NewsAthleticsAcademicsCollege GuidanceFootball
Tigers sign on to play
Mar 28, 2007 12:00 AM
By Tannika King - Faculty
From Rome News-Tribune, published 3/28/2007
The Darlington Tigers have had a tradition of solid, fundamental football teams, made up of smart and talented players, and this year was no exception.
Two of the Tigers' senior leaders signed on Tuesday to play at the college level, gettinga chance to extend their careers. Offensive lineman Luke Kelley signed to play with the Shorter Hawks next year, while defensive back Matt Doerner chose to sign with Brevard College in North Carolina.
Darlington coach Tommy Atha was quick to praise both players and point out the strengths that will help them succeed in college. "As a coach, it's very rewarding when you know kids are excited about playing at the next level," he said. "It's rewarding to see them work hard and get the chance to play in college."
Kelley was a standout on both the offensive and defensive lines for the Tigers, but he was particularly strong as an offensive guard. He helped pave the way for Darlington's always-effective rushing attack the last several years.
"He really anchored the offensive line for us, not just physically but emotionally as well," said Atha. "He set the tone for us with his work ethic and physical play."
Atha said Kelley's mobility made him an outstanding lineman. "He's always had good feet and been able to run well," he said. "We ask our guards to run a lot in our system, and he did well at it. I'm a firm believer that your offense is only as good as your offensive line, and we knew Luke would be a good one for us."
Doerner played free safety for the Tigers and proved to Atha and his staff that he could handle the pressure of the position.
"I think defensively, the place you can get beat the quickest is in the secondary," said Atha. "He was able to make a lot of adjustments for us in the secondary, and he led our team in interceptions this year."
Doerner, who was also the Tigers' second-leading tackler as a senior, used both his head and his body effectively for Darlington. "Matt has always been a student of the game, and he spends a lot of time studying it," said Atha. "He's always been one to come up and make plays, and a lot of that is intelligence, but it's just as much physical effort, too."
Both Kelley and Doerner will get to face each other in their first college games next fall. Shorter opens the season at Brevard on Sept. 1.
The Darlington Tigers have had a tradition of solid, fundamental football teams, made up of smart and talented players, and this year was no exception.
Two of the Tigers' senior leaders signed on Tuesday to play at the college level, gettinga chance to extend their careers. Offensive lineman Luke Kelley signed to play with the Shorter Hawks next year, while defensive back Matt Doerner chose to sign with Brevard College in North Carolina.
Darlington coach Tommy Atha was quick to praise both players and point out the strengths that will help them succeed in college. "As a coach, it's very rewarding when you know kids are excited about playing at the next level," he said. "It's rewarding to see them work hard and get the chance to play in college."
Kelley was a standout on both the offensive and defensive lines for the Tigers, but he was particularly strong as an offensive guard. He helped pave the way for Darlington's always-effective rushing attack the last several years.
"He really anchored the offensive line for us, not just physically but emotionally as well," said Atha. "He set the tone for us with his work ethic and physical play."
Atha said Kelley's mobility made him an outstanding lineman. "He's always had good feet and been able to run well," he said. "We ask our guards to run a lot in our system, and he did well at it. I'm a firm believer that your offense is only as good as your offensive line, and we knew Luke would be a good one for us."
Doerner played free safety for the Tigers and proved to Atha and his staff that he could handle the pressure of the position.
"I think defensively, the place you can get beat the quickest is in the secondary," said Atha. "He was able to make a lot of adjustments for us in the secondary, and he led our team in interceptions this year."
Doerner, who was also the Tigers' second-leading tackler as a senior, used both his head and his body effectively for Darlington. "Matt has always been a student of the game, and he spends a lot of time studying it," said Atha. "He's always been one to come up and make plays, and a lot of that is intelligence, but it's just as much physical effort, too."
Both Kelley and Doerner will get to face each other in their first college games next fall. Shorter opens the season at Brevard on Sept. 1.
