Deondre Chambliss is all smiles after signing to play college football at Emory & Henry College, Friday afternoon.

East Ridge High School football coach Tim James called Friday “a day of celebration” as two of his players signed letters of intent to play college football at Emory & Henry College in Southwest Virginia.

Deondre Chambliss and Jordan Henry signed on the dotted line to follow their athletic dreams to the next level.

Chambliss, a 6-foot, one-inch, 265 pound offensive lineman, said after the signing that “all his hard work has paid off.”

“Not many people get the chance that I’m getting,” he said as teammates and classmates ate cake and drank punch during a ceremony commemorating the event. “I’m very happy.”

Coach James said that Chambliss would probably have played fullback for the Pioneers if they didn’t have a shortage of lineman. Chambliss said he anticipates playing on the defensive side of the line for the Division III Wasps, probably as a linebacker.

Harvey, a 6-foot, two-inch, 185 pound wide receiver and defensive back, said signing to play college football was “a dream come true.”

After signing, Harvey said that football is his “passion.”

“I’m going to miss my teammates,” he said. “Basically, these guys have been my family.

“This is a new experience that I’ve worked my whole life for,” he added. 

Coach James told those gathered that he was confident both young men would be successful “playing football on Saturdays three hours up the road.”

James said that both players not only excelled on the field but in the classroom. “They are getting the total package,” he said. “Not only are they getting athletic scholarship money but academic money as well.

“Emory & Henry is getting two fine young men,” James said.

Jordan Harvey makes it official, as he signed a letter of intent to play college football at Emory & Henry College.