Long after the football season ended, the Evergreen Plainsmen got to celebrate a huge victory.
Four Evergreen football players signed letters of intent to Division I college programs Wednesday, including one who received an offer at noon.
Billy Nelson, a defensive back, took that deal with Weber State, preferring to play Division I football rather than DII. He was planning on signing with Western Oregon before Weber State came calling.
While it was not as dramatic as Nelson’s day, it was still a special day for Justice Murphy, Kobey Eaton, and Jerrin Williams.
Murphy, a wide receiver, signed with the University of Wyoming. Eaton and Williams, both defensive backs, are going to Montana.
Earlier in the day at Camas, wide receiver James Price also signed with Wyoming, giving the Cowboys two wide receivers from the Class 4A Greater St. Helens League.
Wednesday also was the first day that soccer players could sign letters of intent. Among those who signed with Division I programs:
Victoria Lindstrom of Battle Ground signed with Eastern Washington University.
Peter Prescott of Mountain View was expected to sign with Creighton University.
Evergreen’s four signees were honored at a ceremony in the school gym, with a number of family members, friends, and classmates filling the bleachers.
Murphy’s trek to Wyoming was not direct. He said last spring that he intended to sign with Utah. However, after a change on the Utah coaching staff, Murphy wanted to look for something else. Wyoming, he said, had the “family feel.”
“I think everything happens for a reason. It’s a blessing I have an opportunity to play at Wyoming,” Murphy said. “I think it all happened the way it’s supposed to happen.”
Kobey Eaton did not settle on a school until just a few days ago when he picked Montana.
“This is the best day in my life,” Eaton said. “I’ve been working my whole life for this. I can’t believe I made it this far, but at the same time I can’t wait to get on the field next year and do what I know I can do.”
Jerrin Williams said this day marks an achievement of a lifelong goal he had set for himself. Williams committed in October and never wavered.
“It’s a great fit,” he said of Montana. “I felt right at home.”
The Plainsmen, who went 2-7 this fall, were disappointed with the win-loss record but they all said the program — led by coach Don Johnson Jr., — helped them become Division I athletes.
“Just being able to go against the best in the state day in and day out, that’s going to help us transition to the next level,” Williams said.
“It’s an awesome program,” Eaton said. “I came up with amazing people and I have an amazing coach. I’d rather lose a few games and go Division I than win state.”
Ultimately, the Plainsmen expect to compete, to make the playoffs. Murphy said he believes he and his teammates will be able to say they helped start something big.
“Coach Johnson, in the next few years, is going to build the program. He’s going to make it a state title program,” Murphy predicted.
At Camas, Price proudly displayed his Wyoming colors at a morning ceremony. The All-Region player of the year said he and Wyoming officials had been in contact for two years. Now, he’s officially part of the program.
“It’s incredible just to see … all the blood, sweat, and tears can come down to a couple pieces of paper,” Price said. “Feels tremendous to be part of the Cowboys family.”
