South Columbus High School seniors Anthony “A.J.” Johnson and Garrett Ward will be the among the first players on the UNC-Pembroke football team, which will begin intercollegiate play in 2007.

UNCP is revitalizing its football program after a layoff of more than 50 years.

Johnson, a running back, and Ward, an offensive lineman, signed Wednesday morning to join the UNCP football team in its 2006 preparation year. Both played big roles for the South Columbus football squad this past fall as the Stallions won the Waccamaw Conference championship and finished with an 11-2 record. Johnson, at 5-foot-7, 190 pounds, capped off his career by rushing for more than 1,000 yards despite playing much of the season with an injury.

Ward, a 6-3, 255-pound offensive tackle, was selected to the NCPreps.com 2A All-State team.

Both Johnson and Ward were selected to the All-Waccamaw Conference and All-Columbus County teams.

Johnson is the son of Mike and Wanda Johnson of Clarendon, and Ward is the son of Mike and Sabrina Ward of Nakina.

The UNCP football team, which hired Pete Shinnick as head coach, will compete in the NCAA Division II ranks. Shinnick, the son of former NFL player Don Shinnick, comes to Pembroke after an outstanding tenure at California’s Azusa Pacific College.