College Football Signing Ceremony Celebrates Three Players

At a celebration filled with expressions of gratitude, abundant good wishes, and a few tears of happiness, seniors De’Sean Johnson, Darien Townsend, and Marcus Whipper signed letters of intent to play football at the college level next year. “God has done a great job of building you up,” Coach Ben Ortiz told the three young men at the ceremony, which was held in the Carter Athletic Center gym on March 22. Coach Ortiz said he considers them his “family” and spoke of the “grind” of hard work accomplished at St. Michael’s that will continue at the next level, praising their efforts and reminding them of the fruits of hard work. “These are three fantastic athletes, three fantastic students, and even better three fantastic people,” Coach Ortiz said, urging them to make an impact and to “stay in the grind, because the grind never stops.” 
At the ceremony, the community joyously applauded De’Sean, Darien, and Marcus, who were surrounded by family members, coaches, teammates, friends, teachers, staff members, and parents, including Tracy and Jarrett Anderson, who have generously offered their support to the football program and players in numerous ways. De’Sean, a running back who will play for Wayland Baptist University, said, “My journey at St. Michael’s has been amazing.” He recounted that after leaving for a year and returning to St. Michael’s, “The community opened back up to me like I never left.” Marcus, a defensive back who will play for Dordt College, thanked St. Michael’s for his four years, Coach Ortiz, and Tracey and Jarrett Anderson. Darien, a defensive end who will play for Marist College, thanked Coach Ortiz, his teammates, the senior girls, and the team moms. “I would like especially to thank God. If it weren’t for my faith in him, I would never be here.” 
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