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The Leavenworth High School football team celebrated five signings on Wednesday afternoon. Members of the class of 2012 announced they’d be extending their football careers into college at four different schools.
“Having five guys sign, including one to a DI program, just shows that things are moving in the right direction for people to know that Leavenworth is building a great football program,” head coach Kevin Kopecky said.
“We’ll never forget this senior class because they had what it took to knock down the door and get us back to the state playoffs.”
Pioneers signing on national signing day were Alex Waugh to the United States Military Academy at West Point, Mark Dabeck to the sprint football team at the United States Military Academy at West Point, Eric Harris to Fort Scott Community College, Ricky Gonzalez to the University of Saint Mary and Austin Jackson to Hutchinson Community College.
Both Waugh, a safety, and Dabeck, a wide receiver, said they were honored to just attend West Point and relish the opportunity to be on an Army team.
“It’s always been a dream of mine to play football in college and I’ve also always wanted to go to West Point,” Waugh said, noting his father attended West Point as well. Alex is the son of Bill and Liisa Waugh.
“I’m really excited, I never thought it’d be possible to play in college when I started playing football and I’ve wanted to go to West Point since I was in fourth grade,” Mark, the son of Larry and Cathy Dabeck, echoed.
Dabeck will play sprint football for Army. Sprint football was started in 1934 and features most of the same rules as NCAA football with the addition that players must meet a maximum weight requirement of 172 pounds.
After moving to Leavenworth over the summer, Gonzalez will stay local with the University of Saint Mary. Kopecky praised the future Spire’s academic achievements as well as his athletic prowess.
“He’s a guy who just never quit showing up for us,” Kopecky said of Gonzalez.
Gonzalez, who celebrated his signing with his family of Cindy Gonzalez, Lisa Gonzalez and Nilsa Gonzalez, said he was looking forward to being a part of not only the football team at USM but also the physical therapy program. Gonzalez is a defensive lineman.
It wasn’t until the morning of the signing that Harris landed on Fort Scott Community College.
“They think I have what it takes to get to the next level and they’ll help me do that,” Harris said of his decision. Harris, a linebacker, is the son of Terrie Mathis.
Jackson, the 2011 Leavenworth County defensive player of the year, will continue his career at Hutchinson Community College next season. The son of Janice Jackson, Jackson posted 99 tackles and two sacks and was first-team All-Sunflower League and first-team all state as a linebacker.
The Leavenworth High School football team celebrated five signings on Wednesday afternoon. Members of the class of 2012 announced they’d be extending their football careers into college at four different schools.
“Having five guys sign, including one to a DI program, just shows that things are moving in the right direction for people to know that Leavenworth is building a great football program,” head coach Kevin Kopecky said.
“We’ll never forget this senior class because they had what it took to knock down the door and get us back to the state playoffs.”
Pioneers signing on national signing day were Alex Waugh to the United States Military Academy at West Point, Mark Dabeck to the sprint football team at the United States Military Academy at West Point, Eric Harris to Fort Scott Community College, Ricky Gonzalez to the University of Saint Mary and Austin Jackson to Hutchinson Community College.
Both Waugh, a safety, and Dabeck, a wide receiver, said they were honored to just attend West Point and relish the opportunity to be on an Army team.
“It’s always been a dream of mine to play football in college and I’ve also always wanted to go to West Point,” Waugh said, noting his father attended West Point as well. Alex is the son of Bill and Liisa Waugh.
“I’m really excited, I never thought it’d be possible to play in college when I started playing football and I’ve wanted to go to West Point since I was in fourth grade,” Mark, the son of Larry and Cathy Dabeck, echoed.
Dabeck will play sprint football for Army. Sprint football was started in 1934 and features most of the same rules as NCAA football with the addition that players must meet a maximum weight requirement of 172 pounds.
After moving to Leavenworth over the summer, Gonzalez will stay local with the University of Saint Mary. Kopecky praised the future Spire’s academic achievements as well as his athletic prowess.
“He’s a guy who just never quit showing up for us,” Kopecky said of Gonzalez.
Gonzalez, who celebrated his signing with his family of Cindy Gonzalez, Lisa Gonzalez and Nilsa Gonzalez, said he was looking forward to being a part of not only the football team at USM but also the physical therapy program. Gonzalez is a defensive lineman.
It wasn’t until the morning of the signing that Harris landed on Fort Scott Community College.
“They think I have what it takes to get to the next level and they’ll help me do that,” Harris said of his decision. Harris, a linebacker, is the son of Terrie Mathis.
Jackson, the 2011 Leavenworth County defensive player of the year, will continue his career at Hutchinson Community College next season. The son of Janice Jackson, Jackson posted 99 tackles and two sacks and was first-team All-Sunflower League and first-team all state as a linebacker.
