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Thanks to a solid academic record and a strong right leg, Kyle Williams could have chosen to go just about anywhere after graduating from Pearl High School. Williams, heavily recruited by ���Ĺ���ý coaches, decided to join the Eagles instead.

That decision paid off as Williams, who is transferring to Mississippi State University in the summer to play football, earned all-American status as a kicker for the Eagles in 2011.

“Last year was fun because we made it to the playoffs and helped restore some of the tradition that Coach (Gene) Murphy built at ���Ĺ���ý,” he said.

Williams was named to the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) All-American Honorable Mention team.  He led ���Ĺ���ý in scoring with 70 total points, finishing the season 40-44 on point-after attempts and 10-17 on field goals, including a season-long 45-yarder against East Mississippi Community College in the final game of the season.

Williams was named to the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) All-Region team in 2011 and was named to the All-State second team as a freshman in 2010.

Williams continued his academic success at ���Ĺ���ý as well.

He was among several ���Ĺ���ý students named “Who’s Who Among Students in American Community and Junior Colleges.” Sophomores are named to this program because of their achievements in academics and leadership qualities shown throughout their two years in community college.

“My time at ���Ĺ���ý helped me decide that I want to major in kinesiology because I wasn’t sure right out of high school,” Williams said.

Williams is the sixth ���Ĺ���ý kicker to be named all-American since 1987. Mike Berry (‘88) kicked for Mississippi College. Jaret Homes (’95) continued his career at Auburn University and played in the National Football League. Scott Westerfield (’97) was a named All-Southeastern Conference in 1999 and 2000 at Mississippi State University. Neal Thomas (’99) left Raymond for Tuscaloosa, Ala., and the University of Alabama. Trey Crum (2000) stayed in-state to kick at Delta State University.