By Ken Jackson
Sports Writer

Two of Gateway’s best players will continue their gridiron careers in college.

Receiver Richard Simpson and two-way lineman Randy Deseme signed recently to Hiram (Ohio) College and Southern Carolina Prep, respectively.

Simpson played just two seasons, his junior year at St. Cloud and his senior year at Gateway, where he became the focal point of the offense.

He rushed for 457 yards and six touchdowns and was the leading receiver with 20 catches, 291 yards and two TDs. He also played quarterback in Coach Marlin Roberts’ spread-option offense.

“He was most of our offense; without him we’d have been in trouble,” Roberts said. “We were just about a brand-new program last year and he came to us at the right time.”

Simpson discovered the Hiram Terrier program during the annual recruiting fair in Lake Wales and toured the school near Cleveland, where he has an uncle, soon after.

“I liked the school and I’m focused on grades and getting an education. They have a program for what I want to major in,” Simpson, who plans to study social psychology, said.

He said that the school plans to use him at multiple skill positions.

“I prefer playing receiver, but they said they’ll possibly put some of the Wildcat stuff in,” he said. “They liked my speed and my hands.”

Roberts said the 6-1, 180-pound Simpson has the physical tools to be a weapon in the Division III college game right away.

“Everything on the field’s going to be at a faster pace, but being on his own is going to be the difference in itself,” Roberts said.

Hiram, a member of the North Coast Atlantic Conference, was 0-10 last year, but has a new head coach in Randy Moore, the former Otterbein College defensive coordinator.

Deseme, a tackle for the Panthers, also played just two seasons and his junior year was marred by injuries. But he started every game at right tackle for Gateway last year, using his 6-4, 275-pound frame.

“When I first saw him, I had to work to get him out there to play,” Roberts said. “He’s still raw, but his size gives him potential. He has to realize how good he can be, but he’s strong as on ox and can move well for a big guy.”

Deseme, who had an offer from Florida Atlantic before that school backed off, said that the school in Charlotte was looking for linemen and called at the right time.

“A coach from the school contacted Coach Roberts seeing if he had any unsigned linemen,” he said. “They liked my footwork, and said that I might get a couple of reps on defense. I’ll play whatever they need me for the most.”

Roberts said Deseme may progress and play only one year for Southern Carolina.

“It’s all up to him,” he said. “We hope the right people come see him and he gets picked up somewhere.”

One good thing for Deseme is that he’ll be familiar with the school’s nickname: the Panthers. The coach is Sherman Houze.