Rome Reporter

Seven student-athletes from Rome High School have committed to furthering their academic and athletic careers at the collegiate level. The signing ceremony took place at the school's Performing Arts Center, with Chris Boden, Rome High School’s Athletic Director, opening the event.

“This is an awesome occasion. Our motto at Rome High is to graduate our students prepared for college and work,” Boden stated. “These student-athletes obviously did it in the classroom. That's a credit to their teachers and their parents and themselves. But it’s also a credit to the coaches and how they pushed them, made them work, and made them better to be able to achieve that.”

The athletes include five football players, one soccer player, and one softball player who signed scholarships in front of family and coaches. Among them was Chance Arthur, who will play football for Princeton after being selected as a first-team Region 5-5A tailback and receiving recognition as a Georgia Athletic Coaches Association (GACA) Class 5A All-State Selection.

“Chance was a great tailback who had close to 2,000 yards and more than 20 touchdowns for us," said Rome High Football Coach John Reid. "We know he is going to do great things at Princeton.”

Jamiel Williams will join Kennesaw State's football team as an offensive lineman after earning first-team Region 5-5A honors. Jamar Chatman signed with Murray State as a defensive lineman following his honorable mention in Region 5-5A.

“Jamiel started at right tackle for us the past three years, and Jamar was a standout defensive lineman for us," Reid commented. "I know that Kennesaw State and Murray State are getting great players.”

Javarius McDearmont and Tinerious Stallings committed to playing football at the University of Cumberlands in Kentucky. Stallings earned first-team Region 5-5A honors as a receiver while McDearmont received honorable mention for his performance as an inside linebacker.

“You know Tinerious as someone who can score on punt returns and kickoff returns," Reid noted. "Cumberlands is going to enjoy having both of these guys on the team.”

Emily Cooper will play soccer for Catawba College in North Carolina after earning second-team Region 6-6A honors last year.

“Emily’s been a team captain all four years," said Rome High Girls Soccer Coach Jessica Hewitt. "She has been our leading scorer."

Jakayla Strickland signed with Morton College in Illinois for softball after leading her region in stolen bases.

"She led our region in stolen bases," stated Rome High Softball Coach Trevor Proctor. “I cannot wait to see what all she is going to accomplish in college.”

Rome High School previously had four student-athletes sign during early signing day last fall, with expectations of more commitments this spring according to Boden.