A trio of recent Fairhope High School graduates has been given the honor of attending a United States Military Academy and playing football. Owen Williams and Glenn Patrick will go to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and Luke Freer will head to the U.S. Air Force Academy.

“There are only five military academies in the U.S. and getting accepted to any of them is a major accomplishment. According to their recommendation letters, teachers say it is their mix of academic, athletic and leadership skills that made these young men the perfect candidates for these programs,” a post from FHS said. “With highly competitive acceptance rates and some special requirements for admission, getting into the service academies is not easy. The application process also starts earlier in high school, so it is important that you research your options promptly and thoroughly before making a decision. However, if you are a good match for the particular and challenging environment they foster, you may find that you thrive at one of these schools.”

Freer, a 6’ 4” 220-pound kicker, signed in February and will follow in the footsteps of his father and brother going into the Air Force. Williams, a 6’ 2” 215-pound defensive end and long snapper, and Patrick, a 5’ 11” 195-pound running back signed with the Coast Guard Academy during a May 5 ceremony. The trio were part of Fairhope’s 8-0 run through Class 7A’s Region 1 last year.

Both the Air Force Academy and Coast Guard Academy football teams will open the 2022 season at home. The Falcons are scheduled to host Northern Iowa and the Bears are set to host the University of New England.