EARLY – Three members of the 2025 Early Longhorns District 5-3A Division II tri-champion football team – the school’s first league crown since 2007 – are headed to college to continue their athletic and academic careers.

Running backs Stone Ratliff (UT-Permian Basin) and Cameron Love (Hardin-Simmons) and offensive/defensive lineman Ben Wilson (Hardin-Simmons) each put pen to paper during a signing ceremony Wednesday afternoon at the Early High School gym.

All three seniors earned first-team all-district accolades from the coaches of 5-3A Division II, and each was a captain for the Longhorns 2025 squad.

Early head coach Marvin Wilson said, “I’m excited for today and here’s why. Way over a million kids play football in the United States, and 6 percent of that number end up playing any level of college football. And we’ve got three that are about to do it, and that’s a big thing. You young guys, your turn is coming, take advantage of the opportunity like these guys did. We talk about leadership, and these are three of our four captains. I’ve been doing this for over 20 years and these are three of the best leaders I’ve ever seen. They led by actions and they led by example.”

Ratliff, a first-team all-district running back, amassed 320 yards on the ground and four touchdowns, and also caught 19 passes for 262 yards and scored twice. For his high school career, Ratliff amassed 39 receptions for 634 yards with five trips to the end zone, and picked up 395 yards on the ground.

“I’m just thankful for the opportunity and I give all glory to God for sure, and my family that’s made it happen, and these guys that have made it feel like home over here,” Ratliff said.

Regarding his decision to attend UT-Permian Basin, Ratliff said, “(Head) coach (Chris) Softley over there, that’s exactly where I want to be. He has the right program, the right attitude, he’s going to develop me into a great young man, not only just a football player but a Christian young man. That’s what he preaches and that’s what I’m all about. I want to develop as a person.”

Ratliff stated he was likely bound for Hardin-Simmons until a late UTPB offer.

To achieve Early’s first district title in 18 years, Ratliff said, “It’s really special to come over with Ben and be able to do that with Cameron, it was the first time since 2007 so that was really awesome. It was a crazy feeling, I can’t even explain it. And to do it with guys I love is awesome.”

Wilson, a first-team all-district pick along the offensive line, helped paved the way from his center position for an Early offense that averaged 32 points and 325 yards – 189 rushing and 136 passing – per game.

Wilson also amassed 18 tackles, with four behind the line of scrimmage, with one sack, giving him a total of 62 tackles, with six for loss, and the one sack in his varsity high school career.

“Glory to God for sure,” Wilson said. “It is definitely an accomplishment, and these young men have made it feel like home. To be able to do what we’ve done with all these guys, I wouldn’t want to accomplish it with another group.”

As for choosing Hardin-Simmons, Wilson said, “It just felt like home. I’ve enjoyed their program and I’ve been to a couple of FCA camps there and linemen challenges. I enjoy the coaches, they seem like great people. It’s a good community to be around up there, and I have family in Abilene. It just seems like an overall good program.”

Wilson opted for Hardin-Simmons over Howard Payne.

Regarding the district championship season, Wilson said, “It’s great to see how much adversity they were able to face and push through and make it come true.”

Love was also a first-team all-district running back, churning out 520 rushing yards with five touchdowns. In his varsity career, Love finished with 1,376 yards on the ground and crossed the goal line 10 times.

“This means everything to me,” Love said. “Through the nights and early mornings we had to practice, we grew together as a family and always felt supported. We give all glory to God.”

Love said of picking HSU, “I had a visit with HPU with Ben and Stone, but I knew where ever Ben was going I was staying with the family. When I first stepped foot on campus at HSU it did feel like home and the right decision. They’re great at developing players and that’s what I’m here for, to get better and reach new heights every day.”

A member of last year’s one-win Early squad, Love said of the 2025 district championship, “We’ve been here grinding and all it took was a little change in the coaching staff and my boys came over and we took care of business.”