EARLY – On Thursday, Early Longhorn senior first-team all-district offensive linemen Marcus Morelan and Cole Miller signed letter of intents to continue their football careers at the collegiate level. Morelan is headed to Henderson State in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, while Miller will stay close to home and attend Howard Payne.

“Cole was an implant this year, a senior, and he came in and did a great job both on the offensive line and defensive line,” said Early head coach Daniel Price. “He was a great addition for our team and really allowed us to be successful. Marcus is home grown and came up through the system. To see where he’s at now is unbelievable. For both of them to have this opportunity is just unbelievable and we’re excited about where they’re going and excited to see their futures.”

Morelan – who tallied 83 tackles as a senior, including 14 for loss with 2 sacks on the first Early football team to reach the postseason in 12 years – chose Henderson State over Angelo State. Morelan was also a 3-3A Division I first-team all-district selection on defense.

“It’s a really beautiful campus,” Morelan said of the choice to attend Henderson State. “I have a chance to get away from a smaller town and experience what my future life is going to be like. This is a big chance for me.”

Miller – who recorded 26 tackles with 1 for loss in his lone season at Early – opted for Howard Payne over Norwich University in Vermont. Miller was named second-team all-district on defense.

“One of the colleges that originally wanted me and the one I was going to go at first was Norwich in Vermont,” Miller said. “But because of the distance from home, and if something were to happen, living halfway across the country would be bad. I’m glad I found a college closer to home. I like the coaching staff there, they’re a great bunch of guys and I can’t wait to work with them.”

Reflecting on their fondest memories of their playing days at Early, Morelan referred to “the experience of being a team and bonding. It’s going to be unreal not to be with the same guys.”

Miller added, “I’m going to remember the brotherhood and how much we bonded as a team as we went into the playoffs.”

Of their opportunities to play college football, Miller said, “It’s amazing that I get to play the sport I love in college. I’ll learn more lessons and hopefully win more games.”

Morelan added “It’s just unreal. It’s been what we’ve been working for and to accomplish our goal is just something else. It makes me feel everything I’ve put into my work is showing now. I’m just really happy for what I’ve done.”

Morelan intends to become a coach in the future.

“I want to influence other kids to do what I did and work hard for what they want,” Morelan said.

Miller plans to study criminal justice at Howard Payne.

“I’ve always wanted to study criminal justice, I feel like that’s a career where I can help more people,” Miller said. “It’s something I’ve always been interested in.”