EHS offensive linemen commit to Greensboro, Tusculum
Published 10:41 pm Thursday, February 4, 2021
StarPhoto/Larry N. Souders Elizabethton Cyclone Head Coach Shawn Witten speaks about the dedication and commitment to excellence exhibited by both Wes Erwin and Colby Garland prior to both signing National Letter’s of Intent to play football at the next level.
StarPhoto/Larry N. Souders Colby Garland, flanked by his parents Tim and Stephanie, shows off his freshly signed National Letter’s of Intent to play for Tusculum University Pioneers in the coming school year.
StarPhoto/Larry N. Souders Colby Garland, flanked by his parents Tim and Stephanie, shows off his freshly signed National Letter’s of Intent to play for Tusculum University Pioneers in the coming school year. Garland’s grandparents Gary and Sharon Edwards and Kim Garland are on the second row.
StarPhoto/Larry N. Souders Elizabethton’s Colby Garland (center front) is surrounded by members of his coaching staff after he signed National Letter’s of Intent to play for Tusculum University Pioneers in the coming school year. Head Coach Shawn Witten and Strength Coach Jeff Pierce are seated in the front row with Garland. Standing behind Garland, form the left, AD Forest Hood, Ryan Witten and Devin Whitehead.
StarPhoto/Larry N. Souders The Cyclones Wesley Erwin, with his parents Dennis “Taz” and Brandi Erwin looking on, signs his National Letter’s of Intent to play for the Greensboro Pride on National Signing Day at Elizabethton High School.
StarPhoto/Larry N. Souders The Cyclones Wesley Erwin, with his parents Dennis “Taz” and Brandi Erwin looking on, shows off his signed National Letter’s of Intent to play football for the Greensboro College Pride this fall.
StarPhoto/Larry N. Souders Surrounded by his family, Elizabethton Cyclone Wesley Erwin is all smiles after signing his National Letter’s of Intent to play football for the Greensboro Pride this fall. Seated with Erwin are his parents Dennis “Taz” and Brandi Erwin and standing (from the left) are Jared Erwin, Courtney Bowers, Norma Johnson and Darty Johnson.
StarPhoto/Larry N. Souders Elizabethton’s Wesley Erwin (center front) is surrounded by members of his coaching staff after he signed to play for Greensboro College Pride in the coming school year. Strength Coach Jeff Pierce and Head Coach Shawn Witten are seated in the front row with Erwin. Standing behind Erwin, form the left, are Devin Whitehead, Ryan Witten and AD Forest Hood.
StarPhoto/Larry N. Souders Members of the two time State Champion Elizabethton Cyclones football team surround teammates Colby Garland and Wesley Erwin, (front row center) after they have signed their National Letter’s of Intent to play football for the this fall for Tusculum University and Greensboro College respectively.
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BY NIC MILLER
STAR CORRESPONDENT
With one Cyclone senior football player already signing their name to play football at the collegiate level in terms of Cole Morganstern with the U.S. Air Force Academy on national college football signing day Wednesday, Elizabethton High School saw two more of the big men up front officially commit to playing at the next level.
February 3rd was a big day for colleges across the nation as hundreds of high-level high school athletes would sign their names to play at various Division One, Two, and Three schools throughout the country.
And the same could be said about two athletes from Elizabethton High School, Wesley Erwin and Colby Garland.
Erwin, who signed his national letter of intent to play at Greensboro College in Greensboro, North Carolina, and Garland who signed to play for the Pioneers at Tusculum University, are part of both the 2019 and 2020 Cyclone football teams that amassed a 30-game win streak and brought two state titles back home to Elizabethton.
Before the two put the pen on the paper, head football coach Shawn Witten spoke to all those in attendance.
“It all comes down to the effort that these guys put in. I couldn’t be more proud of these guys, they’ve worked unbelievably hard throughout their time here and that has made all the difference.”
While the two may have signed to play for two different schools, Erwin shared a story about how he came to be a member of the Greensboro Pride.
“The coaches were looking at Colby (Garland) and watching his game film when they saw me. So he helped me out by sending their coaching staff my contact info. So one thing led to another and now we’re here today.”
As for the experience of signing to play at the next level, Erwin said, “This is something that you dream about your whole life, and to be able to experience this moment with one of my best friends (Garland) makes it so much sweeter. I’m super blessed to have him, my family, my coaches, all of my friends, and the fans that came out to support us on a day like today.”
As for Garland, his signing day experience was something he couldn’t wait for.
“Today’s been a very exciting day. I’ve been looking forward to putting the pen on that paper ever since I knew where I wanted to play and verbally committed to Tusculum. It’s just a blessing to see how many people were here and how many people came out to support us in our decisions.”
When asked if his achievements through high school made his signing day experience any different, Garland had a simple answer.
“Being a state champion and accomplishing what we did was great, but I know I’m not done yet, and I want to continue to work hard and strive to be the best I can be at any level I play in.
Congratulations to both of these superb athletes – there’s no doubt that both of these young men will be a force to be reckoned with no matter what level of football they are playing in.
