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By J.R. TIDWELL/ADVERTISER

Eric Evans has meant a lot to Jemison High School football over the past two seasons.

During that time he carried the ball 606 times for 4,128 yards and 57 touchdowns combined during regular season contests.

Now Evans will be taking his talents to Montgomery, where he will be lacing up his cleats for the Faulkner University Eagles of the NAIA.

Evans officially signed with Faulkner at JHS March 16 during a morning ceremony in the school’s auditorium.

“I got a call and was asked to come visit,” Evans said. “I went to the campus and fell in love with the place, the coaches and the people that were there. They were all friendly, and I knew it was like home. It’s not that far away. I’m a home guy, so that played a big role along with the coaches. They painted a perfect picture for me.”

Evans found out March 8 that Faulkner had an offer for him.

“It feels pretty great,” he aid. “I’m excited that I get another chance to chase another goal.”

Evans said he has been playing football since the age of 4.

“My father introduced me to the game, and I fell in love with it,” he said. “My parents have kept me in it: that and a love for the game. I love being physical, the contact and I love to win.”

Evans has been a running back for the Panthers for the past four years.

“It’s been fun,” he said. “I like scoring touchdowns, making cuts and running over people. It’s fun. I like [helping] my teammates get hyped. I enjoy all the stuff like that.”

His performance helped Jemison reach the playoffs the past two seasons, according to JHS head coach Van Clements.

“We couldn’t have done it without him,” Clements said. “Eric was a great guy. He is going to be tough to replace. He showed up every day and went to work. He got even stronger when the lights turned on. He has meant a lot to this program.

“Faulkner is getting a great player. He is a kid who knows and studies the game. He is going to work hard on and off the field.”

Though he has yet to decide on a particular career path, Evans does already know what he will major in at Faulkner.

“I am going to major in sports management,” he said. “As soon as I saw the choices, I knew that was for me; that’s who I am.”

Evans said a couple of things stood out to him about his time playing football at Jemison.

“I will remember the loud cheers of the fans, the teammates I’ve grown with, scoring a lot of touchdowns and being happy all the time playing football,” he said.