Four AHS seniors ink college scholarships

By Tim Emmons
temmons@casscountynow.com

National Signing Day is almost like a holiday for athletes, colleges and fans alike.
College programs and fans eagerly await to see if those verbal commits will follow through, and the athletes get to make a decision which will carry them through the next phase of their lives after high school.
On Feb. 1, four Atlanta athletes inked letters to continue their athletic careers at the next level.

Tristan Allen
Rabbit linebacker Tristan Allen signed to play with Louisiana Tech University.
Allen was a four-year starter for the Rabbs on defense. As a freshman he was named Newcomer of the Year and was selected as a Second Team Defensive End.
As a sophomore he won the Second Team Linebacker spot, as a junior he was named a First Team Outside Linebacker and as a senior he was honored as a First Team Outside Linebacker by unanimous choice.
He finished his career with 331 total tackles, 65 tackles for loss, 22 sacks, 50 hurries and 10 blocks.
Allen blocked punts, field goals and deflected passes which resulted in touchdowns for him at a few points in his career.
Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Matt McClure had this to say about the four-year starter.
“Tristan has been a mainstay for four years,” McClure said. “He played in every game plus 10 playoff games during that span so it seems like he was here longer.”
“He has good size for the next level and has always worked hard for us,” McClure remarked. “We could always count on him being there, being prepared and being focused,” McClure continued. “He has worked hard in the weight room and on the track and that is why our opponents had to have game plans to block him out because he was such a force to deal with.”

Desmond Robinson
Another Rabbit linebacker, Desmond Robinson, also inked a letter to play football for Stephen F. Austin State University.
Robinson began playing football for Atlanta as a wideout and was eventually moved to the defensive side of the ball because of his size and speed.
With Atlanta’s game plan to run the ball, Robinson’s defensive play began to catch the eyes of several Division 1 schools.
“Desmond came on late for us as far as growth, but it was exciting to watch him grow and get a feel for the defensive position he played,” McClure said. 
“We thought with him on one side and Tristan on another we could disrupt offensive plans of our opponents.”
The plan to have a “twin tower” effect worked as opposing quarterbacks had to worry about Robinson coming from one side and Allen from the other.
Robinson also received offers from Wyoming, University of Texas-El Paso and Sam Houston to name a few.
“His academic level has been great and with the schemes we ran here it will help him with the fact he played at the interior line position and put his hand on the ground,” McClure said. “At SFA he will play in a 3-3 stack with his hand on the ground, rushing the passer so he should be comfortable with that transition.”
Robinson finished his high school campaign with 181 tackles, 41 tackles for loss, eight sacks, 29 hurries, eight deflects and a pick-6. 
Those numbers are just one of the reasons he was named a First Team Outside Linebacker as a junior, and as a senior he was a unanimous choice for the First Team Defensive Line.

Kelton Young
Running back Kelton Young signed to play football with Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls.
As with most players Young played both ways for the Rabbs as he played in the running back and cornerback positions; primarily in his final year. 
“Midwestern State came in looking for a speed guy, and I think Kelton is a prime candidate for that role,” McClure stated. “He has great hands if they use him in the slot position and he has plenty of speed which is evident from his collection of medals (bronze, silver and gold) he received at the state track meet in the relays.”
As a junior he was named an All-District Utility player and as a senior he received First Team Defensive Back honors although he rushed for 437 yards in a loaded backfield on the offensive side of things this past season.

TeShuna Sheppard
TeShuna Sheppard can probably triple jump in her sleep and although that has never been confirmed the young leaper has made extraordinary strides since her freshman year with her eyes open.
Those strides will continue at the next level after Sheppard signed with the University of Central Arkansas. At UCA she will compete in the triple jump and run the 400m relay for the Lady Bears.
Although she competes in basketball and volleyball, her calling seems to be on the oval.
“When we saw her jump as a freshman we knew she was special and that she would continue to progress and get better as she grew older,” McClure said.
In her inaugural year she broke the old school record of 36’ 3 1/2 at regionals in Commerce with a leap of 36’ 7 3/4” and eventually jumped her way to state where she claimed a bronze medal.
She had a solid year as a sophomore but missed out on the state meet. 
In her junior year she placed first in the triple jump at 38 feet, 9 3/4 inches at area; placed first at regionals with a leap of 40 feet, 9 inches and won a silver medal at state with a mark of 38 feet, 2 1/4 inches.
With the 40 feet, 9 inch jump she shattered her own school record she set as a freshman and to date is her personal best.

As of this signing Atlanta has 39 signees and an untold number of walk-ons or enrollees in the past six years which is one of the best in the region.
Just this past season, LA Tech lost to Western Kentucky in the C-USA Championship, but defeated No. 25 Navy in the Armed Forced Bowl. The win was the Bulldogs third consecutive bowl game victory.
The Bulldogs’ gave up 146.6 yards rushing per game and 274 passing yards per game. Allen will be used to keep that number from getting bigger.
SFA finished 5-6 in the Southland Conference. The Lumberjacks gave up 38.4 points per game and 140.4 rushing yards per game.
Robinson will be used in the same capacity of keeping those numbers from growing.
Midwestern State finished 8-3 in the Lonestar Conference and has been near the top of the division the past several years.Young will be used to ensure continued success at the running back position. 
UCA competes in the Southland conference and as of last season the best jumper in that division jumped at 42 feet, 7 1/2 inch triple jump which is reachable for Sheppard.