Two Patriots sign football scholarships
Kevin Wright (l) and Dustin Haraway (r) signed football scholarships
Years of hard work on and off the football fields paid off Thursday when Bob Jones seniors Dustin Haraway and Kevin Wright signed football scholarships with Georgetown College, a NAIA power located in Georgetown, Kentucky. This makes five football players to sign scholarships equaling last year.
“Academically and athletically it is a good opportunity for both of them,” said Bob Jones head football Coach Kevin Rose. “Anytime you have teammates going together in college especially out of state is good. Georgetown has excellent academics, it is one of the two top law schools in Kentucky,” Rose said.
A strong senior season propelled Wright to the attention of college recruiters. Playing primarily slot back he led Bob Jones in catches with 47 and had seven touchdowns receiving. As a running back he rushed for over 700 yards and scored eleven touchdowns rushing.
Wright had his best performances in the clutch. Against Gadsden City in the opening round of the playoffs he ran for one touchdown, caught a touchdown pass and even played quarterback and threw a 21-yard touchdown pass in the Patriots’ 35-20 win over Gadsden City.
“They were looking for a safety and a running back,” Wright said. “I took a visit to Georgetown and Shorter. I was looking for a school to get a good education and degree and I like the facilities and academics at Georgetown.”
Haraway was one of only two starters returning on defense and made big plays all season from his safety position as Bob Jones went 8-4 and won their fourth straight region title.
Surrounded by his parents and family, Haraway said that the highlight of his senior season was playing alongside his brother Dylan, a junior.
“We fought a lot growing up but playing with him side-by-side on defense was really special. Together we accomplished our goals.”
“My mom has always pushed me to do great in school. She wouldn’t accept anything less than an A. I wouldn’t be here today without her,” he said.
Haraway started playing football at five years old when his father Steve, a former Bob Jones quarterback, coached his team.
Haraway thanked all the coaches who helped him find the right fit in a college to keep playing football.
“These two guys led this football team to accomplish more than anybody thought we could,” Coach Rose said. “They had more of an impact on their side of the football than anybody I’ve ever coached. We beat teams that had more athletes than we did. They made big plays all season.”
