By Dave Morrison
Five Independence players signed to continue their football careers at the next level Wednesday afternoon during a National Signing Day ceremony at the school.
Receiver/quarterback/defensive back Trey Bowers signed to attend WVU and joined four others including linebacker Derrick “D” Hype, offensive linemen Fisher Williams and Micah Brown at Glenville, and Connor Bradford at Washington & Jefferson.
Coach John H. Lilly noted the Patriots have had 13 players sign NLIs the last three seasons and that fact illustrates what he hoped to achieve when he took the reins five seasons ago.
The current class is the only one in school history to make the playoffs four seasons in a row, played in two state championships, winning in 2022, three semifinals and had a record of 37-8.
‘I think it means a lot,” Lilly said of the Indy having five players sign this year and 13 the last two seasons. “I think it proves consistency and that’s something that we’re striving for now as we take this next step going to Class AAA (when the new classifications arrive for the fall).
“I think all these guys are reflective of our motto ‘There’s no amount of good a man can do if they don’t care who gets the credit. This team exemplifies that.“
Here is what the five players had to say about signing and more from John H. Lilly on the players:
Quarterback Trey Bowers:
Derrick “D” Hypes:
Center Fisher Williams:
Offensive lineman Mich Williams:
Running back Connor Bradford:
Coach John H. Lilly: