Noxapater head coach Casey Orr was as proud as he could be last Wednesday morning while he watched three of his Tiger football players sign to play college football for Northeast Mississippi Community College before a packed house in the school’s library
“These three guys have meant so much to our program,” he said of Kyler Carter, Raheem Hathorn and Ryan Whitfield, all of which are expected to play on the defensive side of the ball for the NEMCC Tigers the next two years. “They have all started since the ninth grade and are for a lot of wins here at Noxapater and were just two points away from playing for a state championship this year.”
But Orr was quick to point out that the trio meant much more to the Tigers, him, and the community than the win-loss record they helped to achieve over the past four seasons.
“They are guys you enjoyed going to coach each day and you enjoyed being around,” Orr said. “You hate to see them walk out the door because they mean more to your program and than just wins and losses.”
Carter, who was listed at 6-foot-4, 255 this season, is expected to play on the defensive line for Northeast. He recorded 65 tackles, including 20 for a loss for Noxapater this season, while forcing three fumbles and recovering four.
Whitfield, who at 5-10 and 225, will likely work at defensive end or linebacker or in a hybrid position posted 85 tackles for Noxapater, with 34 of those being for a loss. He also had six sacks, four blocked kicks, and two forced fumbles.
Hathorn, who is currently 6-3, 185, but can easily put on enough weight to play at 220, is expected to be linebacker for NEMCC. He recorded 120 tackles last season, with 23 for a loss. He also had three sacks and five pass deflections.
Orr said the trio going to the same school wasn’t necessarily intentional, but should work to their advantage.
“The commitment level you have to have to play the game is a whole next level and them having each other to lean on will mean a lot,” he said.
