Dischler among Orangefield athletes that signed scholarships

Three outstanding student athletes at Orangefield High School signed scholarships on Wednesday, March 22, to play their sports on the college level. Mackenzie Haley will play volleyball at Centenary College in Shreveport, Louisiana, Morgan Sampson signed with Lamar University to play football in Beaumont, and Cameron Dischler will be going to Angelo State University in San Angelo, Texas to play football. Dischler received more great news on Monday, March 27, when he was named a finalist for the Willie Ray Smith Award on offense.

Dischler was outstanding his junior year as a Bobcat, but far exceeded that this past season as a senior. Cameron led the area in rushing with over 2400 yards to become the all-time leading rusher in Orangefield school history with more than 4,000 yards.

Coach Josh Smalley recognized Dischler's work ethic and character. "Those are the things that matter most. Cameron's not a guy you have to worry about cutting reps in the weight room. He's the only guy in twenty some years of my coaching that when we watch film on Saturday ever voluntarily brought in a notebook and took notes to learn from it," Smalley pointed out.

Haley was a leader for this year's Lady Bobcat volleyball team at Orangefield. Her coach Ashlee Peevey praised Mackenzie's work ethic and explained how other Orangefield coaches wanted Haley on their teams too except the senior was geared only to playing volleyball her last year as a Bobcat.

Peevey described Haley's dedication and commitment. "I just knew if she got the opportunity to play at another level that her coach would not regret that Mackenzie was on their team. We know Centenary is getting a gem of a human being. Mackenzie's the type of kid that I want my younger kids to look at in the classroom, on the court, and off the court with her tenacity, her willingness to work, to show up, and put in the hours that no one else wants to do. It was exactly what I wanted from those that wear the orange and white," Peevey explained.

As Orangefield Athletic Director and head football coach Smalley had both Sampson and Dischler on his Bobcat football team the last two seasons as starters and major contributors. In addition Morgan and Cameron were leaders for the Orangefield boys basketball team that advanced to the third round of the state playoffs this past season before losing to the eventual state champions.

Smalley mentioned that Sampson sustained a knee injury during football season, but instead of sitting out the rest of the games and getting ready for basketball and baseball which he plays, Morgan took a couple weeks off and came back to help Orangefield win the district championship playing offense and defense.

Smalley reminded, "Morgan does a lot of stuff for us besides football. We're excited about him going to Lamar. We know he's going to do great things and is going to be close to home. We're proud of Morgan."

Haley, Sampson, and Dischler signed their scholarships on the court of the Orangefield Gymnasium. Family, friends, and students attended the ceremony to congratulate the three students' achievements.