PCS celebrated a joyous signing day on Wednesday as six-student athletes officially signed to continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level.
Surrounded by family, teammates and coaches, the signees put pen to paper in a ceremony that highlighted not only individual accomplishments, but the continued growth of PCS athletics.
The six signees included football players Jet Henderson (Jones College) and Rhett Robertson (Pearl River Community College), volleyball standout Kate McClain (Copiah-Lincoln Community College), softball players Terrika Spencer (Coahoma Community College) and Khloe Dudley (Xavier University of Louisiana), and cheerleader Kennedi Shows (Pearl River Community College).
PCS Athletic director Drew Mattison opened the ceremony with brief remarks and followed by introducing each student athlete which was met with thunderous applause from the observers.
After Mattison’s opening remarks, each player’s coach came up and spoke a few words about each of their players.
Leah Sherer, PCS cheer coach got up first to speak about Shows. Sherer highlighted Shows resume that included six state championships with MAIS, multiple UCA regional titles and PCS cheer’s first-ever appearances at national competition.
In 2025, Shows helped lead PCS to a fourth-place finish nationally in Game Day and a fifth-place finish in traditional cheer — achievements that helped elevate the program’s profile.
“She’s part of the group that paved the path for PCS cheer,” Sherer said. “She set the example for what this program can be.”
Shows now heads to Pearl River Community College, one of the nation’s premier cheer programs, and a destination her coach believes fits her competitive drive.
“She’s going to a nationally ranked program that expects excellence,” Sherer said. “And she’s going to help them continue that.”
For PCS softball, signing day was a moment of validation for senior captains Terrika Spencer and Khloe Dudley – two players who growing up didn’t always picture themselves sitting at a signing table.
Spencer, an outfielder who has also begun catching, signed with Coahoma Community College. Dudley, a versatile infielder, signed with Xavier University of Louisiana.
“It’s been really nerve-wracking,” Spencer said. “But it’s also surreal. There were times I never thought this day would come.”
Dudley echoed that sentiment, noting how unexpected the moment still felt.
“I never thought this day would come, seriously,” she said.
Both players credited PCS for helping them find belief — not just as athletes, but as people. They also emphasized wanting to leave something behind.
“My legacy is just showing people that even if you don’t feel like it’s possible, it is,” Spencer said.
Dudley said the upcoming season remains unfinished business.
“We’re going out for a state championship,” she said. “This team has it.”
Softball coach Harry Blakeney, who coached both players for multiple seasons, said that while their athletic ability stood out, their character mattered just as much.
“They’re great athletes, but they’re even better people,” Blakeney said. “Softball is just part of the bigger picture for them.”
Volleyball signee Kate McClain, the daughter of Southern Miss athletic director Jeremy McClain who was in attendance, represented another long-term success story at PCS.
PCS volleyball coach Kennedy Horn noted that McClain was part of her first class at PCS — a relationship that began when McClain was in eighth grade.
“She’s been hard-working from day one,” Horn said. “She’s one of the most dedicated athletes I’ve ever coached.”
McClain signed with Copiah-Lincoln Community College, a move Horn believes sets her up well for continued success.
“I know she’s going to be in fantastic hands,” Horn said. “We’re incredibly proud of her.”
The football portion of the ceremony showcased two players who have been incredibly important pieces to PCS football’s recent success.
Henderson, who has all kinds of records at PCS, signed with Jones College after a 2025 season that put him on the first team Pine Belt Sports all-area team. He finished the season with 1,275 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns.
“It’s surreal,” Henderson said. “All the work I put in, and all the people who helped me get here — it means a lot.”
Henderson said Jones appealed to him because of its coaching staff, proximity to home and history of player development.
“They’ve sent so many guys to the Division I level and the NFL,” he said. “I want to go somewhere I know I’ll get better.”
Robertson' path looked different.
The PCS linebacker suffered a broken ankle in the first game of his senior season, forcing him into a long rehabilitation process. He battled back just in time to suit up for one final playoff game — a moment he called unforgettable.
“That meant everything to me,” Robertson said. “I was just thankful to get back out there one last time.”
Robertson said signing with Pearl River lifted a weight off his shoulders.
“It’s a lot of relief, knowing where I’m going,” he said. “Now it’s time to work.”
PCS football coach Richard Chambliss emphasized that both players embodied what the program wants to be about.
“They earned everything,” he said. “Nothing was given to them.”
Mattison concluded the ceremony by reminding the audience that the ceremony is just about as much as about the families and parents as it is about the athletes.
While for PCS, today marked as another day of progress. For the athletes, today was only the beginning.
