Moving on

EAST COUNTY — Three East County football players signed national letters of intent March 5.

Braden River linebacker Marcus Balliette signed with Stetson University, while Cardinal Mooney running back Demardre Patterson and wide receiver Austin Leach both signed with prep schools.

Patterson, who verbally committed to Kennesaw State University, will spend a semester at North Georgia Technical College to improve his grades. He will play football for the North Georgia Sports Academy.

Patterson will then sign with Kennesaw State in January. Kennesaw State will begin playing Division I-AA this fall and will join the Big South Conference in fall 2015.

Leach, who transitioned from defensive back to wide receiver this season, signed with East Coast Prep in Massachusetts. East Coast Prep is one of the top prep schools in the nation and has a reputation of placing its athletes with Division I programs. Leach hopes to sign a Division I scholarship in January.

Marcus Balliette
Age: 17

School: Braden River

Position: Linebacker

College Choice: Stetson University

Deciding Factor: “It was one of the few schools that caught my interest,” Balliette says. “I went to visit a month ago and loved it. I just felt close to the team and the coach. I really liked it. It felt like home.”

Intended Major: Sports science or sports medicine. “I want to learn about the body and maybe go into physical therapy,” Balliette says.

Transition Game: “Everyone at the college level was the star at his high school,” Balliette says. “The level of play is going to be really good, and the speed of the game is a lot faster.”

Biggest Asset: Brains for the game. “Having played on both sides of the ball, I’m able to understand and diagnose plays and find the ball carrier.”

Fondest Moment: This season. “I just (enjoyed) having the team atmosphere,” Balliette says. “Everyone tried their best for every win, and the feeling after those wins was just great.”

Coach’s Evaluation: “Marcus has tremendous ability, but his instincts are what put him above and beyond (everyone else),” coach Curt Bradley says. “He’s very football savvy. He’s only 5 feet, 11 inches, so that kind of limited him. He’s chosen a very good school, though, and I think he’ll have an impact at Stetson.”

Austin Leach
Age: 18

School: Cardinal Mooney

Position: Wide receiver

Prep School: East Coast Prep

Other Options: Florida International University, Georgia Southern and Kent State University

Deciding Factor: “I feel like I need another year of experience to get my name out there to various colleges and see what I can do,” Leach says. “My goal is to play for a Division I school.”

Intended Major: Sports management

Fast Fact: Leach finished the season with nearly 700 receiving yards and eight touchdowns.

Transition game: “I’m just focused on getting bigger, faster, stronger and developing for another year,” Leach says.

Fondest Moment: Winning the district championship. “It was the first time we had made it to the playoffs in a really long time, and it was coach (Josh) Smithers’ first district championship as a head coach.”

Coach’s Evaluation: “Austin’s a big strong blocking receiver, but he’s also got deceptive speed,” Smithers says. “He’s got a long stride, so he doesn’t appear to be running as fast as he is. From what I’ve seen, he’s got the best ball skills. He’s gone up against multiple Division I (defensive) backs, and he’s always competing for the ball.

“He’s a great young man and a hard worker,” Smithers says. “Not every kid can be found, and I think he just needs another season (to get that exposure).”

Demardre Patterson
Age: 17

School: Cardinal Mooney

Position: Running back

Prep School: North Georgia Technical College to play for the North Georgia Sports Academy

College Choice: Kennesaw State University

Other Options: University of Kentucky, Ohio University, USF and Samford, Florida International University and Northern Illinois University

Deciding Factor: “My sister goes there, as well, on a track scholarship, and it’s a new program,” Patterson says. “It’s better for me to play all four years there.”

Intended major: Criminal justice

Fast Fact: Patterson rushed for 1,433 yards and 18 touchdowns this season.

Transition Game: Improving speed and agility, ball control and vision in the backfield

Fondest Moment: Winning the district championship, at Bishop Verot, for the first time since 2006.

Lasting Legacy: “I want people to remember that I was a student-athlete,” Patterson says.

Coach’s Evaluation: “He has excellent speed,” coach Josh Smithers says. “He’s a one-cut back, and that’s something that colleges want. Kennesaw State runs the triple option, so he’s going to get 20 to 25 carries a game. He has been Kennesaw’s No. 1 choice. No matter what the situation was, they stayed with him the whole time, and they’re excited to sign him in January.”

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected]