Soddy-Daisy linebacker Andrew Jenkins plans to sign to play football with Maryville College.
“I’ll sign either Friday or Monday,’’ Jenkins said Thursday. “I’ve just got to chase down coach (E.K.) Slaughter.’’
Slaughter left Soddy-Daisy on Tuesday and took over the head coaching position at Cleveland High School.
Kevin Orr has been chosen the Trojan’s interim coach.
“Andrew Jenkins was the heart and soul of our entire football team,’’ Orr said. “He’s a rock on and off the football field, a great kid with a 4.0 grade-point average who’s never been in trouble of any kind.
“He waited to play until his senior year, working on the scout team until then. He’s just an unbelievable kid, the kind of young man you’d want your daughter to marry.’’
Maryville College sponsors six men’s varsity sports within the direction of the NCAA Division III. Football has been a member of the USA South Athletic Conference since 2005.
Jenkins, 5-11, 220, said he liked the coaches at Maryville, and the engineering opportunity.
“It’s a chance to play more football and to be close to home,’’ Jenkins said. “I’ll play football and work on an engineering degree. Then, after football, I’ll transfer to UTC and get my degree.’’
(E-mail Stan Crawley at wscrawley@earthlink.net)