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CJ Sands and Qua Moss formed a formidable defensive back partnership for the Troup Tigers and on Friday got to share a signing day together as they made their commitments to the next level be known.

Sands has been an instrumental part of the defense during his time at Troup and stepped up as a leader on the backend. Sands finished with 21 tackles and an interception despite missing some time during his senior year. 

Sands will be heading to Georgia Military College to play football in the fall.

“It’s close to home, so I can come back if there’s an emergency, and my family can come and see me play,” Sands said.

He is looking forward to being close enough to home for his family to come see him play before hopefully making a step up to a bigger school after he spends some time in Milledgeville. 

“I like that I can go there and get my grades up and get some film,” Sands said. “I want to work and get better, so I can transfer to a bigger school.”

Moss was everywhere for the Tigers in his senior season and was named the region 4-AAAA athlete of the year. That is exactly what Dodge City Community College recruited him as an athlete. 

“They recruited me as an athlete to play both sides,” Moss said. “Really, I want to play cornerback, but I’m open to whatever.”

He made plays everywhere for the Tigers, recording 29 tackles and an interception on defense while also being a big part of the special teams as a return man. His biggest impact might have come on offense where he registered 53 catches for 892 receiving yards and 11 receiving touchdowns while also accumulating 99 yards and a touchdown on the ground.

His gaudy stats were hard for Dodge City to pass up, and Moss is looking forward to his time in Kansas.

“My plan was to get away from home, so I can focus,” Moss said. “Dodge City is one of the top JUCOs in the nation. They put out a lot of guys that go to power 5 schools, which is my plan.”

As Troup athletic director Andrew Calhoun said, “this does not get old.”

Seeing athletes fulfill their dreams and play college football and pursue further academics is what Calhoun and head football coach Tanner Glisson want to see.

Glisson took the time to note how these two young men have matured during their time at Troup. 

“I’m really really proud of the growth these guys have shown,” Glisson said. “These two young men don’t talk much… They aren’t big talkers on the field, but they are great players on the field.”

There were times when they struggled with their grades, but both are heading to JUCOs as academic qualifiers which means their grades are good enough that they can transfer after one semester if bigger opportunities arrive. Non-academic qualifiers have to spend at least 18 months at a JUCO.

“The bottom line is this, anytime you can get money and get your education paid for and go do something you love doing, that is a win-win,” Glisson said. “That’s our goal here at Troup High School.”