruitment process and when he visited campus. “The coaches have been great, and the coaches started recruiting me before the season started,” said Alba Flores. He said he grew the most as a player during his sophomore and junior years. “I know you have to be versatile as a lineman and be ready to play any of those positions. That is what the coaches at K-State have told me as well, and that is the mindset I have begun to have. I will be ready if they need me anywhere.”
Alba Flores said he wants to study business or criminal justice.
Xavier Hill signed with Hardeeville Prep in South Carolina. The offensive lineman has been a leader for WCHS football and said he can’t wait to get on campus and experience college. He also mentioned the need for football in his life and cited the structure of being a football player as one of the reasons he has been successful in school.
“The practices leading up to games were tough, but we made some great memories,” said Hill. “We also did some great team bonding. The football team knows how to have fun. I grew confident from these things, and learned my role on the team, which helped me become a better football player.” Hill says he wants to study engineering.