Hornets RB Ford and OL Long headed to Kingsville

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A large group of Huntsville High School seniors celebrated together on national signing day Wednesday. From left are Alec Stivender, who signed a soccer scholarship from Barclay College in Kansas; Steve York and Daniel Hazlewood, both of whom signed academic scholarships and will play football at Northwestern State in Natchitoches, La.; Tori Koerselman, who last fall signed a softball scholarship from LSU; Bridge Blount, who accepted a preferred walk-on opportunity at Sam Houston State; Henry Ford, who signed a football scholarship from Texas A&M-Kingsville; and Aundra Long, who also signed a football scholarship from Texas A&M-Kingsville. Not pictured is Lady Hornets basketball player Breanna Fuller, who signed last fall with Northwestern State but was unable to attend Wednesday’s ceremony. D.J. Shafer
Huntsville running back Henry Ford (25) was thorougly impressed after taking a visit last weekend to Texas A&M-Kingsville, where he was offered a football scholarship to play for the Javelinas. Ford signed the deal on Wednesday morning and will play football in Kingsville this fall alongside his Hornet teammate Aundra Long. D.J. Shafer
Huntsville offensive lineman Aundra Long signed a football scholarship from Texas A&M-Kingsville on Wednesday. D.J. Shafer

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February 1, 2012

By Tom Waddill Sports Editor The Huntsville Item Wed Feb 01, 2012, 11:06 PM CST

HUNTSVILLE — Huntsville teammates Henry Ford and Aundra Long knew exactly what they were going to do after taking a visit to Texas A&M-Kingsville.

In limbo about where their college football careers would kick off, Ford and Long found a home as soon as they stepped foot on the campus in Kingsville.

“I liked everything about it — the campus, the coaches, the football program,” said Ford, a speedy and shifty running back who posted some big numbers during his high school career with the Hornets. “The coaches were real cool. They made us feel at home and made me feel like they were going to take care of our needs. They were encouraging and told us they were backing me 100 percent.

“The campus tour blew me out of the water,” Ford added. “I’ve never seen a campus like that. It was beautiful. I really felt at home there. On the ride home, I knew that would be a great place for me.”

Long, who was considering Abilene Christian and Sam Houston, was impressed with the things he saw and what he heard at A&M-Kingsville.

“They showed us all the dorms, the weight room, the locker room. We both really liked it,” said Long, a 6-foot-4, 260-pound tackle who will likely move from the right to the left side of the line when he gets to Kingsville. “I was thinking about going to Sam Houston and Abilene Christian was talking to me some.

“After going down to Kingsville last weekend, it was a pretty easy decision.”

Hornets head coach Shane Martin introduced all five of his players who will start their college careers later this year. He said Texas A&M-Kingsville signed a dynamite pair of Hornets in Ford and Long.

“Henry has been playing for us since he was a sophomore. He’s the only running back in our district to have over 1,000 yards the last two years,” Martin boasted. “... And Aundra is the reason Henry had 1,000 yards.”

Since football season ended for the Hornets last fall, Ford had his doubts about whether he would get an opportunity to play at the next level. Now, he and one of his best buddies are going off to college together where they will play for a Javelinas program rich with a winning tradition.

A&M-Kingsville, formerly called Texas A&I, has won seven national championships and made 22 national playoff appearances.

“This is a dream I never thought would come true,” Ford said. “All of a sudden it popped up. My momma told me God has big plans for me and he does have big plans. I’m going to study hard, play hard and try to make it to the NFL one day. That’s my goal, but I’ve got to take it one step at a time.”

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Hornets RB Ford and OL Long headed to Kingsville

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