Courtesy of Chadron State Athletics
CHADRON, Neb. – Ten high school seniors have signed National Letters of Intent to play football for Chadron State College beginning in the fall of 2010, CSC head coach Bill O’Boyle announced on Wednesday.
“I’m really pleased with the quality of this recruiting class,†O’Boyle said. “We targeted specific needs and I’m confident we were able to fill them. We got a lot of the guys we wanted and I’m excited with the potential this class has.â€
More players are expected to sign today and later in the week.
Those players getting their letters of intent to the CSC athletic office Wednesday morning are Jamie Bergmark of Aurora, Phillip Colling of Omaha, Michael Hill of Fort Laramie, Wyo., Brandon Jerke of Alliance, Patrick O’Boyle of Gering, Tyler Pace of Arvada, Colo., Blake Pirkl of Box Elder, S.D., Charlie Robison of Alma, Mitch Schlager of Torrington, Wyo., Austen Stephens of Lincoln.
By position the Eagles have received letters of intent from three linebackers, three defensive lineman, one quarterback, one tailback, one wide receiver and one tight end.
The Eagles, who have won three of the last four Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference championships, welcome back 10 starters and 48 letter winners in 2010.
Profiles of the players who have signed letters of intent follow.
Jamie Bergmark, defensive line, 6-4, 275 pounds (Aurora, Neb./Aurora High)
A good-sized lineman who had a great high school career … He was a two-year starter on the offensive and defensive line for Aurora, which won back-to-back Nebraska Class B titles and boasted a 25-1 record … He was placed on the Class B First Team Defense by Huskerland Prep and he was also a first team selection in Class B by the Omaha World-Herald and the Lincoln Journal Star … During 2009, he made 36 total tackles and had three sacks and a fumble recovery … Also competed in golf and track in high school … Plans to major in agri-business.
Phillip Colling, linebacker, 6-1, 205 pounds (Omaha, Neb./Millard West High)
Had a fantastic senior season while helping lead Millard West to a runner-up finish in Nebraska’s Class A and a 10-3 record … He had 131 total tackles, four interceptions, four fumble recoveries, four pass break-ups, three sacks and two forced fumbles … Started two years and was honorable mention all-state by a variety of publications … Also wrestles at Millard West and qualified for the state tourney as a junior … He finished second in his district last season at 189 pounds … Plans to major in education.
Michael Hill, defensive tackle, 6-0, 230 pounds (Fort Laramie, Wyo./Lingle-Ft. Laramie High)
A three-year starter at defensive tackle for Lingle-Ft. Laramie … Helped lead the Doggers to a state runner-up finish in Wyoming’s Class 2A and was named to the Casper Star-Tribune Super 25 Third Team … He’s also a gifted wrestler … He went 39-0 and won the heavyweight title as a junior … He’s also finished second and fifth at the Wyoming state wrestling tourney.
Brandon Jerke, defensive tackle, 6-0, 240 pounds (Alliance, Neb./Alliance High)
Took place in 40 tackles last season for Alliance High School and was named to the Star-Herald All-Region 11-Man Second Team … He was also named Class B honorable mention by the Omaha World-Herald, Lincoln Journal Star and Huskerland Prep … He plans to major in criminal justice.
Patrick O’Boyle, quarterback, 6-4, 170 pounds (Gering, Neb./Gering High)
Had a banner 2009 season leading Gering High to a 9-2 record and a playoff berth … He was the second-rated passer in Class B, completing 145 of 229 passes (63%) for 1,774 yards and 17 touchdowns … He was named to the Lincoln Journal First Team and earned honorable mention from the Omaha World-Herald and Huskerland Prep … He was ranked the No. 2 player in the Nebraska panhandle by the Scottsbluff Star-Herald and he was also the all-class quarterback … Played high school football for his father, Tom, and now he’ll be playing for his uncle, CSC head coach Bill O’Boyle … Also plays basketball and baseball for Gering and runs the hurdles for the track team in the spring.
Tyler Pace, tailback, 5-11, 195 pounds (Arvada, Colo./Pomona High)
Really burst on the scene last season at Pomona High … Rushed for 2,026 yards on 260 carries and scored 29 touchdowns … Averaged 7.8 yards a carry and had a long rush of 77 yards … He had a season-best 230 yards against Cherokee Trail High School … His most impressive performance, though, was against Colorado powerhouse Mullen High School in the Class 5A State Championship Game … In that game, Tyler rushed for 178 yards and two touchdowns in a losing effort … Pomona High finished as state runner-up.
Blake Pirkl, wide receiver, 6-1, 180 pounds (Box Elder, S.D./Douglas High)
Plans to participate in both football and track and field at Chadron State … He was a three-year starter who had over 500 yards and five touchdowns last season at Douglas High School in South Dakota … He was named all-conference in 2009 … Finished third at the South Dakota high school track meet in the 300 hurdles with a time of 39.76 seconds … He’s also run the 400 meters in a time of 49.9 seconds … Will run the hurdles for the track team.
Charlie Robison, linebacker, 6-3, 210 pounds (Alma, Neb./Alma High)
Earned honorable mention from a bevy of publications and had a great 2009 season for Alma High School in Class D-1 … He had a total of 144 tackles, while forcing two fumbles and recovering two more … Also wrestles at 215 pounds … Plans to major in range management.
Mitch Schlager, linebacker (Torrington, Wyo./Torrington High)
Earned a bevy of honors last season … He was ranked No. 5 on the Star-Herald All-Region Super 15 and he was on the Casper Star-Tribune Super 25 Second Team … He was also the all-class running back for the Star-Herald’s all-region team.
Austen Stephens, tight end, 6-3, 215 pounds (Lincoln, Neb./Lincoln North Star High)
A big inside receiver prospect for the Eagles … He led Lincoln North Star in receptions last season and earned honorable mention from the Omaha World-Herald and Lincoln Journal Star … A two-time letterwinner and a team captain … Also plays catcher for the North Star baseball team in the spring and participates in legion ball, as well.