Charger football players Skylan Smith, Gage Ward, Oscar Brock sign scholarships

Covington enjoyed another stellar football season in 2024 and college recruiters noticed.

Three of the key seniors on that team – Skylan Smith, Gage Ward and Oscar Brock – signed scholarships last week.

Smith, who won Mr. Football after last season, signed with Bethel University. He rushed for 1,838 yards and 36 scores on 166 carries (11.1 yards per carry) in 2024 a year after putting up similar numbers as a Mr. Football finalist. Smith is also Covington’s career leader in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns and was the main reason the Chargers set a program-high mark in 2024 for points scored in a season.

Ward, a defensive leader at outside linebacker and defensive end, will join Smith at Bethel. Brock, also a linebacker, signed with Rhodes College in Memphis.

When the three signed that made 34 Chargers since 2017 to be offered football scholarships. Twelve of those signed.

Head coach J.R. Kirby said he was “incredibly proud” to have three members of the class of 2025 to sign and praised their hard work on and off the field.

“This accomplishment speaks volumes about the culture of excellence we are building here at Covington High,” Kirby said. “It challenges the narrative that we don’t do enough to get our student athletes to the next level. These young men have put in the effort, and it is paying off in a big way. We are showing that Covington High School not only produces great athletes but also great people who are ready to succeed both on the field and in the classroom. I couldn’t be more excited for Skylan, Gage and Oscar as they take this next step in their academic and athletic journeys. Congratulations to them, their families, and everyone who has supported them along the way. This is just the beginning, and I look forward to seeing even more of our players continue to achieve great things in the future.”