Missouri Western State University head football coach Jerry Partridge has announced the signing of 14 football student-athletes to the 2012 National Letter of Intent.
Western had another successful season in 2011 finishing 9-3 overall and 7-2 in MIAA play. Western won its last seven regular season games making their third trip to the NCAA Division II playoffs. The Griffons have won a school record nine games in six of the last nine years. They have also played in a post season game in seven straight years (3 playoff appearances, 4 Mineral Water Bowl games).
Western signed five linebackers, three offensive lineman, three defensive lineman, two defensive backs, two tight ends and one wide receiver. Linebacker Blake Burson and wide receiver Blake Deal both of Savannah are the two local kids that signed with the Griffons.
Western recruited the midwest region very well. Western signed eight players from Missouri, three from Iowa, two from Nebraska, two from Kansas and one from Nevada.
2012 Missouri Western football signees
Darrian Bass
6-4, 210, Defensive End / Linebacker
(St. Louis, Missouri / Christian Brothers College)
“Bass is a player who can play stand up linebacker or defensive end” commented Partridge. “He is not as big as his brother (David) but is an outstanding athlete who does a lot of good things on the field.”
Runs a 4.6 second 40-yard dash and has a 33 inch vertical…41 tackles with one sack…one fumble recovery and two interceptions his senior season…majoring in biology at Western.
Bass Highlights
Jorge Belcher
6-2, 210, Linebacker
(Kansas City, Missouri / Archbishop O’Hara High School)
“Belcher is a very physical and athletic player,” commented Partridge. “Highly recruited player that we are happy to get.”
1st Team All-State…1st Team All-District…1st Team All-Conference…Defensive Player of the Year…O’Hara’s All-Time leading tackler with 429 career tackles (15.5 per game)…O’Hara’s single season record holder for tackles with 199 in 2011…plans on majoring in business at Western.
Belcher Highlights
Aaron Bubb
6-4, 285, Offensive Line
(Lincoln, Nebraska / Lincoln Southeast High School)
“He is a very physical football player who plays hard and has great leadership skills,” stated Partridge. “Will play offensive tackle for Western.”
Honorable Mention All-State…All-City…helped his team win the state championship last season…majoring in exercise science at Western.
Bubb Highlights
Blake Burson
6-1, 205, Linebacker
(Savannah, Missouri / Savannah High School)
“Burson is an all around good football player,” stated Partridge. “He is a very smart player and a good leader. Was a three year starter on a solid football team.”
Four year letter winner…All-Conference…All-District…First Team All-State…two year captain…undecided on a major at Western.
Burson Highlights
Joey Capul
6-1, 210, Linebacker
(Garden Plains, Kansas / Garden Plains High School)
“Capul is very athletic and explosive player,” commented Partridge. “He is very fast and was an All-State linebacker and running back.”
1st Team All-State Running Back and Linebacker…Wichita Eagle All-Metro Team…Wichita Eagle Top 22…Topeka Capital-Journal Top 22…Kansas Shrine Bowl selection…1st Team All-League Linebacker…1st Team All-League Running Back… played in Blue-Gray North/South All Star Game in Tampa, Florida..had and interception for a 62 yd touchdown return…had 193 carries for 1,753 yard with 22 touchdowns last season…had 106 total tackles with 44 unassisted tackles with 19 tackles for a loss and four sacks his senior season…in his career he finished with 320 carries for 2,679 yards and 41 touchdowns…had 233 career tackles with 94 unassisted tackles, 36 tackles for a loss and 10 sacks…undecided on a major at Western.
Capul Highlights
Blake Deal
6-1, 180, Wide Receiver
(Savannah, Mo. / Savannah High School)
“Deal never gives up on a ball which has allowed him to make a lot of good catches in his career.,” stated Partridge.
Two time All-District wide receiver and defensive back…Two time All-Conference wide receiver and defensive back..2nd Team All-State…helped his team to two Midland Empire Championships and two District Titles…2011 State Semi Finalist..had 46 catches for 985 yards and 12 touchdowns as a senior and 35 catches for 685 yards and 5 touchdowns as a junior…undecided on a major at Western.
