Gray, Clark Sign with Lindsey Wilson

J.D. Gray and Dylan Clark sign with Lindsey Wilson to play football. Pictured are (from left) Clark’s parents, Alicia and Vince Clark; Clark; Gray; Gray’s mother, Rhonda Gray; Gray’s grandmother, Dorris Belcher; and (back) Al Starnes, head football coach. Clark is projected as a linebacker and Gray a receiver.

ROCKETS JOIN BLUE RAIDERS
Two of Crittenden County’s most decorated football players have signed collegiate letters of intent to play football at Lindsey Wilson College in Columbia, Ky.

J.D. Gray and Dylan Clark, both of whom will graduate this spring, have agreed to become part of football history at the four-year liberal arts college in central Kentucky. Linsdey Wilson is resurrecting its football program, which has been dormant since 1935.

Gray and Clark led Crittenden County to the Class A state semifinals in 2008 and the state quarterfinals in 2009. Their football achievements are among the most respected in school history as testified by their numerous entries in the Rocket Football Record Book.

The two former Rockets signed with Lindsey Wilson during a ceremony at Crittenden County High School last week.

Gray is projected as a receiver at Lindsey Wilson while Clark is expected to play linebacker.

Chris Oliver, a five-year assistant coach at Ohio Dominican University, is the Blue Raiders first coach of the new football era.

Gray and Clark said the opportunity to play on the first team as football is brought back to Lindsey Wilson made their choice an exciting one.

Lindsey Wilson will compete in the NAIA as a member of the Mid-South Conference.

Gray was a three-year starter at quarterback for the Rockets and Clark was a three-year starter at defensive end. Both played other positions, but those are where they became best know.

"I am very proud of those two," said Rocket football coach Al Starnes. "They both have worked very hard to achieve something they really wanted and this is to play at the next level."
Starnes said it is the first time in many years that Crittenden County has had two athletes sign to play collegiate football in the same year.

Gray and Clark are both multiple year selections to the All-Western Kentucky Conference Team.

Here are few of their individual football highlights at Crittenden County.

J.D. GRAY
- Career record holder in points scored (306).
- Career touchdowns leader (48).
- Career rushing yards by a quarterback (3,222).
- Career rushing touchdowns leader (40).
- 3rd career rushing yards (3,222).
- Tied career punt returns for touchdown (3).
- Tied career kickoff returns for touchdowns in a season (2).

DYLAN CLARK
- 2nd in career tackles by a defensive lineman (235 tackles).
- 10th in career tackles.
- 2nd in career tackles for loss (35).
- School record holder for tackles for loss in a season (20 in 2009).
- Tied for 2nd in career sacks with 10.
- Tied for 3rd in career fumble recoveries with 6.