Rebels' Payton signs with Methodist

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on February 6, 2016 11:38 PM

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CALYPSO -- JP Payton found a second home when he stepped onto the North Duplin campus before his sophomore year.

The coaching staff made him feel welcome, and helped develop his academic and physical skills in preparation for the next step of his life.

Payton moved closer to that next step Friday morning. The muli-talented senior athlete signed to play football next season with Methodist University.

And ironically, Payton experienced the same feelings when he slid into a chair in coach CJ Goss' office. They too, didn't see Payton as a number, but -- first and foremost -- as a student-athlete.

"They told me that every player that graduated from there that was a student-athlete on the football team, they gave them the standards they needed in life to be successful after they graduate," Payton said. "They reminded me of the coaches at North Duplin and how much I loved playing for them."

The Rebels' coaching staff displayed Payton's talent at either quarterback, running back, slot back, corner and safety. Payton relished the slot back position because of his ability find open spaces and utilize his speed.

During his three varsity seasons, Payton compiled 1,899 yards of total offense and 25 touchdowns. On defense, he logged three interceptions.

North Duplin won 14 games and twice advanced to the second round of the N.C. High School Athletic Association Class 1-A (small-school) playoffs with Payton on the field.

"He's developed physically from where he was a sophomore," Martin said. "He's worked real hard in the weight room. He was dedicated in the summers, coming out and working. Just seeing him develop through his work ethic is probably has been the biggest thing for him.

"(Players like JP) are the type of young men that we hang our hat on. (He's) very versatile, learned to play multiple positions including special teams for us, so that when we do have injuries in places or lack of depth somewhere, we can move players like him around to be able to have a chance to compete.

"He has really helped us."

Payton plans to carry that same work ethic to Methodist.

The Monarchs, in Goss' third season, logged a 4-8 worksheet. Several seniors are graduating, which possibly opens the door for Payton to step into a back-up role at quarterback or earn considerable playing time at slot receiver.

To experience any kind of success, Payton said he needs to improve his field vision, get faster and increase his workload in the weight room. He's got to add some muscle to his 5-foot-9, 165-pound frame.

Methodist shared USA South Conference regular-season championships with Ferrum (Va.) and Maryville (Tenn.) in 2005 and 2013, respectively. The Monarchs have produced 14 Division III All-Americans in program history -- the last coming in 2006.

"The coaches at North Duplin, they've helped me so much in the last three years, have given me a lot of opportunities I never really thought I would have," Payton said. "They always make sure that you're on the right track. I don't have just a parent at home, but I have a parent at school who is going to expect me to do good things.

'The coaches at North Duplin are great coaches and showed me a lot of what I didn't know, made me feel at home and as if I had an extra parent."

And now he has another extra parent.