HOMERVILLE — Clinch County coach Jim Dickerson stood in the school library, cup of coffee in hand, watching his football players take dozens of photos with friends and family.

The longtime Panthers coach reflected on past signing days, trying to recall a time in his 13 seasons that the program had as many sign national letters of intent on national signing day as it did Wednesday morning.

“I don’t know that we’ve ever had seven sign in the same year, certainly not on signing day,” Dickerson said.

Zebulon Johnson, Machari Bighams, Jervonta Johnson, Octavius Morris, Jerrod Jones, Colten Manac and Ashton Manac — call them Clinch’s Magnificent Seven.

Johnson, Colten Manac and Ashton Manac signed with College of the Canyons in Santa Clarita, California. Jervonta Johnson, Bighams and Jones signed with Independence Community College in Independence, Kansas. Morris signed with Northeast Oklahoma A&M College in Miami, Oklahoma.

All seven will continue chasing their football dreams out West. But moving so far away from home certainly wasn’t an easy choice.

“It’s hard. We’re going to do it though, trying to make something of our lives,” Jones said. “I’m separating from some of my other brothers. It’s an emotional moment. I’m happy for them though.”

There is plenty of upside to their collegiate adventures.

“This is potentially saving parents hundreds of thousands of dollars combined,” Dickerson said. “And it’s a chance for them to continue their passion, which is football.

“It just makes all us coaches proud that they have a chance. They have to make the most of it, play football and make the grades and hopefully one day all seven of these kids are going to wind up at four-year universities.”

Bighams said he’ll miss everything football-related at Clinch, especially the fun he had playing alongside the underclassmen. His decision went through a lot of family discussion and some deep thought before reaching a conclusion.

“Thoughts, prayers, praying on it. Following my heart, looking for the best decision, knowing it was the best decision,” Bighams said.

With decisions made, Dickerson hopes his seven seniors take the values learned at Clinch with them to college and beyond.

“At the end of the day, our jobs aren’t as football coaches, but mentors of young men,” the coach said. “We’re excited for them. We just remind them that their football career in high school, that book closed. But another book is going to open up for them and we just want to see them do well.”