Four senior members of the New Madrid County Central High School Eagles Football team pose for a photo prior to signing their letters of intent to play football in college. Pictured from left are Ja'Main Golden, Matt Riley, Adrian Smith and Shamar Williamson. Golden, Smith and Williamson will play football at Southeast Missouri State University and Riley will play foro Missouri Valley College.

Jill Bock/Standard Democrat

NEW MADRID, Mo. - On Feb. 2, the National Signing Day for football, four of New Madrid County Central High School’s football seniors sat down and signed their intention to take their game to the next level.

Ja’Main Golden, Adrian Smith and Shamar Williamson signed with Southeast Missouri State University. Matt Riley signed with Missouri Valley College.

Joining the young men at the signings were members of the NMCC staff, family, friends and fellow senior football players.

NMCC head football coach Tyler Fullhart expressed his pride in the players and their accomplishments.

“The hard work and the training to get you guys to this point didn’t just start in August of your senior year. It starts way before that. It starts when you are at home and being raised properly,” he said. “I’m proud of who they are and thankful for the families that have shared them with us.

I’m excited to see the future. I can’t wait to see what these guys do.”

Fullhart said he always wanted to watch one of his players playing for SEMO and noted now he will be driving up to games to watch three. He added he will have to drive a bit further to watch Riley.

According to Fullhart, Golden, who was an offensive lineman and a defensive end at NMCC, will be a receiver for the SEMO Redhawks. Both wide receivers and outside linebackers for the Eagles, Williamson and Smith will play defensively for SEMO.

“I think they are going to fit in just fine. All three are hard workers, good kids, very coachable,” Fullhart said. “I know how that program is run up there. We take a lot of things from SEMO and try to implement it in our program so I think they will slide in very well.”

Riley, who was the quarterback for NMCC’s football team, will continue in that position at Missouri Valley College, according to the coach

“Matt is a very smart kid. He will go up there and whatever system they run, whatever they do, he will learn it quickly. I would say he will compete very early on and do a great job up there,” Fullhart said.

Riley, the son of Liz and Ryan Riley, said he was glad he will continue playing football and looks forward to playing for the Missouri Valley College Vikings.

After watching SEMO’s football team at their homecoming game last fall, Golden said he liked the team’s playing style. “How they play was very exciting and everybody was into the game. I’m excited to go there and I want to show them what I have got,” he said.

Williamson and Smith said they liked that their college home games will be played in nearby Cape Girardeau.

Williamson, who is the son of Brandon Williamson, also noted he is glad to have two of his teammates there as well. “We have been playing together since I was little so that is going to be great to get to play with them in college,” he said.

The four seniors also acknowledged the role their coaches, fellow seniors and underclassmen played in their high school football careers.

“I want to thank the people for believing in me,” said Smith, who is the son of Sommers and Felawn Smith and Fremeika Smith. “I wouldn’t be here without them.”

Williamson said he appreciated the play by all the seniors. “They made me look good,” he said. “They made me better all year.”

“I love playing with these guys and these coaches,” Riley added.

The son of Sedaleya Williams, Golden admitted he would miss his high school football days. He added, “I wish I had one more year.”