MICHAEL KIRAL

ESJ’s Brown signs with Alcorn State

PHOTO: EAST ST. JOHN’S BRANDON BROWN signs with Alcorn State Thursday morning. With Brown are, from left, first row: his father, Donald, and his mother, Carolyn; and second row: East St. John head coach Ronnie Stephens and principal Debra Schum. (Staff Photo by Michael Kiral) RESERVE – East St. John’s Brandon Brown became the latest River Parishes to sign a football National Letter of Intent this year, signing with Alcorn State in the East St. John library Thursday morning. The all-District 7-5A cornerback chose Alcorn State over McNeese State, Tulane and Northwestern (La.) State. “I liked everything about it,” Brown said of Alcorn State. “I liked the program. It’s a beautiful campus. I like the way the coaches treated me. They made me feel at home. And it’s convenient, it’s close to home.” Brown was a three-year letter-winner and two-year starter for the Wildcats. He helped East St. John to a second place finish in District 7-5A in 2000 and an appearance in the Class 5A regionals with a 10-2 record. As a senior, Brown intercepted six passes, made 59 tackles, 38 solo, forced one fumble, batted down two passes and had one hurry. He also made all-district his junior year. “I give all the credit to God,” Brown said. “He was the one who made this possible.” Brown also excelled in the classroom, earning Academic All-State honors this season. He is planning to major in computer science in college. “Brandon did everything we asked for him to do as a football player,” East St. John head coach Ronnie Stephens said. “He was a great student as well. He is one of those guys you have to have to get your program to the next level.” East St. John made the playoffs all four years Brown was with the team. “We went through a lot of adversity but through teamwork we got through it,” Brown said. “Coach Stephens kept us together as a family. I think that’s why we have a tradition of winning at East St. John.”