Pearl River football sends eight Wildcats to next level

POPLARVILLE – Pearl River’s football fieldhouse was bustling Wednesday as eight Wildcats signed with four-year schools during the first day of the early signing period.

Tight end Donavon Hickman (Union) signed with Louisiana-Monroe; linebacker Cory Jackson (Jackson; Madison-Ridgeland Academy) signed with Old Dominion; defensive lineman Gi’Narious Johnson (Gulfport) signed with South Alabama; offensive lineman Donald Kinchen (Oak Grove) signed with Mississippi College; defensive linemen Jaeden Ridgeway (Pascagoula) and Josh Smith (New Orleans; Landry Walker) signed with Southeastern Louisiana; offensive lineman Ivory Scott (Kenner, La.; Bonnabel) signed with Arkansas State; and running back Ron Thompson (Bassfield) signed with North Alabama. Several more Wildcats are expected to join their teammates and sign at the next level.