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EDGARD — West St. John defensive tackle Zyron Wilson is mild-mannered and quiet in the classroom, but he’s a monster on the football field. Senior wide receiver Trenton Grow is an energetic all-state athlete; the kind of player Coach Brandon Walters said only comes around once or twice in a coaching career.

Cheers of “HBCU in the building” erupted last week in the West St. John High School gym as Wilson and Grow revealed Grambling State University would be the next stop for both their football careers.

Classmates, coaches and family attended a National Signing Day ceremony where Grow and Wilson put pen to paper and reflected on their high school football journeys.

Grow had more than 1,700 receiving yards during his three years on the West St. John Rams football team. This year, he led his team in receptions with 25 catches and 765 receiving yards.

Walters said his memories of Grow trace back to elementary school.

“He’s a wild, bubbly kid who can’t keep still,” Walters said. “I was able to teach him in fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh grade. The sky is the limit for him. He’s one of those special kids that comes through and you have an opportunity to coach maybe once or twice in your lifetime. Those are the type of kids you know will be special in the future.”

When Grow went on his official visit to Grambling State, he found a second home. He’s eyeing a potential career in business and promises to make a big impact on the field. According to Grow, the community can expect to see a lot of touchdowns from him.

“I liked the environment, and I know they are going to push me there to be the best I can be,” Grow said.

During the Signing Day ceremony, Grow referred to himself as a “tough person to deal with,” which elicited a laugh from the audience. He thanked his coaches, teachers and community for never giving up on him.

“So many people had faith in me, even at times when I did not have faith in myself,” Grow said. “It motivated me to be the best person I can be at all times.”

Zyron Wilson is a four-year ball player at West St. John. This year, he led his team with 78 tackles and 35 tackles for loss. He also led his team in sacks and earned a spot on the prestigious all state team.

“I really feel that education and football have helped me to succeed,” Wilson said. “I appreciate the path that Coach Walters exposed me to, and I gladly accept the position that Grambling State University placed in my football future for the next three to four years.”

Like Grow, Wilson connected with the atmosphere at GSU. He sees it as a place where he can focus on academics and football. In the future, he hopes to become a self-employed, successful entrepreneur. Another option is to become a petroleum engineer.

Wilson said the community can expect a lot of big hits from him on the Bulldogs football field.

“At a competitive level, it will bring the best out of me,” Wilson said.

Walters met Wilson when he came to West St. John as an eighth grader.

“If you can get Zyron to say 20 words consecutively, that’s a lot,” Walters said. “He’s really a quiet kid, but he plays like a maniac on the field. That’s what I’ll remember about Zyron. He’s like a quiet storm. You don’t hear him coming, but when he’s there, you feel it.”

Grow and Wilson have the advantage of being great academic students, Walters said.

“I look forward to both of them having success and doing well in the future,” Walters said.

Principal Claude Hill reminded the boys that this is only the beginning of their story, and they haven’t seen the greenest grass yet.

“It’s not going to be easy. You’re going to be tested,” he said. “You’re going to be challenged. You’re going to be asked to pull from inside of you things that you don’t know are there, but they are.”