Of nearly a dozen Warren County players expected to sign letters of intent on Wednesday’s national signing day, only Warren Central punter Eric Richards and Vicksburg High defensive lineman David Williams are being heavily recruited by four-year schools. Richards verbally committed to Mississippi State in the fall, while Williams is considering an offer from Alcorn State.

The rest are likely to sign with junior colleges, making them eligible to move on to a four-year school again in one or two years.

&#8220There’s a lot of reasons for different people,” said Williams, who had 64 tackles for the Gators last season. &#8220Some people are doing it to get their grades up. Some want to do it for the competition.”

Count Williams among those who are considering the juco route for the competition.

He has qualified academically and been offered a scholarship from Alcorn State. But after taking a visit to Jones Junior College, the two schools are neck and neck. He said he’ll make his final decision tonight and sign with one of them on Wednesday.

&#8220It seems like Jones does a lot more, workout-wise,” Williams said. &#8220At first I was thinking about going to Alcorn. Then I went to visit Jones and liked the facility.”

Hayden Hales is in the group of players who could go to a junior college because they don’t yet qualify academically for a four-year school.

The Porters Chapel quarterback threw for 2,449 yards and 28 touchdowns last season while earning the Vicksburg Post’s Offensive Player of the Year award. He only made a 16 on the ACT, however, one point short of qualifying under NCAA standards.

Hales plans to take the test again this weekend and could still sign with a four-year school this year. Mississippi College and Belhaven are among several that have shown interest. For now, though, Hales is strongly considering an offer from Hinds Community College to play football and baseball.

&#8220I just want to play a sport,” Hales said, adding that there are plenty of positives to playing at a junior college. &#8220I’ve heard a lot about how you can get looked at. That’s a good thing, is that a lot of players get looked at … There’s other opportunities. I just have to see who gives me the best offer and if I can get my ACT up.”

Vicksburg High offensive lineman Mark Cabatay has been recruited by Southern University and Alcorn, but is leaning toward Hinds or Jones because they offer a path to bigger four-year schools.

&#8220I think everybody in this class seems to be ambitious, so they’re going to a junior college as a way to do it,” Cabatay said. &#8220We can go to a Division II or a small Division I school, but I’m trying to go to the SEC and this is a way to do it.”

Cabatay’s plan may seem like a dream to some, but he doesn’t have to look far to see that it can turn into reality.

Former Warren Central running back Larry Warner failed to qualify academically after signing with Southern University in 2005. He ended up at Gulf Coast Community College, where he ran for 1,244 yards and 10 touchdowns last season. He also was selected to the National Junior College Athletic Association’s All-America team.

For Warner, it was certainly the right move. He verbally committed to Division I-AA Southern Illinois two weeks ago and will sign with the school on Wednesday.

&#8220I have no regrets about coming to junior college. That’s the best thing that could’ve happened to me,” Warner said. &#8220I believe everything happens for a reason. Hinds left me off their protected list for a reason, I went to Gulf Coast for a reason, and I’m going to Southern Illinois for a reason.”