Trey Hales, a 6-foot-1, 170-pound cornerback at Southeast Raleigh, has accepted a football scholarship to Wingate.

Hales is the seventh member of the Bulldogs' defensive unit to receive a scholarship this year.

"I've never heard of such a thing," said Southeast coach Chad O'Shea. "This is a tribute to the effort and work they made to become better football players. It is an exceptional group of guys."

The Southeast defense was extremely strong, allowing only 6.6 points and 63.5 rushing yards per game.

Six of the defenders have signed with college teams: end Darren Curtis (6-2, 225, Western Carolina); middle linebacker Eric Smalls (5-11, 235, Catawba); outside linebacker Marcus Short (6-2, 215, N.C. Central); end Matt High (6-2, 240, Elizabeth City State); safety Shawntez Jones (6-0, 185, Elizabeth City State) and Hales.

Defensive lineman Brian Simmons (6-6, 275) will prep a year at Chatham (Va.) Hargrave Military.

Southeast is building a reputation for its production of football players.

Lineman Yomi Ojo (6-4, 305) and center Leroy Harris (6-3, 285) play at N.C. State.

UNC SOCCER: Michael Walters of Sanderson and Jimmy Holcombe of Cardinal Gibbons are among nine University of North Carolina men's soccer recruits.

The Tar Heels also signed Greenville Rose's Andre Sherard and Zach Haines of Southwest Guilford.

RUTGERS RECRUIT: Ty Armstrong of Green Hope has accepted a soccer scholarship to Rutgers. Armstrong had 20 goals and 25 assists in 2003 for Green Hope.

BARTON STAYS LOCAL: Barton College in Wilson didn't have to go far to sign Wilson Fike soccer standout Connor Bedgood.

Bedgood was a four-year defensive starter for Fike and has been selected to play in the North Carolina Coaches Association East-West All-Star boys soccer game.

He is expected to earn four varsity letters in soccer, basketball and baseball and one in football.

"It is extraordinary that Connor can letter in the same year in soccer, football, basketball and baseball at a high school with the quality of teams and competition that is found at Fike," said Barton coach Gary Hall.

ORANGE LINEMAN SIGNS: Josh Coburn of Orange, a 6-foot-4, 280-pound offensive lineman, has accepted a football scholarship to Wingfield (Kan.) Southwestern University.

Coburn was an All-Piedmont Athletic 4-A pick in 2001 and 2002 and a Five County all-conference pick in 2003.

HEADEN PICKS IONA: Tiara Headen of Chapel Hill has accepted a basketball scholarship to New Rochelle (N.Y.) Iona College.

Headen led Chapel Hill this season with 17.7 points per game.