MAYO, Fla. — They took different paths to reach signing day. One was a standout on the gridiron beginning as an underclassmen while the other just took up football as a senior. 

But Lafayette’s Ben Massey and Richy James both accomplished their goal of making it to the next level. Massey, with Division II Albany State (Georgia), and James, with NAIA Thomas More (Kentucky), signed letters of intent on Wednesday at LHS. 

“Ben is a four-year starter, has been with the program since seventh grade. Richy is a first-year player. He really blossomed,” said Hornets coach Joey Pearson. “Both of these guys have been good team players, worked hard. I think they are both talented enough to play at the next level and I hope they take advantage of this opportunity.”

For Massey, who finished his high school career with 1,986 receiving yards, 37 total touchdowns and eight interceptions, signing day was something he had envisioned for a long time.

“I’ve been thinking about what this moment would feel like ever since I hit varsity,” said Massey.  “I couldn’t sleep last night. I’m blessed.”

James and Massey both had multiple offers from colleges. There were plenty of factors that went into their decisions.

Massey liked the location, size, academics and the football program at Albany State. 

“It’s not too small, not too big. I feel like as soon as I get there I have a chance to get a starting position,” Massey said. “I want to major in criminal justice and they have one of the top criminal justice fields in the nation.”

James, a 6-foot-2 receiver, made a splash in his lone season of high school football. He hauled in 35 passes, averaging 18.5 yards per reception. James had six touchdown catches. 

It took him a little while to grow accustomed to playing football, but his athletic ability and basketball background helped in the process. James started thinking about college football after some good results early in the season. 

“The further we got into the season, the more I started realizing that this was an actual opportunity,” James said of playing in college. “I’m glad that God’s given me this opportunity.”

After living in Mayo the past five years, James will attend college in his home state of Kentucky at Thomas More.  

“I don’t get to see my outside family that much, so it will be good,” James said. “It’s about two and a half hours from where I used to live.

“It is a great fit overall, athletically and academically.”