Apalachee running back Jon Lee leads a group of six Wildcats who signed letters of intent Wednesday to play college football next season.

Lee will head to Division I Air Force in Colorado Springs, his top college choice.

The senior led Apalachee in both rushing yards (1,470) and touchdowns (17) as the Wildcats advanced to the third round of the playoffs for the first time.

The five other seniors who signed Wednesday, and the entire senior class as a whole, have been integral to the program’s success these last four years.

Four of the seniors will be going off to college in pairs.

Offensive lineman John Brown (first team all-region) and middle linebacker Tony Hoard (third on the team in tackles with 65) will head to Pikeville College, an NAIA member and a four-year private school in Kentucky.

Lenoir Rhyne University, a Division II school in Hickory, North Carolina, will get linebacker Jeff Haney (team-leading 133 tackles, Defensive Player of the Year in Region 8-AAAA) and fullback/linebacker Reggie Battle (second in tackles with 95, first team all-region defense).

Battle will play primarily fullback in the school’s triple option offense, while Haney will have a chance to start at linebacker before too long.

Running back/wide receiver/defensive back John Ansley will suit up next season for Valdosta State University. Ansley was the top receiver with 383 yards and six touchdowns last season; he also rushed for 932 yards and eight more touchdowns. He was named to the first team all-region on offense and defense.

At Valdosta State he will have a chance to use his diverse skills. He will primarily play either receiver or safety, with the option to be an all-purpose player out of the spread offense.

Head Coach Shane Davis said during the signing that a few more of the seniors may end up playing college football as well.