Culpepper, Prewitt sign with MCC soccer
By By Jeff Byrd / sports editor
Feb. 20, 2003
The Wednesday signing of Clarkdale's Justin Culpepper and David Prewitt wrapped up the local recruiting efforts for second-year Meridian Community College head soccer coach Alex George.
Culpepper and Prewitt signed their National Letters of Intent at the Damon Fitness Center.
George was elated to get the pair to sign with MCC. He can now spend next week on signing players on both the Gulf Coast and in the Jackson area.
It's been the skill level of players like Culpepper and Prewitt who have turned the Clarkdale soccer program into a state-level power. George has seen the program's rise first-hand after coaching the past several seasons at rival West Lauderdale.
Clarkdale went 16-2 this past season and advanced to the South State 1A-2A-3A finals for the second straight year.
Prewitt was one of the area's top centers and has led the Bulldogs in scoring the last two years. This year, he scored 21 goals and had 10 assists for Coach Mark Taylor's team.
Prewitt was a standout place-kicker on the Clarkdale football team this past fall. He weighed some offers to kick at the collegiate level, but instead chose to stay home and play soccer.
Prewitt is the son of Lee Prewitt and Vanessa Jacobs of the Clarkdale community. He is undecided about a major.
Culpepper is coming off a devastating knee injury suffered in Clarkdale's dramatic 2-1 overtime win over Mercy Cross in the second round of the playoffs at Biloxi.
The injury did not scare off George.
Culpepper is grateful for the chance but he expects to be back to normal by the fall.
Culpepper was tackled from behind at mid-field during the first half of the Mercy Cross game. He tore both the ACL and MCL ligaments. Surgery, though, was a success and he has begun re-hab treatment.
Culpepper said he was thankful to play on such a good team while at Clarkdale.
The fact that Prewitt will be joining him at MCC, makes the deal that much better.
Culpepper, who played quarterback on Clarkdale's Division 5-2A title winning title, says he will pursue a major in public relations.
