By BAKER ELLIS / Sports Editor

CALERA – Calera High School had four athletes sign scholarship offers on Feb. 3 to continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level. Kyle Harrell signed to play football at West Point, Kevin Nunn signed to play football at Alabama State, Matthew Marfice signed to play baseball at the University of Montevallo and Anna Milliron signed to play soccer at Harding University in Arkansas.

“You four and others that will be signing in the spring represent the best of Calera High School,” Calera principal Joel Dixon said at the ceremony. “Academically, athletically, character-wise, from a leadership standpoint, you guys represent what we want everybody else to do. I am so, so proud to be able to stand here and watch you sign agreements to be able to further your education and have an opportunity to continue playing a sport you love at the next level.”

Milliron played a pivotal role on the 2015 Calera girls’ soccer team that advanced to the 4A/5A Final Four for the first time in school history. She was named to the Second Team All-Shelby County last season as a forward and will be the main offensive weapon to the Lady Eagles as they try to build off of the success from a season ago.

Marfice has been a mainstay on the Calera baseball program for years now as a pitcher and a catcher. Kevin Nunn transferred to Calera as a senior and helped the Eagles back to the 5A football playoffs as well.

Harrell represents one of three players in the county who signed with one of the service academies, along with Carter Bankston of Briarwood and Markell Clark of Spain Park, both of whom signed with the Naval Academy. Harrell, a running back, had 145 carries, 1,464 yards rushing and 18 touchdowns in his senior campaign for Calera.

“These four have achieved the ultimate goal for their athletic career, and that is to play at the next level,” Robert McCrackin, Calera’s athletic director added. “These four I know have worked extremely hard and put in the hard work and dedication, not only in practice but in academics as well. They’re examples for other students to look at.”

Each of the four signees gathered thanked their family, friends and coaches for the success they have achieved in leading to this moment.