J.R. Tidwell/FCT Red Bay senior Matt Belue signed with Northeast Mississippi Community College Wednesday morning. Pictured are (left to right) front row: Scottie Belue, Matt Belue, Melanie Belue; back row: Austin Belue, Red Bay head football coach John Ritter and Courtney Belue.

RED BAY— Fans, coaches and players at Red Bay have probably known this day was coming for a few years now.

Star fullback Matt Belue, who was named as the Franklin County Times football Player and Co-player of the Year over the past two seasons, has signed a full scholarship to play at the next level for Northeast Mississippi Community College in Booneville, Miss.

Matt was a constant standout in the backfield for the Tigers, and every coach that played against him this season had to specifically plug him into the game plan because of his talent and ability in running the ball.

“It feels good to have everything paid for,” Matt Belue said. “I’ve just got to work hard when I get there. I feel very privileged and blessed, and I want to thank my team and everybody that worked hard and helped me to get here.”

Belue is and old-school bruiser style fullback who is equally at home at blocking as he is running the ball.

Now that he has signed with Northeast, everyone will be able to see what he can accomplish at the collegiate level.

“As a coach it feels great to have a kid sign a scholarship,” Red Bay head football coach John Riter said. “This is a testament to Matt and his work ethic. I’m very proud as a coach to see a guy sign a full scholarship.”

“Outside of being a great kid, Matt is a hard worker. He’s going to do what it takes to be successful. He’s got a bright future ahead of him at Northeast, and possibly where he decides to go after that. I think Matt will be playing football for a long time.”

While Coach Ritter has the impossible task of figuring out who will replace Belue for next season, the athlete’s parents must deal with the departure of their son for college, though they know how big of an accomplishment this is.

“It’s hard to let him go, but I can’t tell you how proud I am of him,” said Melanie Belue, Matt’s mother. “All of Matt’s coaches since junior high have been great. He’s played football since he was five or six years old. He always told his dad that he was going to get a scholarship, and he did.”

“It’s awesome. We give credit to God and to Matt. Matt worked hard to get this far.” Scottie Belue, Matt’s father, said.