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Two Sharks Swim To Bigger Waters

Tribune photo by JOHN CEBALLOS

Riverview High School's Devin Ray Jr., left, and Shannon Burch Jr. sign their letters of intent as friends and family look on. Ray is committed to North Carolina A&T, while Burch is committed to Cheney University.

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By JOHN CEBALLOS

jceballos@tampatrib.com

Published: February 11, 2009

RIVERVIEW - Senior linebackers Shannon Burch Jr. and Devin Ray Jr. spent their high school careers playing alongside each other.

So it was fitting the two would be seated next to each other as they completed their letters of intent Feb. 4 for National Signing Day at Riverview High School.

Burch committed to Pennsylvania's Cheney University and plans to study sports medicine and physical therapy.

"The thing that drew me to that school was that during my campus visit, God came first, then academics, which was really impressive to me because I was there to maybe play football for them," Burch said. "Football was the last thing that came up."

Riverview coach Bruce Gifford is impressed by Burch's leadership and resilience, even after suffering a knee injury last year.

"He really worked hard all summer and came back really strong for us in the fall," Gifford said.

Ray is committed to play football for North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and will study civil or aeronautical engineering.

"During my campus visit, I got a lot of love from the coaching staff, and the students, and everyone seemed very sincere," Ray said. "I chose them because I tried to imagine which school I'd choose if I wasn't going to play football. I thought that was important since it's going to be my home for the next four years."

Ray follows in the footsteps of his father, who also played high school football in the area and went on to a collegiate career.

"He's playing for all my rival schools," said Devin Ray Sr. "I played football for East Bay High School, and he went to Riverview. And I played college ball for FAMU Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University and he's going to NCA&T, which was one of our rivals.

"I think there are going to be some arguments in our house," he joked.

Burch and Ray signed their letters of intent at 9 a.m., surrounded by friends and family who celebrated by snacking on sandwiches and pastries and taking pictures of the future college football players.

"They're both team captains, and they're both absolutely as good as it gets on and off the field," Gifford said. "We're going to miss both of them."

Reporter John Ceballos can be reached at (813) 865-1555.

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