A persuasive pitch and a solid academic offering were enough to convince a pair of Porters Chapel Academy football players to sign with Mississippi College.

Lineman Sidney Meacham and Kenny Simms, a running back and defensive end, both verbally committed to the Clinton school after meeting with head coach and Vicksburg native Norman Joseph last week. Verbal committments are non-binding. National signing day is Feb. 1.

For Meacham, getting a chance to play football at MC was a bonus. He had planned on attending the school next fall anyway.

&#8220It kind of sealed the deal,” said Meacham, who had 94 tackles and five sacks for PCA last season and will likely play defensive tackle in college. &#8220It’s a good school to learn at, it’s home, and they should do well in football.”

Being close to home also was a big selling point for Simms. He was being recruited by Ouachita Baptist in Arkansas and Southwest Baptist University in Missouri, but the chance to play in front of family and friends won him over.

&#8220I know my family wanted me to stay close so they could watch me play,” Simms said. &#8220They have a good choir program and it’s a Christian school, and I like that.”

Simms added that Belhaven was still recruiting him, and he may take a visit there. But Mississippi College was his first choice.

Simms played in the Mississippi Private School Association’s all-star game in December after helping PCA go 11-1 and reach the Academy-A North State championship game. He amassed 1,163 all-purpose yards and 12 touchdowns as a running back, receiver and kick returner, and also registered 103 tackles and seven sacks as a defensive end.

The 5-foot-9, 165-pounder said MC is recruiting him as an athlete, and he expects to play somewhere on defense.

MC is recruiting Chris Mann, a defensive lineman who was second on the team with 123 tackles.

Running back Chris Mixon, who ran for 1,502 yards and 20 touchdowns last season, also is being recruited by MC, along with Delta State.