photo by Joe Crine

BEARCATS SENIOR FREE SAFETY Justin Harris prepares to sign his national football letter of intent with the Albany State University Golden Rams Thursday as family, friends, coaches and school administrators observe. From the left, standing, are Harris’ sister, Bria Harris; his grandmother, Marilyn Melton; BHS guidance counselor Barbara Murrah; the Rev. Adrian Bivins, his first coach at the Bainbridge-Decatur County YMCA; his grandmother, Helen Sanders; his grandfather, J.C. Sanders; his aunt, Darlene Melton; his mother, Candi Harris; BHS principal Tommie Howell; his cousin, Ryan Harris, and Bearcats head football coach Ed Pilcher.

Harris inks with Albany State Golden Rams

By Joe Crine (Contact) | Post-Searchlight

Published Friday, February 5, 2010

Bainbridge High School Bearcats senior free safety Justin Harris joined senior wide receiver teammate James Hudson Thursday morning in signing national football letters of intent with the Albany State University Golden Rams.

Observing as he inked his letter in the BHS cafeteria were his mother, Candi Harris; his sister, Bria Harris; his grandmothers, Marilyn Melton and Helen Sanders; his aunt, Darlene Melton; his grandfather, J.C. Sanders; his cousin, Ryan Harris; the Rev. Adrian Bivins, his first coach at the Bainbridge-Decatur County YMCA; Bearcats head football coach Ed Pilcher, BHS principal Tommie Howell and BHS guidance counselor Barbara Murrah.

Coach Pilcher says Harris, who, like Hudson, is an exceptional athlete has been a strong asset to the football program.

“I’m just tickled to death that James and Justin will be able to continue their education and football careers at the next level,” Pilcher said. “That is what it is all about.”

Harris, a starting guard on coach Rickey McCullough’s Bearcats basketball team, was All-Region 1AAAA in football.

For the season, Harris, a second-team All-Region 1AAAA selection, tied for first in the Region in interceptions with four and had six pass breakups, 48 tackles and five tackles for loss.