UPDATED WITH STORY: Berwick High's Milton, Bella sign college letters

BERWICK — In the backfield, the infield and the outfield, Jayden Milton and Cru Bella have been key players in Berwick High’s state championship runs in 2022.

Now they’re taking their game to the next level.

At a signing ceremony Wednesday at Berwick High, Bella signed a letter of intent to attend and play football and baseball for Louisiana College in Pineville.

Milton signed a letter to attend and play football for Nicholls State.

Both were members of the Berwick High baseball team that tore through the 2022 playoffs before falling a run short in the state 3A championship game.

Milton batted at the top of the lineup and hit two home runs in the 3A semifinal game.

He’ll bid a reluctant farewell to baseball after his senior season.

“I’ll miss it,” Milton said Wednesday. “I’ve been playing since I was a little kid. Hopefully I can end it with a state championship.”

Louisiana College gives Bella the chance to play both sports.

Bella, a first-team All-Stater, hit .370 with 15 doubles and made a contribution to the pitching staff as well. Coach Seth Henry thinks he can be a position player and a pitcher for Louisiana College.

“I’m assuming he’s going to do both,” the coach said. “I imagine he’ll get a chance to play a position and pitch at the next level.”

Henry said Bella throws in the mid-80s and “his curve ball has come a long way. That’s going to be the defining mark for him.”

The opportunity to play both sports was important to Bella.

“I really love both sports,” Bella said, “and I’m not at a time where I can give up one.”

On the gridiron, Berwick went 8-5 and reached the Non-Select Division 3 quarterfinals. The Panthers started the season with six straight wins.

Milton combined speed and power at running back. He played defense and on special teams, too, seldom coming off the field in some games.

“Jayden will get some time to play early,” said Berwick football coach Mike Walker, “whether it’s on special teams or at running back. I think that experience will serve him well at Nicholls.”

For Milton, “Nicholls just felt right. It’s close to home if I need anything.”

Bella took a significant step up as he began his senior season as the Panther quarterback.

Bella prepared for his senior season with “a lot of work in the film room,” he said. “Practicing with my teammates. I think I began to understand the game.”

“He has tremendous talent,” Walker said. “He’s mobile. He’s a big kid, 6-2 and 180 pounds, and he can move around in the pocket.”

Bella is the son of Keaten and Chad Bella. Milton’s grandparents are Luis and Faith Bran.