On Wednesday, a signing ceremony was held at Warren Gym for 10 Brownwood Lion and Lady Lion seniors who will continue their athletic and academic careers collegiately.

Brownwood Lions senior football standout Case Markham will be taking his talents across town to Howard Payne where he will join first-year head coach Kevin Batchel’s program.

“I always wanted to do it but never knew if it was going to happen,” Markham said of the chance to play college football. “When I got the opportunity to play at Howard Payne it was a no-doubter for me.’

Regarding the Howard Payne decision, Markham said, “I really wanted to stay around my family, and I hunt a lot, and I can still stay around here and hunt.”

Brownwood Lions football assistant coach Derrick Stacks said of Markham, “I remember Case as a freshman and he just wanted to compete. He did whatever was asked of him, play receiver, play receiver, play safety, play quarterback, and Case’s determination to compete continued to grow. He didn’t want to sit and watch. He’s not the strongest or fastest guy, but he learned the game. As a student in the classroom and a student on the field, he learned how to make plays. Case’s determination to make himself hard to get off the field has given him the opportunity to go play at HPU.”

Markham finished his senior season as a first-team all-district utility player in 2-4A Division I as he tallied 60 tackles, 2 for loss, 2 interceptions, and 1 pass break-up on defense; and rushed for 30 yards on 5 carries on offense

Among his fondest memories as a Lion, Markham said, “That second gold ball that we won against El Paso Irvin. I think that was one of the best games we played all year.”

In the 63-0 bi-district win over El Paso Irvin, Markham returned a punt 80 yards for a touchdown and an interception 20 yards for another score.