Warren, Davis sign with Guilford

By Gabe Whisnant
Published in Sports on May 18, 2006 2:08 PM

• Print
• Email

DUDLEY -- After helping lead Southern Wayne's football team to their first ever playoff win in 2005, seniors Joseph Davis and Michael Warren were not quite ready for their football careers to end.

In the fall, the duo -- both two-year starters for the Saints -- will get that chance at the next level as Davis and Warren will compete for Division III Guilford College of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference.

Warren (5-9, 165), a cornerback, and Davis (6-1, 250), a defensive lineman, anticipate playing the same positions for the Quakers and look forward to the challenges of collegiate football.

"I'm excited. I didn't think two years ago that I would have this chance," said Davis, the son of Kenneth and Rhonda Davis. "It has taken a lot of hard work."

Warren, the son of Southern Wayne coach Bob Warren and Debra Warren, liked the coaching staff and overall campus atmosphere at Guilford.

"I liked the campus and coaching staff. They really want you to do well in academics and athletics," he said.

Under first-year coach Kevin Kiesel in 2005, the Quakers (5-5 overall) finished 4-2 in the ODAC and won five of their last six games. The 5-5 finish was Guilford's best since 1997.

Coach Warren, who has seen his fair share of former Saints move on to the next level, believe both players have the talent and the work ethic to be successful college athletes.

"They both exemplify hard work and dedication. They've worked to make football better here each year they participated," he said. "It's evident to those that watched them in the weight room and how hard they worked in the offseason.

"Their weight-training is where it should be or above before going to college. You have to do that to fit the scheme of college football."

Warren and Davis join fellow Wayne County natives and Rosewood graduates -- Danny Langston, Troy Smith and Markas Brunson -- on the Quakers' roster.

Guilford opens the season at home on Sept. 2 against Ferrum (Va.)