Three members of the Pike County High School team signed scholarships to play college football during National Signing Day.

Senior Deshon Cowling signed with Missouri Southern State University, Jerrell Lawson signed with Chattanooga and Kamari Jackson will head to Clark Atlanta University.

“To have three guys really means a lot,” said Bulldogs head coach Fred Holland. “Their hard work and dedication means so much to the school. To have people call you and tell you they want you to be a part of their program, it means a lot.”

Family, friends and fellow teammates joined the three athletes on Wednesday.

“This is a moment that you will never forget,” Cowling said. “It almost makes you want to cry to see everybody out here for you. I just want to thank God and everybody that came for me.”

Cowling was part of a Bulldogs team that finished the season with a 9-2 record and outscored their opponents by a staggering 425-97 in 2015.

Cowling said the coaching staff told him he could expect to make an immediate impact on the program.

“They called me a lot,” Cowling said. “They have always been interested. I believe it’s the best fit for me. They run the stuff that I like to run. They told me I could come in and be a big time player for them as long as I come to work.”

He also credited the PCHS coaching staff with helping him reach this point.

“They always told me that hard work beat everything,” Cowling said. “I took that with me. I just want to tell the coaches thank you because if it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t be in the position that I am in now.”

Lawson said he was “just thankful and blessed to be here,” during the signing day event. “This just caps it the best way possible,” Lawson said. “This is the best day for me.”

He, too, credited the coaches and fellow teammates. “All these people really helped me a lot and kept my head on straight. It means a lot.”

Lawson was the utility man for the Bulldogs, starting at quarterback and defensive back in 2015. He will have the opportunity to play at defensive back for Mocs.

“They have always had a great program,” Lawson said. “They are on a three-peat right now and they told me they wanted me to come up and make it four.”

With all the extensive preparation of playing quarterback gone, Lawson looks forward to honing his craft on one single position.

“I believe that will be better for me,” Lawson said. “I will get a break. I am really excited and pumped. I get to focus on being great at that one position. I am very excited.”

Like Lawson and Cowling, Jackson played a major role in the Bulldog offense in 2015. Jackson hopes when he lines up as a receiver in 2016 that he will also make an immediate impact.

“I am going to play wide receiver,” Jackson said. “I love the coach up there and he thinks I will be a good fit for them.”

As Lawson, Cowling and Jackson get ready to depart Pike County they have a message for their team.

“Keep pushing,” Cowling said. “If you are a good player they are going to find you. They look for hard workers and kids that are good in the classroom. We are just trying to be leaders to the younger guys and let them know that they can make it.”

“Always work hard and do good in the classroom,” Jackson said.

“This program has a drive like no other,” Lawson said. “These guys come to school and they know we have to get our work done. They are all excited to come to work. Stay focused and keep your head set on your goals.”