Chilton County High School seniors Cade Hatch and JeQuaries Martin each signed on Wednesday to play football at Independence Community College in Independence, Kan.

The cafeteria at Chilton County High School was crowded with students on hand to watch the signing take place.

“We would love to get every guy that plays for us to sign, but you’ve got to start somewhere,” Chilton County head coach Brian Bradford said. “It was great to have everyone that experienced it with us.”

The fact that both players are making the transition together should help ease the process not only to another level of football but also a different area of the country.

“We’ll probably room together and keep each other company,” Hatch said. “Actually knowing someone there will definitely make it a lot easier.”

Both players developed into leaders on and off the field for the Tigers this past season.

“The coaches care about the players and the players work hard to give them all they’ve got,” Martin said. “It’s been a good time.”

By his senior season, Hatch had become a reliable target in the CCHS passing attack, while Martin did most of his damage on the other side of the ball by creating havoc in the opponent’s backfield.

Hatch hauled in a team-high 25 receptions for 486 yards and seven touchdowns while also rushing for two and scoring on a kickoff return.

Martin finished second on the team with 90 tackles from his hybrid defensive end/linebacker position. He also accounted for four sacks and four fumble recoveries.

“They were everything for us the last two years,” Bradford said. “When we needed a big play, they were the guys that we went.”

As head coach Brian Bradford continues to build consistency within the football program, Martin and Hatch helped lay a foundation of work ethic and determination for future teams to follow.

Bradford understands that it is an emotional day anytime a player signs with a college, and he has learned over the years that it is more about the student instead of the sport that they play.

“It’s all about finding the right place for them that they can be comfortable with,” Bradford said. “It’s not just about playing ball.”