Two DCHS Tigers have signed to continue their football careers with Lindsey-Wilson College.

Eli Cross and Tayvian Nokes, both seniors, committed to Lindsey-Wilson, located in Columbia, Kentucky, Wednesday. Tiger Head Coach family members, and many members of the Tiger team joined Cross and Nokes in the DCHS fieldhouse for the event.

Trapp said that the two seniors exceled in the classroom as well as on the field.

“We’re fortunate to have a couple of guys, Eli Cross and Tayvian Nokes, who have done well in high school both in the classroom and on the field to have the opportunity to continue to play football,” the coach said, “They have both signed with Lindsey-Wilson College in Kentucky and we’re proud of those guys.”

Trapp said he expects that Nokes, who served the Tigers as both an offensive and defensive lineman, will play on the Defensive line For the Blue Raiders at LWC.

 “For us he was a two way player on the line, but he really excelled in the middle of our defense, especially this past year,” Trapp shared. “He is being looked at more as a defensive lineman with Lindsey.”

Cross, who served as a tackle and defensive end, is being eyed for LWC’s offensive line.

“Eli is going to be looked at more on the offensive side of the ball, and maybe inside as a guard or maybe as a tackle,” Trapp shared.

Nokes was the winner of the 2016 Best Defensive Lineman award for DeKalb, and was named Most Outstanding Defensive Lineman in Region 4 AAA. Cross was named the Best Offensive Lineman, and was chosen for the 1st Team All Region.

“Although they will be representing a new color and logo at Lindsey-Wilson College, they will always represent DCHS black and gold and Tiger Pride wherever they go,” Trapp concluded.

Nokes said that that he was looking forward to playing for LWC.

“Lindsey-Wilson is a great school academically, and their football program is usually top-ten in their conference and division every year,” Nokes said at the signing. “I am really excited to be playing college football, and especially to be playing for their team.”

Nokes also said his family and his coaches were the driving force in his development.

“I would like to thank my mom and dad,” said Nokes. “My father coached me all the way until high school, basically. I was a quarterback in junior pro and defensive lineman. At the high school, Coach Trapp, Coach (Michael) Shaw, and Coach Clarence (Trapp) pushed me to be a better player, and to get better every single day. I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for them. Last but not least is God. I definitely couldn’t be here without Him and the gifts He has given me.”

Cross said he was impressed by the school as well.

“From the time I visited them I really thought I would be a good fit there,” Cross said. “I’m majoring in business, and they have a really good business program. They are on the rise right now. They have only had a (football) program for like seven years, but they went 11-1 last year. I love the coaching staff and I am really impressed with what they have been able to accomplish so far. I think we have a shot at winning a national championship with them.

Cross also said that he owed a lot to his family and coaches.

“I would like to thank my entire family,” he continued. “They have been a blessing my whole life. They have pushed me to be the greatest I can be. I definitely want to thank Coach Trapp. Honestly you can’t ask for a better coach than him. Coach Shaw is a great defensive coordinator. Coach Clarence has been my line coach ever since I’ve been in high school. He has been a great influence on me. But without God I couldn’t have done anything,” Cross concluded.

Lindsey Wilson College is a four-year liberal-arts college affiliated with the Kentucky Conference of The United Methodist Church. It is classified as a Baccalaureate College-Liberal Arts by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. LWC offers baccalaureate, masters and doctoral degrees and is a SACS COC Level V institution.