By Ashley Hargrove
Chris Cain likes to win.
So when it came time for the Athens High senior to choose where to continue his football career, he looked no farther than Florence.
Over the last 20 seasons, UNA has compiled an overall 171-67-1 record, which represents the most wins by any state school. In addition, over the last two decades, the Lions have made 12 NCAA Division II playoff appearances, won six NCAA Regional Championships, six Gulf South Conference Championships — the most recent in 2009 — and three NCAA Division II National Championships. This past year, UNA finished the season with an 11-2 record under first-year head coach Terry Bowden, marking the Lions fifth straight season with 10 wins or more and the team’s fifth straight year in the Division II playoffs.
On Wednesday, Cain signed a national letter of intent to join the Lions and their winning program next season.
“When I went over there, I really enjoyed my visit and the coaches,” Cain said. “It felt like home.”
Cain added that he’s looking forward to the opportunity to play for Bowden.
“It’s kind of special knowing I’ll get to play for a coach like him,” Cain said.
Cain is one of seven freshman signees for the Lions Wednesday. Joining him are Davian Barnett, Damien Simmons and Caleb Carbine of Florence High; Jessie Green of Russellville High and Cameron Ricks of Colbert County High.
In addition, UNA also got eight transfer signees. Those include Ramon Blakeney and Tristan Purifoy of Jones Community College in Mississippi, Demetrius Bryant of Hinds Community College in Mississippi, LaDarius Dawson and Jarrod Jefferson of Coahoma Community College in Mississippi, Daron Rose of ASA Institute of Business and Technology, John Ware of Northeast Mississippi Community College and Tommie Westbrook of Illinois State University.
The three transfers currently enrolled at UNA are Tim Hawthorne from Auburn, Artavious Humphrey from West Hills Community College in California and Darnell Jackson from Pearl River Community College in Mississippi.
The Lions begin spring drills Feb. 22 and have their spring game tentatively set for March 13.
