Eight's great: Midland Valley celebrates collegiate signers

NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

Mar. 5—GRANITEVILLE — Clayton State University, about 15 miles south of Atlanta, is on track to receive a substantial boost from Mustang football in a few months, with five Midland Valley High School players having signed March 4 to play for the Lakers, in a gathering that also celebrated three more college-bound Mustang athletes.

Clayton State, a University System of Georgia school, is in Morrow, and has a football program still taking shape, en route to playing in NCAA Division II, with Mustang seniors Quentin Cofer, Christopher Denny, Jordan McKie, C.J. Richardson and JaNaree Williams to be on the roster.

All five were honored in a gathering Wednesday morning in the gymnasium, as were Mallorie Smith, who signed to play softball for Converse University, in Spartanburg; Jad Bennefield, for baseball, at Lander University, in Greenwood; and Aaron Adams Jr., for football, with Benedict College, in Columbia.

All six of the football players have specialized in defense: Cofer, Denny, McKie and Williams all as linemen; Richardson, as a back; and Adams, as an end.

Justin Medlock, Midland Valley's athletic director, confirmed that the Mustangs have had plenty of seniors making such decisions in recent weeks.

"We had some earlier in the year, but this definitely was a good number today. We have two or three more that I know of right now that will be signing here coming soon. They're making their final decisions and getting all that in order, but we should have a few more later this year, too," he said.

He described Clayton State, which was founded in 1969, as "a newer school" with a football program still in the formative stages, "so they're getting a couple of recruiting classes now." The Lakers are Peach Belt Athletic Conference members and, for football, also belong to New South Athletic Conference, because PBAC does not sponsor football.

Bennefield's background with the Mustangs has mainly been as a pitcher. He has also seen some time at second base and in the outfield. Smith's years on Mustang Drive have largely been as a pitcher, left fielder and third baseman.

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos