Varsity football teammates and friends Anthony Carson and Reece Schlabach will graduate from Polk County High School this spring, but their paths will continue together as both have signed their intent to play football at Mars Hill University, where both received scholarships.

“We’ve always talked about it (playing football together),” Carson said after his part of the Wednesday, Feb. 26 dual signing.

“It’s awesome,” Schlabach said, adding that he and Carson are happy to be making “the journey with us two, not by ourselves.”

After the 2013 football season, both players were named to the All Western Highlands Conference and All-Western North Carolina teams. The two excelled on both offense and defense, with Schlabach completing many passes to Carson. Carson was known unofficially for his YAC (yards after the catch) yardage – for his ability to evade tacklers after catching Schlabach’s passes. Each was one of four Wolverine co-captains under coach Bruce Ollis.

Carson said from what the Mars Hill coaching staff told him, he’ll likely continue as a receiver. Schlabach does not know what position he’ll fill, but said he prefers defense. The injury he suffered at Reidsville in the final game of the 2013 season, is healed and he is stronger, Schlabach said.

They had visited the college together and said they were both impressed with the campus and the football team.

The two young men are also excited to re-join recent PCHS star Marquise Cunningham, who will still be playing football for the Mountain Lions.

How does it feel to make the decision, and get on with other things?

“Oh, it’s a relief,” Carson said.

Before Schlabach made his decision, he said, “I was stressing.”

Both Schlabach and Carson plan to study business management at Mars Hill.