Sports
Trio of Tigers sign football scholarships
Monday, 20 February 2012 by Chuck Kelly
Tra Rose, Donovan Williams and Michael Gall signed to play with colleges last Wednesday. The three players led the Tigers to another playoff appearance last year. Photo by David TumaThree Big Red All-District football players made it official as they signed their letters of intent to attend college the same way they've played football --- all together. Michael Gall, Tramaine Rose and Donavan Williams made their decisions official last Wednesday before a huge crowd in Tiger Gym.
Gall (son of Patricia and Vincent Gall), Tramaine Rose (son of Esther and Tony Rose) and Donavan Williams (son of Aretha Cunningham) committed to play football next season at different schools. Gall heads to Cisco Junior College, Rose will go to Trinity Valley and Williams will play at Blinn Junior College.
The three have been teammates for several years at Belton High School but are finally splitting up and heading to different teams --- the irony is that they are rival colleges. Yes, all three schools are in the same conference, so inevitably, they will end up playing against each other.
"We're losing three very good players but the good thing is, they are all going to get a chance to further their career. It's an opportunity for them and there are no better-deserving guys," commented BISD athletic director and head football coach Rodney Southern. "The crazy thing is, they will all eventually have to play against each other because all three schools are in the same league. It will be a chance for Tra to hit Donavan and it'll be a fun thing for them. Adrian Henderson and Darrius White (former Tigers) are at Trinity Valley now and they'll get a shot at Donavan, too. With the success these guys had here...Tra started for three years, Michael started for two after playing as a sophomore, and Donavan was really big for us this year...in two years, they will have an opportunity to be recruited again, maybe by a Division One college. Yeah, we will have to replace some big shoes but, hopefully, this will be a continuing thing for us year in and year out."
The "trash-talking" has already started. A smiling Williams said "Everybody knows that Blinn will come in with a win in both games."
"I liked Blinn best. I like the offense, it's what I'm used to here," commented Williams. "I like the campus and when I went up there, I liked the players and we connected, so I think I made the right choice. Of course, I'll miss this football team (BHS) and the people and city I'm used to."
Rose said that having former Tiger teammates already at Trinity Valley played into his decision. "When I visited there, I felt like everybody was real friendly to me. The coaches are all nice and I like the way they do things there. I have a real chance to start my first year."
Gall has been hoping for a chance like this."I grew up in Belton so I'm going to miss my family, friends and coach Southern but I just felt like it was the right fit for me," he said." Peter Medlock, who's been a mentor to me, is just ten minutes away in Breckenridge and the offensive line coach there (at Cisco) was a smaller offensive lineman who played for University of North Texas. I don't know anyone up there yet."
Coach David Brewer, the Tigers' offensive coordinator, said the search is on --- replacing Gall, Rose and Williams won't be easy.
"Well, I hate to see any of them go. All three of them have been part of the program for four years now," he stated. "Michael has been a three-year starter at center and was our deep snapper, too. He was able to get downfield after the snap, too...that's big. Donavan, obviously, was a big part of what we did offensively this year. (1,336 yards rushing with 14 touchdowns) It was the first time in five years that we could consistently run the football. People had to respect that. That's going to be a big spot we have to fill. And, of course, Tra has been a warrior (57 tackles) back there in the secondary. These three guys were leaders and are going to be missed."
It's all decided now --- Saturday football fans, get ready for three more Tigers who will make a difference on a football field near you. Remember these names, Michael Gall, Tramaine Rose and Donavan Williams.
