Tigers moving on to college ranks

National Signing Day, Feb. 3, was the first day that senior athletes could sign Letters of Intent to play ball at the college level. Daingerfield High School had seven football players sign, with more coming later.

In the Board Room at the Daingerfield-Lone Star ISD Administration building filled with coaches, family members, and media, seven members of the 2015 District Runner-Up Tiger football team gathered to make their college intentions known. Four more Tiger teammates are slated to sign letters of intent on Tuesday, Feb. 9, giving the Tigers a total of 11 members of the Class of 2016 to go on to play college level football.

First at the table was wide receiver KeKe Chism. Chism will be attending Angelo State University in the fall, were he will play as a wide receiver for the Rams. During his career with Daingerfield, Chism was one of the team’s top wide receiver. During the previous season, Chism stepped in for the Tigers at quarterback, following an injury to starter Deonte’ Allen. Chism also played defensive back for the Tigers, when he was not under center at quarterback.

Denzel Mims, who also played wide receiver and defensive back for the Tigers, signed on to play for the Baylor Bears in the fall. Mims has not, however decided what position he will play at Baylor. Mims’ uncle, Chris Jones, said “Denzel and I talked about that. I told him to go in undeclared, because of the number of players who are playing in positions other than their primary position.” Mims’ aunt, Sheran James, was ecstatic about her nephew’s opportunities. “A blessing. This is definitely a blessing,” said James, reminding Mims “how blessed you are to have all these people here who care about you.”

Texas College, in Tyler, will be welcoming five Tigers to their ranks in the fall. The Steers play at the NAIA level, and their home games will be at Tyler Rose Stadium, for those wishing to continue watching the Daingerfield natives play. Running back/rover Tydarius Brannon will join running back/linebacker Justin Taylor, and offensive lineman/linebacker Recus Hayes on the Steers’ sideline. Also joining them will be De’Andre Daniel and Kadayous Betts, who both played wide reciever and defensive back for the Tigers’ 2015 season.

The signees on Feb. 3 were joined by Tiger coaches Michael Mason and Curtis Lewis, as well as high school Principals Ryan Carroll and Matt Dunn, Superintendent Sandra Quarles, and members of the Daingerfield Lone-Star ISD School Board for the momentous occasion.