By Christopher Duclos

While high school football seniors all over the nation made their college decision Ballard high sent of its own share of football talent on National Signing day. BHS held a signing on Wednesday morning to honor the athletes that will take their skills to the next level.

Central Washington University was able to woo wide receiver Nate Rauda to Ellensburg on full scholarship, however two of his teammates will be going out of state to junior colleges for football. A common road for football talent, playing in the junior college ranks allows for players to take two years to play football and attend school before moving onto more prominent Universities.

Justin Simon was the first to sign his letter of intent. Simon will attend Pima Community College, an American two-year institution of higher education in Pima County, Ariz. serving the Tucson metropolitan area. Their mascot is the Aztec.

“I’m just proud of my choice to go to Pima College. I’m going to go down there in the sun and play good football,” Simon said of his decision.

Simon played linebacker for the beavers. He finished his senior season with 55 tackles (30 solo, 25 assist) and 3 sacks. When the season ended, Simon ranked 15th in the league in tackles for loss.

“He’s a great football player. He plays football the way I envision it. He plays Coach Thomas football -- real hard-nosed, tough guy, and just nasty. He doesn’t have a problem with hitting you in the mouth. That’s the brand of football that I like to see in my players,” BHS football Head Coach Joey Thomas said.

The last player that signed Wednesday morning was senior running back Dominique Smith. Shortly before the morning signing party, Smith had a choice between three different junior colleges. Eventually, Smith chose Victor Valley College in southeast Victorville, Calif. Victor Valley’s mascot is the Ram.

After transferring from Franklin High School, Dominique played his senior year for the Beavers. When the season started, Dominique’s role on the Ballard offense was a secondary slot back with tailback Dominic King splitting carries. This mixture of size and speed between the two backs would have been a hassle for opposing run defenses to handle. However, Dominic King went down on the first game of the season with a leg injury, making Dominique BHS’s primary back.

Dominique recently let BNT interview him on his journey and college decisions.

“Dynamic player, I’ve never ever seen anyone like him. Wherever he chooses to go after completing junior college, he’s going to do great things. I’m just looking to see where he lands. He has that certain ‘wow’ factor to him that just says ‘wow! Let’s watch!’” Coach Thomas offered on Dominique.

Christopher Duclos is the sports writer for BNT you can follow him on twitter @thechrisduclos

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