Two Harvester football players moving on to play in college

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It was another afternoon of celebration on Monday afternoon as two more Pampa Harvesters signed to play college football at McNeely Field House at Pampa High School.

Cornelius “Peanut” Landers, who was the electric running back for the Harvesters the last several years signed with New Mexico Highlands University in Las Vegas, N.M.

“It was a great experience,” Landers said. “I have family that goes there and plays football so that was a little bit of a pull, too. But they are so nice and welcomed me with open arms and made it a home for me.”

Landers was a three-year starter for the Harvesters, tallying 3,269 yards on 488 carries and 34 touchdowns. A dual-threat back, Landers also had 836 yards on 91 catches and seven touchdowns.

Landers played under both Coaches Greg Poynor and Cody Robinson.

“Both coaching staffs were just everything for me,” Landers said.

“Coach (Greg) Poynor taught me a lot mentally. Coach (Cody) Robinson was more like a father to me. He just taught me what being a man was, how to treat your kids when you have them and how to be a better man for everybody.”

Pampa Head Coach Cody Robinson said his favorite memory was more of a comical time on the field.

“Peanut was injured and had to play with a cup (against Canyon),” Robinson said. “He was playing his tail off in the first half. He comes out in the second half, makes a 20-30-yard run and he’s down. I’m thinking it’s his knee or ankle, so Rolando (Salas, trainer) and I go out there and check on him.

“He said [after a high-pitched groan] ‘I forgot my cup in the locker room.’ He had taken it off at halftime. He’s a kid, but he’s tons of fun to coach. He had an incredible game against Randall and he put the team on his back.”

In his senior year, Landers had 1,268 yards and 14 touchdowns. But his favorite memory came against Randall, where he had three touchdowns on 18 carries and 111 yards.

“My favorite memory was probably this year against Randall,” Landers said. “There was so much going into that game emotionally and we had never played them before. We wanted to show them what we have. We came together as a team, showed them what we had and played together as a family. That meant everything to me.”

Landers will major in athletic science which he hopes to turn into a coaching job.

Big-bodied wide receiver Jessie Alvidrez signed to play at Oklahoma Panhandle State University in Goodwell, Okla.

“It still felt like it was home like Pampa,” Alvidrez said. “It was a small town, but the university is kind of simple.”

Alvidrez played in 25 games, starting the last two years for the Harvesters. He caught 52 balls for 906 yards and two touchdowns under both Coach Poynor and Robinson.

“Coach Poynor taught about us becoming a family and a team,” Alvidrez said. “But Coach Rob he made it tougher and not to give up.”

Coach Robinson’s favorite game was against Dalhart, where Alvidrez had a 62-yard grab.

“Against Dalhart, Jessie played outside receiver before, so him playing tight end, ‘y’ position and fullback, that’s different,” Robinson said. “He still got the ball, but he had to block a lot more. Jessie came and said he wanted the ball, which I love. If a kid wants the ball, he’s a player. Sam (Anguiano, quarterback) missed him on the first throw wide open so we came back later we were able to hit him on the second one.”

Alvidrez enjoys the butterflies that comes before every game.

“My favorite memories are just when we get on the field and feel that adrenaline rush,” Alvidrez said. “I love that.”

While Plan A is to take his game to the professional level, Alvidrez plans to major in either welding or business.

The Harvesters will lose two great players on the field, but it’s the men they are off the field Robinson will be missing.

“I knew about both of them when I took this job and knew what they were capable of from film,” Robinson said. “Jessie, you can move him around all over the place. He has incredible size and is smart. Peanut catches the ball out of the back field and has incredible power.

“What I love about these guys the most is they are awesome people. They are great kids and a very important part of this community. They are a pleasure to coach. Both of them are uniquely versatile. They are good football players. They are both strong kids and they work hard. I’m extremely proud of both of them.”