Two Walton County Players Sign with Mercer

For the first time in more than 70 years, Mercer University will be fielding a football team in 2013 - and there will be two Walton County football players there to help make history.

offensive linesman Avery White and placekicker and punter Tyler Zielenske signed on the dotted line Feb. 1 to join the Mercer Bears when they return to the gridiron.

“The one thing you will have that nobody else can say is you will take the field undefeated,” Tommy Stringer athletic director Tommy Stringer said to White at the signing ceremony at LHS Wednesday. According to the Mercer University football website, Mercer University last fielded a football team in 1941.

Work is currently under way on a brand new football stadium for the Mercer Bears when they begin the new program. The team will practice for a year before taking to the field for the 2013 intercollegiate football season. Mercer last fielded an intercollegiate football team in 1941. Georgia native Bobby Lamb will head up the program’s coaching staff.