COLLEGE SCOUTS KNOW THE WAY TO OAK MOUNTAIN – 2 MORE EAGLES FLY TO NEXT LEVEL

 The Eagles improved greatly as the 2004 campaign completed. At the end of the season, there wasn’t much difference between the Eagles and teams that went on and did well in the state playoffs. The hard work paid off on the field, and is now starting to pay off with offers of scholarships to play football on the next level. As mentioned on this site, Alabama signed Scott Deaton to a football scholarship, but the college scouts weren’t finished burning up the roads that lead to Oak Mountain High School.

Ryan Fordham who amassed almost 120 tackles this season, ranked among the top 5 in 6A. Most experts knew he would surely get a chance to continue tackling in college.  Samford, Troy, College of Charleston, and Vanderbilt were just a few of the schools inquiring about Fordham. Things shook out for the tackling freak when he signed with Samford! Now that makes sense…a bulldog going to play for the bulldogs! Now they get to see close up, that this dog’s bark is as bad as his bite!!

Chris Johnson, who played most of the 2004 campaign nursing an injury show a lot of potential and athleticism and the scouts noticed. In fact, they noticed his junior year and started sending letters then. The mailman has stayed busy with coaches requesting more film on the standout.  “Chris is especially good getting off blocks and attacking the quarterback off the corner. He showed a lot of heart and maturity last year coming back to our squad after the injury. He is healthy right now and really looking forward to competing next season” Coach Hood     In fact, he’s like an 18 wheeler rolling over his opponents making them road kill. In the end, Johnson decided to delivery the goods for the commodores of Vanderbilt. A fine institution just got a fine young man! 

Finally the heart of the Oak Mountain Eagles would like the opportunity to continue to beat. Pete Ridley would like to continue his playing days on the next level as well. He’s already been offered at one school but Pete wants to go closer to home. In talking to Pete, he knows that the “big” schools would probably try to use him on scout teams and make it extremely hard to make their teams, but Ridley said it wouldn’t bother him. Don’t be surprised if Ridley signs with someone.  He could give any school a much needed heart transplant....keep on beating Pete!