The Locker Room February 4, 2009

A small but happy crowd of onlookers gathered at the Cougar fieldhouse on Wednesday, including Pulaski County School Board Member Dr. Rodell Cruise and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Donald Stowers, as Josh Miller, Logan Haynes, and Nubian Peak all signed their National Letters of Intent to play college football.  All three of these players are receiving full ride scholarships for football.

“I’m really excited and proud of these guys,” said Head Coach Jack Turner.  “Not only am I excited at the fact that they get to continue their football careers, but they are all going to get a quality education out of it.  These are three very hard working young men, and I know they will represent the Cougars and Pulaski County well.”

Logan Haynes, who spent two years as the Cougar punter, will be moving on to continue his football and education at Elizabeth City State University in North Carolina .  The Vikings will be getting a solid punter, as Haynes finished the 2008 season with 27 punts for 962 yards for a 35.63 yard per punt average.  “I’m really excited to be going to Elizabeth City State ,” said Hanes.  “They are a solid football school, they have a great attitude and a great campus.  I hope I can go there and be a contributor to the program.”  The Vikings, who are coached by Head Coach Waverly Tillar, finished with a 7-4 record last season and made an appearance in the CIAA playoffs.

Josh Miller, who was a three-year varsity player for Pulaski County , will be playing next season for the Concord University Mountain Lions under Head Coach Mike Kelly.  Miller finished 2008 as an All-District and All-Region first team selection and an AP All State Team second team selection.  For the Cougars he ended the season with 53 tackles, 19 pancake blocks, 9 tackles for a loss, and 2 fumble recoveries.  “I’m hoping to get to Concord and help make a difference in the program,” said Miller.  “Last season they were disappointed with their season, and they are looking to shake things up and make some changes.  I’ll have a chance to compete for a spot, and I hope to make the most of that chance.”

Running back Nubian Peak officially signed his paperwork today to be the latest Cougar to move on to the Division 1A ranks, as he officially became a member of the Hokie Nation.  “I feel great.  I’m looking forward to getting a great education and setting myself up for the future,” said an obviously happy Peak. “On the football side of things, I’m hoping to compete for playing time, but that won’t happen until my coaches tell me I’m ready.  I’m going to work hard, and I’m going to do my best.  Hopefully, I can contribute to Virginia Tech in a way that will allow them to continue being successful, and we want to keep working towards winning that National Championship.”  Peak finished the 2008 season with 1,536 yards and 22 touchdowns.  Peak also recorded 211 receiving yards, and 2 interceptions.

“I couldn’t be more proud of these young men,” said Turner.  “They have helped put the Cougar football program back on the map.  Their work ethics, the determination, and their desire to win have put them in a position to really benefit from it in the future.  I wish all of them the best of luck, and expect to hear good things from their new coaches.  These programs are getting three solid football players.”

There are several other players who are still undecided as to their future college football plans at this time.  At last check, three graduating Cougars, Brandon Hazzard, Langston Lewis, and E.J. Dobbins, are considering going to prep school for a year to improve their chances of landing at a bigger school.  Fans may remember former Cougar Brandon Anderson did this, and is now a staring defensive back at Akron University .  Several other standouts, such as Zane Quesenberry, Ralph Miller, and C.J. Burleson, are still weighing their options and choices, but are expected to make their decisions in the near future.

Click here for more signing day photos by David Gravely

Back to the top