Guyer center Drew Johnson and cornerback Chuks Orabuchi signed with Sam Houston State, and both will have a good chance of playing as true freshmen.

Johnson is going as a deep snapper, where he expects to start immediately, and Orabuchi said he believes he can earn a starting job as the cornerback positions are wide open for the Bearkats.

“It’s really good — two guys getting to go together,” Orabuchi said. “He’s [Johnson] a real good friend of mine and I think we’ll both push ourselves to get better when we get there too because that’s how Guyer people do.”

Argyle tight end Tyler Sweatt also will play for the Bearkats next season.

“Growing up playing Little League football, all I thought about was playing college football,” Sweatt said. “So this is a big day for me.”

Sweatt is not sure what his role will be with the Bearkats, but he thinks he might play fullback or stay at his tight end position.

“I am kind of small for a tight end, but I took down some bigger guys here,” he said.

“So that is when I knew I could play at this level.”

Falcons LB off to Texas State

Drew Hamilton was destined to play football at Texas State.

His uncle was an all-conference player for the Bobcats, and Hamilton chose them over serious interest from North Texas, though the Mean Green never extended an official offer.

“I got looked at a lot by UNT, it’s just that UNT is here and Texas State is there [San Marcos],” Hamilton said.

Lake Dallas head coach Mic-hael Young said Hamilton was the heart and soul of his team over the past couple of years.

“He’s one of those guys that gets everybody going,” Young said. “He’s been the heart and soul of the team through off-season and summer workouts — the hard times. He’ll be really missed.”

Eagles lineman inks with Texas A&M-Commerce

Argyle offensive lineman Bryndyn Hinnrichs signed a national letter of intent to play football for Texas A&M-Commerce next season.

“We visited over 30 colleges throughout the year,” he said, “and to finally know where I am going is really exciting.

His college of choice also had a lot to do with the classroom. He plans on entering the Honors College.

“Academics is a big deal for me also,” he said. “I want to go into business management.”

Another big reason for his decision is proximity to home.

“My parents like that,” he said. “And that is important.”

Angelo State nabs two area players

Guyer tight end Austin Otto and Lake Dallas safety Jarred Ross signed with Angelo State on Wednesday.

Otto, who will likely move to fullback, was predominantly a blocking tight end and fueled Guyer’s rushing attack with his blocking on the edges.

Ross finished 2009 with 55 tackles to go with three interceptions and a touchdown.

Joliff signs with Emporia

After playing all over the field for the Wildcats, Tyler Joliff found his calling as a starting defensive tackle during his senior year.

Joliff, who played offense before his senior season, racked up 55 tackles with four sacks and 20 quarterback hurries. He signed with Emporia State in Kansas, whose most famous alum was also a defensive tackle — former Dallas Cowboy Leon Lett.

Guyer’s Smith moves on to McPherson

Marquis Smith was also a diverse player for the Wildcats, which helped him earn a scholarship at McPherson, an NAIA school in Kansas.

As a sophomore and junior, Smith played cornerback, but he was forced into duty at quarterback when J.W. Walsh was injured in 2008, going 4-2 as a starter including a program-defining win over Stephenville.

He moved to safety in 2009 and had three interceptions, returning one for a touchdown. He also had 65 tackles and seven pass break-ups.

Gomez staying at home with TWU

Guyer’s Serina Gomez will stay at home and play soccer for the Pioneers after her successful career comes to an end at Guyer this spring.

Gomez has moved all over the field and has settled into a role as a do-it-all for the Lady Wildcats, playing at stopper, center midfield and striker. She said she will likely play forward at TWU.

“She’s meant so much because we’ve used her everywhere on the field,” Guyer head coach Marc Cox said. “She’s really having her best year right now. She’s been maybe our MVP of the season so far.”

Benfield joins Rambelles

Ryan soccer player Jordan Benfield signed a national letter of intent to play soccer for Angelo State on Wednesday.

The shutdown defender said it is a dream of hers to play college soccer.

“It was very exciting,” she said. “I feel kind of special. I always planned on playing college soccer. This is kind of a dream come true.”

Benfield was a first-team all district selection in 5-4A last season.

Stone battles toearn spot at LCU

Guyer’s Samantha Stone has had a long road to earning a scholarship with Lubbock Christian.

Stone has torn the anterior cruciate ligament in both of her knees, the most recent coming just four months ago. But she had surgery, and returned to action on Monday in Guyer’s 1-1 tie against Highland Park.

“She’s so persistent to get that scholarship because she had to get on the field,” Cox said. “I’ve never seen anyone recover that quickly.”

Nwiba earns her chance at Navarro

Guyer’s Sarah Nwiba was a firecracker for the Lady Wild-cats’ volleyball program.

Using her freakish athletic ability and outrageous vertical leap, Nwiba turned into one of the best hitters in the area, and on Wednesday she signed a letter of intent to play at Navarro Junior College.

She finished her senior season with 317 kills and 55 blocks after suffering numerous knee injuries throughout her high school career.

Vochoska off to Odessa

Lindsay Vochoska signed to play softball at Odessa College to become the first Guyer softball player to sign a national letter of intent.

Vochoska, a three-year starter at first base, earned first-team all-district honors last season after ramping up her hitting. She has a career batting average of .383 with 10 home runs.

Pair of baseball players sign

Guyer catcher Kevin Alexander signed to play baseball at Weatherford College as a catcher, and Lake Dallas pitcher Jonny Drozd signed with Cisco Junior College.