By Emmalee Molay & David Hamilton

FERRIDAY — As of Wednesday morning, Ferriday High School’s Dare Rosenthal and Dantrieze Scott will forever be Tigers.

The senior duo signed their National Letters of Intent in the school’s gymnasium to play football at Louisiana State University, solidifying their season-long commitments to the Baton Rouge school.

After falling in the LHSAA Class 2A semifinals this season, both Rosenthal and Scott reflected on their time at Ferriday and agreed they are ready for the next step.

“It felt good,” Rosenthal said. “It’s what I’ve been working for forever. It has been a dream to play at LSU since I was six or seven. I’m ready to play.”

Scott added the moment was very surreal.

“It felt so great,” he said. “I couldn’t believe it happened. I never had a feeling like that before. With all my classmates and teammates there congratulating me, it feels real now.”

Both players signed to play defensive end at LSU. They both said they chose to ink their commitments — which were made in late June — on early signing day to solidify their hard work.

“I had to go and make it happen,” Scott said. “I’m glad I did.”

Dedication from the pair is hard to miss, noting their performance in leading the Trojans to a No. 2 ranking for a majority of this season.

Scott ended with 19 catches for 441 yards and eight scores as a receiver, with another two rushing touchdowns. On defense he had 110 tackles — 54 for a loss, 14 sacks, 21 quarterback hurries, eight pass break-ups, four forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, two interceptions and one touchdown.

Rosenthal ended the year with 60 tackles — 30 for a loss, 6.5 sacks and four fumble recoveries — including two scoop and scores. He also had three quarterback hurries, two interceptions and two forced fumbles.

A lot of the success, the duo said, was a direct result of first-year coach Stanley Smith.

“He helped us with technique and the meaning of the game,” Scott said. “He was always there. It was like he was our father and our coach at the same time — teaching us life all at the same time.”

“He expected more of me than any coach I’ve ever had,” Rosenthal added. “As soon as I would make a big play, he always said go out there and do it again.”

For what Rosenthal will miss most at Ferriday, he said the atmosphere.

“The intensity was crazy,” he said. “As soon as I wake until after games were over, we were always going.”

Next on the list of goals for Scott is to finish his senior year on the right page.

“I’ve come a long way,” he said. “I’m just trying to keep up my good grades for the rest of the year. It all came out for the best.”

And with his best friend right beside him, Rosenthal looks forward to the moment he walks into Tiger Stadium for the first time.

“The dream will really come true when I put on the jersey and I’m on the field,” he said. “I’m just going to work hard and try to earn a starting spot.”