Thomas Craig signs to play football at Emory & Henry

Jim Cunningham
Thomas Craig signs a letter-of-intent to play football at Emory & Henry College. Also seated are his parents, David and Delores Craig. Standing, from left: Joey Russell, GW assistant football coach; Donnie Pruitt, GW head football coach; Rusty Beamer, GW athletic director; and Richard Skeens Jr., GW principal.

By JIM CUNNINGHAM/Staff

Thomas Craig, a senior at George Wythe High School, signed a letter-of-intent to play football at Emory & Henry College during a ceremony held Wednesday at GWHS.
Craig played for two years on the GW varsity football team, mostly on the defensive line. He played tackle and end, and also played on the offensive line.
He said he expects to play a similar position at E&H.
“I’m really, really excited about going to Emory & Henry,” he said. The college is very familiar to Craig because his sister went there and also his parents. “That’s where they met,” he said. His father played basketball for the E&H team.
Craig said he likes the campus at E&H, and he also appreciates it because it’s not too far from home. “It’s a big step in my life.”
GW Head Football Coach Donnie Pruitt noted that the team voted Craig the most outstanding defensive lineman. Pruitt said Craig should do well at E&H. “He’s made himself into a football player,” he said.
At the conclusion of the football season, Craig received several honors, which included: All-Hogoheegee District first team, All-Region C first team, All-Southwest Region second team, All-State (Associated Press) second team and VHSCA All-State first team.