Three Mariner High football teammates signed college letters-of-intent Friday with academics being a major factor in their school choice decisions.

Twin brothers Mario and Nick Perone did not set out to sign with the same school, but both ultimately settled on Maryville College in Tennessee. They will remain teammates in football and possibly roommates as well.

“It just happened,” said Mario Perone. “I expected us to go to different schools, but we both got interested in Maryville.”

Both were offered scholarships by Waldorf College of Forest City, Iowa, which teammate Michael Swearingen decided was the best fit for him.

“Tennessee is a lot closer to Florida than Iowa, which is just a cornfield,” said Nick Perone. “We both like the environment of where Maryville is and the good academic programs they offer. Going to the same school will be an advantage to us because we will at least know someone else there.”

Mario Perone, an offensive back/receiver, chose the Division III school to study the field of health care. Nick Perone, a fullback, will major in biochemistry with the intention of becoming a pharmacist.

Swearingen laid out all his school options and culled out the ones that did not offer a good media department.

“All of my football options were at out-of-state schools, but I was open to going anywhere as long as I could major in electronic media,” said Swearingen.

When he visited Waldorf, he said he was impressed by the coaches and the up-and-coming program.

“The three of us talked about going to the same school, but decided we each had to do what was right for us,” said Swearingen, who will be tried at long snapper, defensive line or perhaps linebacker.