Chilton County pitcher Chance Calloway will continue his baseball career at Northwest Florida State College.

It could be a perfect fit for Calloway, who CCHS coach Josey Shannon said excelled because of his determination and competitiveness. The senior will now play in the Panhandle Conference, a collection of junior colleges that Shannon called “the SEC of junior college baseball.”

NWFS coach Doug Martin was an assistant coach along with Shannon at Pensacola Junior College.

“He knows what kind of players I like, and I speak highly of [Calloway],” Shannon said. “He’s going to get a tough kid—tough mentally and physically.”

Calloway—who throws a fastball, changeup and curveball—was the ace of a Chilton staff that led the team to a 25-19 record and a berth in the third round of the Class 5A state playoffs.

“If you ever watch him pitch, you know he’s tough and he’s going to give you all he’s got,” Shannon said. “You’re going to have to hit his stuff because he’s going to keep bringing it.

“You just don’t find those kids every day. He’s a winner.”

Shannon said he thinks Calloway could have been even more effective as a pitcher this season were he not forced into outfield action because of the Tigers’ slim roster.

Calloway played all three outfield positions and batted in high school but will focus on pitching at NWFS.

“I can’t wait to see how much better he’s going to get over the course of the next 6-8 months,” Shannon said.

NWFS is located in Niceville, Fla., near Destin and Eglin Air Force Base.