Lakeland football teammates Craig Woodus and Cedric Johnson officially became rivals this week by accepting scholarships from MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) rivals Delaware State and Hampton.

Both were first-team All-Southeastern District players this past season as the Cavaliers had their first winning season, at 6-4, since the 2001 season.

Woodus, who signed with Delaware St., was a standout and all-district player on the line on both sides of the ball. He’s expecting to be a defensive end for the Hornets.

Johnson, who starred at running back, linebacker and as a kick returner for the Cavaliers, will be a running back for the Pirates.

“It’s exciting, to know now about my next four years, to know I’m going to a place where I’ll get a good education and maybe even follow the dream of playing in the NFL from there,” Woodus said.

The rivalry between the Hornets and Pirates is already in play as Woodus and Johnson were recognized Friday morning during a signing ceremony in Lakeland’s library.

“Me and Cedric are going back and forth about it,” said Woodus. “He says he’s going to run over me and I say it’s not going to be like that, I won’t be blocking for you anymore.”

“I’m very excited. I’m the first person in my family to go to college,” Johnson said.

“It was a lot of pressure. I didn’t know where I was going and I wasn’t sure if my grades would work out, but now it’s over and it’s very exciting,” Johnson said.

Woodus, who’s 6-foot-5, 265 pounds, is looking forward to his chances to get playing time early on in his Delaware State career.

“When I was talking with the coaches, they said I had a good chance to come up, work hard and start my freshman year,” Woodus said.

“On my visit, it felt just right. I like the city. The people were nice, the campus is nice and it’s near Philadelphia and New York,” said Woodus. Woodus said he’s looking at being an English major and English teacher or a physical therapist.

“At first I wanted to go as far away as possible,” said Johnson about his college recruiting path, “now though, being close to home is great because my friends and family can see me play.”

“I’m looking to play, to work hard. I’ll be ready for camp and be ready to compete,” Johnson said.

Johnson is still undecided, but said he’s most interested in studying marketing and business.

“It’s a great school. It’s a private school,” Johnson said. “I feel marketing and business is where I want to go and Hampton has a great business school.”

On the gridiron, the Pirates were 5-6 overall and 2-5 in the MEAC in 2009. Delaware St. was 4-7 overall and 3-4 in conference. The Hornets claimed a 21-6 victory at Hampton last September. As the two former Cavalier teammates surely know, this coming season Hampton and Delaware St. meet in Dover, Del. on Oct. 2.