SPRING HILL- With the school year complete, graduating athletes around Hernando County are still in search of where they’ll play on the collegiate level and a few have found their new homes.
In the days leading up to the end of the school year, two of Springstead’s top athletes are now signing with universities and they signed letters of intent. Randy Morgan and Kyle Manuel signed with Advanced Prep Academy and Southeastern University, respectively. Both Morgan and Manuel played on Springtead’s football team this past 2017 campaign.
Morgan, who played running back primarily, made a name for himself in the Springstead football record books and helped lead the Eagles to 7-3 record in 2017. The stellar running back would go on to break five records during the season which included longest run (97 yards), most points in a season (116 total points), most points in a career (236 total points), most touchdowns in a season (19 touchdowns) and most touchdowns in a career (37 total touchdowns).
Morgan fell only 21 yards short of Dan Wright’s 2,836 career total rushing yards he had from 2011-2015 at Springstead. Advanced Prep Academy is located in over in Polk County, which will keep Morgan close to home.
Manuel played primarily defensive end for the Eagles on the football team, totaling 27 tackles for the season, but made a name for himself on the track and field team.
Manuel holds school records in the discus (2018, 53.57 meters) and shot put (2018, 16.5 meters) and also earned three state medals, including a fourth place finish in the discus at states this past spring. Southeastern University is a school located not too far away over in Lakeland, Florida.
In signings around the county, Hernando catcher/outfielder Austin Legg signed with Missouri Valley. Legg batted .301 during the season for the Leopards and notched 22 hits and drove in 18 runs. Legg was a key piece to Hernando reaching the postseason once again this 2018 season. Missouri Valley is a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) school located in Marshall, Missouri.
Also signing before the 2017-2018 school year concluded was Weeki Wachee linemen Shane Davidson and Jason McKnight, whom both signed with Wilkes University. Wilkes University is located in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania.
McKnight made eight total tackles on defense for the Hornets this past season, with three of those going for a loss. Davidson played primarily on the offensive line for Weeki Wachee and only played on defense sparingly.
Andy Villamarzo can be reached at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @avillamarzo.
