Dawson Patterson (front row center), celebrates his signing with Tallahassee Community College Friday morning, joined by family and coaches. Tiftarea Academy high school students were also on hand in the gymnasium to wish him well.

CHULA — Before the Tiftarea Academy baseball season had even started, players and coaches had a reason to celebrate Friday morning.

Dawson Patterson, a senior pitcher on Tiftarea’s team, signed a scholarship with Tallahassee Community College (Fla.) in front of teammates, family and the entire senior class in the gymnasium.

“I want to thank everyone for being a part of this,” Patterson said after he signed his name on the dotted line. Patterson issued specific thanks to his coaches, parents, friends and family.

Tiftarea athletic director Tim Hathcock spoke to begin the ceremony.

“It’s always a privilege to have a kid sign,” he said.

Hathcock said that before Patterson got to college, he hoped he had a good season for the Panthers.

Two high school head coaches were on hand to celebrate the accomplishment: current Tiftarea head coach Chance Benson and Patterson’s former head coach, Brad Porter.

“I’m proud of Dawson,” said Benson. “I’m proud of his humility.”

Porter offered that Patterson is a “great kid.”

“It has been a thrill to watch him develop,” Porter said, adding the scholarship is the “reward he receives for the work he put in.”

Patterson has offered many big moments for the Panthers during his career on the diamond. He has been a part of two no-hitters, combining with Bo Vickers to defeat Southland Academy in 2016 before doing it solo against Valwood in 2017.

In another game in 2017, Patterson just missed tossing a no-no. In a game against Brooks County where he struck out 17 batters, he held the Trojans to a lone bloop single. He was credited with eight wins on the mound during the season.

Patterson was a GISA All-State selection in 2017 and was also named All-Region.