By Mark Schmerling

 

 

Three of Polk County High School’s finest athletes will be competing on the college level, at three different institutions, after signing their intentions to do so, last Friday, May 1.

 

D.J. Twitty and Jordan Smith will trade their Wolverine football uniforms for those of Methodist University and Brevard College, respectively, while Samantha Firby will play soccer for Division I Gardner-Webb University.

 

Smith said he began playing youth football at age seven, and was not enthusiastic, but his mom, Melissa, insisted he stay with it. “It got easier a little bit after that,” noted Smith, who, last year led the Wolverines in tackles, was both a steady and spectacular ball carrier, and who seemed to resist serious injury.

 

In his junior year, he began thinking about possibly playing in college. Now that he will be, “It’s like a huge weight’s been lifted,” he said.

 

Smith, also a fine sprinter on the Wolverines’ track team, plans to major in exercise science or engineering.

 

Remembering his time at Polk County High School, he noted with pride, “I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. It’s been home.”

 

Smith’s parents, Jeremy and Melissa were at his signing, along with sister Chastin and brother Payten.

 

Twitty, son of Darius and Mary Jo Twitty, began playing football when he was six or seven. When in eighth or nine grade, he watched an NCAA football game, and told himself, ‘I can definitely do this.’

 

Twitty, a defensive and offensive lineman at Polk, expects to play somewhere on the Monarchs’ offensive line.

 

Always near the ball, Twitty said, “The most important thing is the ball.” He recalled that former Polk coach Bruce Ollis and current coach Jamie Thompson would remind players, “The most important thing about a player, is how far he is from the ball at the end of every play.”

 

Twitty is very excited and looking forward to playing in college.

“I’m waiting for the first day to get here,” he said. At Methodist, Twitty plans to major in physical education or special education.

 

Twitty and Smith each played varsity basketball for the Wolverines.

 

In addition to his parents, Twitty was joined by his sister Marissa and his brother Donivan.

 

Wolverines’ soccer coach Lennox Charles said of Samantha Firby, a four-year varsity player, who led the team in scoring as a freshman and also last year, “She does not get outworked. She’s gotten a lot better technically.” In reference ot Gardner-Webb, he said, “It’s nice to get her there.”

Charles noted that Gardner-Webb will feature talented players from other schools as well, and for Firby, “It’s going to be a challenge,” but he added, “I think she can compete for some playing time right now.”

 

Firby said she began playing soccer when she was four. According to her mom, Helen, “Ever since she could see a ball, she’s been chasing it.”

 

Firby feels very comfortable with Gardner-Webb.

 

“It’s like home there,” she said. “I can get closer to the teachers.” She plans to study exercise science.

 

“I’m nervous, but I’m ready,” Firby remarked. “It’s going to be hard, but I’m ready for the challenge.” At her signing were parents Mike and Helen Firby.

 

“It’s always tough,” Charles noted, on losing a player with the desire of Firby.

“You wonder how you’re going to replace her.”

 

 

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