On National Signing Day, six Mater Dei Prep football players signed letters of intent to play the sport at the collegiate level.
The student-athletes signed their letters in a ceremony at the school in Middletown.
The six players who signed on Feb. 6 were offensive lineman Nolan Aloia, wide receiver Isaiah Alston, linebacker Russell Ferrisi, tight end Christopher Autino, quarterback Rob McCoy and kicker Gavin Toth.
They joined their two Mater Dei teammates, Izaiah Henderson and Shitta Sillah, in announcing plans to play collegiate football. Henderson and Sillah signed with Boston College on National Early Signing Day in December.
“Mater Dei Prep was proud to have eight student-athletes in total commit to prestigious universities between both signing days,” said Charlie Weiss, Mater Dei Prep’s marketing associate, in a press release.
Aloia signed with Fordham University, Alston with the United States Military Academy at West Point, Ferrisi with Long Island University, Autino with Georgetown University, McCoy with Sacred Heart University and Toth with Southern Connecticut State University.
“I am constantly saying that the number one goal of our football program is not to win games. At Mater Dei Prep we mentor our players to be hardworking and respectful individuals,” said Mater Dei football coach Dino Mangiero. “We develop our players to become student-athletes at the best colleges and universities in the country. This year was no exception.”