Group of 10 Chargers pick college football homes

LEAGUE CITY — Moments after Clear Springs coach Clint Hartman gave the go-ahead for his athletes to sign their letters of intent Wednesday, senior Ladarius Carpenter looked around and blurted out a commonly heard question in the classroom.

“What’s today’s date?” Carpenter asked.

Several of his surrounding teammates laughed at him, but he shrugged it off.

Along with three other Clear Springs Charger teammates, Carpenter signed a letter of intent to play for Cisco College in Abilene. Quarterback Jake Blackledge, receiver Chaz Edgerson and defensive back Eddie Terry also signed on to play for the Wranglers next season.

“Cisco did a good job of grabbing up some of our top guys,” Hartman said. “They didn’t bow down to any other junior college, and they went after the best players.”

Receiver Marcus Johnson and members of his family were decked out in burnt orange to celebrate his signing with the University of Texas. Johnson previously had committed to Texas Tech and Texas A&M, so finally signing and making it official was a major relief for the highly coveted recruit.

Defensive lineman Dallas McClarty and safety Damani Alexcee will play at Texas State in San Marcos. Defensive back Jesse Washington (Air Force), defensive lineman Brendon Brinkmann (UTSA) and offensive lineman Andrew Doster (Trinity Valley) rounded out the football class.

In the other sports, four seniors on the girls soccer team signed with colleges. Madison Raines (Louisiana Tech), Shelby McDaniel (Sam Houston), Jordan Oliver (Tennessee Tech) and Maryan McElligott (Central Oklahoma) signed letters, but Raines and Oliver are both sidelined and rehabilitating after knee surgery.