Thomas Moultrie is leaving the Edisto Cougars to become a Builder, both literally and figuratively.

Moultrie signed Friday to play football with The Builders of The Apprentice School located in Newport News, Va. The Apprentice School teaches apprentices the technical knowledge required for the mastery of one of several shipbuilding trades, and an opportunity to obtain an associate degree in either business administration or engineering technology.

The school is run by Northrop Grumman Corporation who provides and array of products and services in defense electronics, information technology, advanced aircraft, shipbuilding and space technology.

Moultrie is headed to Northrop Grumman's Newport News sector, the nation's sole designer, builder and refueler of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers. They are currently building the George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), the nation's tenth and final Nimitz-class aircraft carrier.

The Builders compete in the NCAA Division III Atlantic Central Football Conference. Moultrie, a T&D Elite 11, All-T&D Region team member and Region 5-AA Defensive Player of the Year, will get the opportunity to play football while being paid to learn and build the nation's most elite ships and aircraft carriers. Moultrie said he is excited to be furthering his academic and athletic career.

"It makes me feel good that I can go play with the big boys," he said. "This will be like a big step for me, going from high school to college. And I will get to play with my cousin Travis Moultrie."

Travis Moultrie and Shelby Robinson are both former Cougars enrolled at the Apprentice School.

The Builders struggled through a 4-6 overall record, 1-4 in the conference, last season. That was, however, an improvement from the 2004. Moultrie brings with him stellar defensive capabilities as he totaled 176 tackles as a linebacker for Edisto his senior season. He had six solo tackles, 118 assists, eight tackles for loss and two sacks to go along with three interceptions (one for a TD), four caused fumbles and one recovered fumble.

"I'm striving to be the best and to go out there and work hard and make the team and myself look good," Moultrie said of his goals for the team. "I want to impress the coaches and have pride for the team."

Moultrie served as team captain for the Edisto Cougars last season and remembers the night they beat Silver Bluff the most. After having a 1-14 record against Silver Bluff since 1981, the Cougars shocked the then seventh ranked Bulldogs, 14-0.

"It was raining on that day and everybody was messed up," he remembered. "Our offense, myself and the defense, everybody helped win that game. Coach Palmer kept us in the game. After we won the game, I was walking off the field and I said, 'we set history.' I felt good, the seniors felt good, Coach Palmer felt good, the fans felt good, the players felt good, everybody felt good."

While Moultrie said he will miss the Cougar football experience, his coach and parents say he will be missed, too.

"He worked very hard and he was always talking about the coaches and weight lifting and football," the elder Thomas Moultrie. "I tried to keep him focused and tell him to play football and get your education and focus on your goals and things after high school. I want to see him do well in life and do well in Apprentice school."

"I'm going to miss him," said mother Melody Moultrie. "I want him to be successful in life and I want him to especially keep his grades up and always look forward."

Palmer joked that he'll miss those 176 tackles the most. Then, on a more serious note, he said Moultrie will be missed for the leadership and work ethic he brought to the team.

"He's a great young man," Palmer said. "As team captain, he set the standard for the rest of the group. That's one right there that we can always count on. He's going to get a good degree, make some money and play some football. You can't ask for more than that."

T&D Sports Editor Charlene Slaughter can be reached by e-mail at cslaughter@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5529.

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