Former Ringgold players excelling at next level

Freshman tight end Drake Starks has been outstanding for the LenoirRhyne football team this season and helped them to an appearance in the postseason.

The Bears defeated Florida Tech in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Division II Playoffs after going undefeated in the South Atlantic Conference and winning the regular season championship for the first time since 2014.

LR won for the 500th time in program history in the 43-21 win over Florida Tech. It was their 11th straight victory after a season-opening loss and they advanced to the second round of the playoffs for just the third time in program history.

Starks, a former Ringgold Tiger, was named second team ALL-SAC in his rookie season. For the year, he has 12 catches for 179 yards and five touchdowns, including a 13-yard TD reception in the first round of the playoffs. Starks has also been vital to the running game as one of the best run blockers on the offensive line.

LR’S offense ranks seventh in the nation, averaging 44.3 points per game. The LR rushing attack is fourth in DII at 287.9 yards per game.

Another Ringgold alum, Hunter Sosebee, was recently named to the Ohio Valley Conference second team as an offensive lineman.

Sosebee, played two seasons at Old Dominion before leaving for Jacksonville State, where he just finished up a redshirt junior season, his first for the Gamecocks.

JSU finished the regular season ranked No. 8 in the FCS and earned a berth in the national playoffs.