Sharron Haley/Clarendon Citizen - East Clarendon’s Austin Floyd signed a letter of intent on Feb. 17, to play football with Mars Hill College as his brother Jerry, parents Dawn and Woody, Head Coach Dwayne Howell and brother Thomas watched.
ECHS’s Austin Floyd signs with Mars Hill
Mars Hill College is not only getting a good athlete but a good student, according to East Clarendon Head Football Coach Dwayne Howell.
East Clarendon’s Austin Floyd signed a letter of intent on Feb. 17, to play football with the Mountain Lions.
“I’m excited,” Floyd said prior to signing his letter of intent. “I play baseball too, but I love football best.”
Floyd said he hopes to be the Mountain Lions’ long snapper.
“I visited the school in January,” Floyd said Friday. “I liked the atmosphere and I love being in the mountains. I felt secure there. I liked the coaching staff. I don’t expect to see a lot of change.”
While he hopes to get some playing time this fall, Floyd said he’d wait his turn.
“I’m willing to help any way I can,” he said.
Howell said Floyd would match up well with Mars Hill’s game.
“He’s a good, smart young man,” Howell said. “He’s a pleasure to work with. He’s a good match with Mars Hill. They have a good staff there. I’ve met them. They are good people. We have someone on our staff who coached there. They are a lot like us. It’s a good football program.”
Howell said Mars Hill’s philosophy is education first and athletics second.
Floyd said he has plans to become a high school history teacher and a coach.
“(Being a teacher) is something that I’ve always wanted to do,” he said. “I was a teacher cadet and that helped me make up my mind.”
“That’s what that program is all about,” Howell added.
