Veterans’ signing class represents work, records

Already having said goodbye to quarterback Logan Byrd, Veterans High coach David Bruce oversaw the college scholarship signing ceremony for three more Warhawk seniors on Wednesday. Among these were some workhorses and game-changers who, like Byrd, will be a tough challenge to replace.

“All three of these young men are outstanding,” said Bruce about tailback Desjuan Harris, lineman Devin Wingate and dual-threat Isaiah Gray. “They work hard in the classroom and on the field. They do all the little things it takes to get in position to play at the next level. Some kids get overlooked, but they found a place to play next year.”

Gray, the brother of former Warner Robins High Demon and Oklahoma State Cowboy Maurice Gray, signed to play junior college ball at Highland College in Kansas. Playing defense in the secondary, Gray picked off three passes and defended eight others as a senior in 2015. He had three touchdowns to his credit, one returning an interception, one returning a kickoff and one more returning a punt. Gray returned 22 kickoffs in all for 475 yards (21.6 average).

The kick-off touchdown came in a thrilling game Veterans had in Perry against Upson-Lee. Gray also returned a kickoff into the end zone as a junior.

He compares himself to Tavon Austin of the now Los Angeles Rams … “Because he’s short (5-8) like me. I feel like short guys can get it done. It’s not all about size.”

Gray chose to attend a two-year football program in the town of Highland, Kan., with the goal of transferring to an NCAA Division I school.

“They like my speed,” said Gray. “They feel I can come make big plays. I have to train harder than in high school, got to get in shape more. It’s faster, quicker.”

And yes, Isaiah would love to follow in the footsteps of brother Maurice and one day suit up for Oklahoma State. Maurice was a Cowboy from 2008-10 and also took the junior college route, first playing at Butler in Kansas where he was an All-American and won a national championship.

Maurice now coaches junior college football at Northeast Oklahoma.

“He told me don’t go out there and play around,” said Isaiah about big brother’s advice. “I got to get it done because it’s not going to come to me. Got to go take it.”

Gray also received a lot of stern advice over the last four years from Bruce at Veterans.

“He’s a good motivator,” he said. “He taught me how to be a man. A lot of toughness.”

Gray too wants to get into coaching one day so he can motivate players.

Harris will attend the University of the Cumberlands in Kentucky. As a running back, it seems that whatever he does, wherever he goes, there’s Byrd to hand him a football. As a senior, he ran 276 times for 1,532 yards and 13 touchdowns. The year before that, it was just 196 rushes for 985 yards.

“I was just doing my job,” said Harris. “Just try to make plays for my team and get a win.”

It did get tiring taking all the hits, but he said he did what he could to “shake and bake” and make tackling him tougher. Harris gave a “shout-out” to his “boy” Logan Hurless, Warhawk offensive guard.

“(The offensive line) helped me a lot,” he said. “They are the reason I got all my yards and set some records for Veterans. I love them.”

Harris started playing football at age 5 and made All-Star status, going to places like Macon, Atlanta and South Carolina.

“(Football) gave me a lot of responsibility,” he said. “Manning up to situations.”

In going to Cumberlands of the NAIA, Harris will join a former teammate and good friend Nick Anderson. The Patriots went 7-3 last season.

“Me and the coaches linked up and started talking things out,” said Harris. “We had a visit Jan. 7. I’m going to have a lot of competition (at running back), but I’m going to show them I can take that position and run the ball like I’m supposed to.”

Harris wants to major in biology and become a dentist.

Wingate’s deal takes him to a program building itself to national-championship level. That’s the University of West Georgia in Carrollton, now coming off back-to-back seasons in the Division II semifinals.

“I’ve been playing for a while, since Pee-Wee, third grade, and loved the sport ever since,” said Wingate, both a center and a guard.

What does he think about being in an offense with a back that gets as many carries as Harris, not to mention the amount of times Byrd ran keepers?

“It’s full-speed ahead. I loved it,” said Wingate. “It’s a lot more fun running the ball than passing it as an offensive lineman. I feel like I got better in this program. My coaches are very disciplined, won’t let us do anything wrong. Didn’t let us slack around.”

As for connecting with West Georgia, Wingate said school representatives just showed up at Veterans one day to see him. He said they liked his film and would stay in touch. Then, in January, he said he got more calls and eventually paid a visit.

“I loved it up there,” said Wingate. “I’m excited to play for a team that has this attitude. I think it’s going to be a great experience. I’m going to keep training, stay in the weight room, stay running, hopefully stay in shape.

“I know they lost a few (seniors) on the offensive line. There will be a bunch of guys returning. However it plays out, I am going to do my best to get on the field.”

Wingate’s academic plans are to get into the business school.

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