The next step
- Updated: May 8, 2019
Weaver’s Allison looking forward to next level; Oxford catcher Spivey celebrates his signing with Southern Union
By Al Muskewitz
East Alabama Sports Today
WEAVER — Caleb Allison was over-the-moon excited when he signed to play football at Bethel University a couple weeks ago, but the enormity of what he had done didn’t hit him until a couple days later.
And it hit him like the fullback he was plowing into the back of his offensive line.
“Once I committed I knew what I was getting into, but from then to now, after everything, the realization of what’s about to happen has finally come,” Allison said. “When you commit to a place in such a quick amount of time you don’t really understand fully what you’re getting into, but now time has passed and focusing on what I’ve actually done I’ve really realized exactly what I’m doing now.
“I’m going to play college football. A lot of people don’t get a chance to do that and it’s just a blessing. No matter what size school you go to it’s really just a blessing to be able to play at that next level.”
The Weaver senior was a late signee who wasn’t sure Bethel’s offer was still available when he called them to check in after a potential appointment to the Air Force Academy didn’t come through.
Bethel remained committed to him throughout, which impressed him even more. He is expected to be an H-back in the Wildcats’ offense.
Allison came to the celebration wearing a purple tie and a “BU” ball cap he borrowed from the brother of former Weaver teammate Riley Benavides, who signed with Bethel last year.
He is following Benavides in another way, too. Allison was selected to play in the North-South All-Star Game, but, unlike his former and future teammate, he’ll get to play in the game. Benavides had to miss it because Bethel opened camp the same week as the game. This year, Bethel moved camp back a week.
“He says every time he thinks about it he wishes he was able to play in that,” Allison said.
Later today, Oxford baseball catcher Jake Spivey will be celebrating his signing with Southern Union. Tomorrow, Donoho pitcher Hall Billings will be celebrating his signing with Huntingdon.
Spivey transferred from White Plains to Oxford, where his mother and father both graduated, and flourished. He played football and baseball for the Yellow Jackets. On the diamond, he hit six homers playing in a bigger ballpark, expanded his catching skills, was the MVP of the Calhoun Tournament and got to experience the playoffs – in both sports – for the first time in his career.
In his last high school win he went 2-for-3 with two triples. Now it’s on to Southern Union.
“This is a great opportunity just to get to play at the next level,” he said. “I want to keep playing baseball as longas I can and I think this is a good place to … get better at everything. I’m hoping I can go down there and continue to improve. I’m hoping this is a stepping stone to get to the next level.”
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