Deal Highlights
Sean Holloran
6-3, 275, Offensive Line
(St. Louis, Missouri / Christian Brothers College)
(St. Louis, Missouri / Christian Brothers College)
“He is a very athletic kid with long arms,” stated Partridge. “He will play center for us in the future. He is also schooled in Traditional Korean Martial Arts.”
First Team All-State…helped his team to the 6A state final game last season…majoring in biology at Western.
Holloran Highlights
Brock Kimball
6-2, 185, Defensive Back
(Washington, Iowa / Washington High School)
“Brock is probably the most physical defensive back in this class,” commented Partridge. “He is very long and has good speed. He is a very good student as well.”
1st Team All-District…All-Golden Triangle Team…Iowa Shrine Bowl participant…honorable mention All-District as a junior and defensive Rookie of the Year as a sophomore…member of the National Honor Society…plans on majoring in business managment at Western.
Kimball Highlights
Donovan Mathis
5-11, 185, Linebacker / Defensive Back
(Springfield, Missouri / Hillcrest High School)
“Donovan is a very good open field tackler,” commented Partridge. “Is a very aggressive ball seeker. He was a six man quarterback in Texas before moving to Springfield.”
1st Team All-District…1st Team All-Conference…biggest sports moment was defeating Glendale his senior season…his cousin Michael Brisco played at Texas Tech…plans on majoring in law at Western.
Mathis Highlights
Hunter Pack
6-0, 195, Defensive Back
(Springfield, Missouri / Kickapoo High School)
“Pack is a very physical and athletic corner,” said Partridge. “We are excited about what he is going to become.”
Had 57 solo tackles his senior season…1st Team All-Region defensive back by Southwest Missouri Football Coaches Association…made the game winning catch against camdenton…his dad played football at Baker University…undecided on a major at Western.
Kurt Petroll
6-3, 285, Defensive Tackle
(Liberty, Missouri / Liberty High School)
“A very dominate interior player in high school,” Partridge stated. “He has a strong lower body and is extremely quick and athletic for his size. Ran a 4.4 pro agility and had a 28 inch vertical.”
Second Team All-State…Honorable Mention All-State…two time 1st Team All-Conferene…2nd Team All-Conference…three time academic award winner…two time team captain…65 tackles, 8 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 6 pass break-ups and one blocked kick his senior season…plans on majoring in health and exercise science at Western.
Petroll Highlights
Colton Thompson
6-1, 230, Linebacker
(Council Bluffs, Iowa /Abraham Lincoln High School)
“Very physical player who is well built for just coming out of high school,” said Partridge. “He was also a very good fullback in high school.”
Runs a 4.7 40-yard dash with a vertical of 32.5 inches…1st Team All-Conference…1st Team All-City…2nd Team All-Conference…majoring in criminal justice at Western.
Thompson Highlights
Blake Vandenburg
6-6, 220, Tight End
(Mt. Pleasant, Iowa / Mt. Pleasant High School)
“Blake has big hands and catches the ball well,” stated Partridge. “We are excited about the potential he has to develop into a solid MIAA player.”
All-District…3rd Team All-State..All-Hawkeye…team captain…37 catches for 460 yards and 4 TD’s for his senior season…undecided on a major at Western.
Mackenzie Wischmann
6-6, 235, Defensive End
(Papillion, Nebraska / Papillion-La Vista High School)
“Wischmann is a very long and high motor player,” commented Partridge. “He works extremely hard and is a solid student who plans on majoring in zoology.”
Honorable Mention All-State…All-Conference…All-District…All-Metro…team captain…had 12.5 sacks, 20 tackles for a loss, 48 solo tackles and 40 assisted tackles his senior season…majoring in biology/zoology at Western.
Wischmann Highlights
Transfers
Nick Williams
6-3, 240, Tight End / Linebacker
(Lenexa, Kansas / Olathe Northwest HS / University of Nebraska-Omaha)
“A big kid who is a good athlete,” commented Partridge. “Played defensive end/linebacker for UNO. We will start him at tight end.”
In High School: Recorded 86 tackles as a senior and 200 for his career, both school records, while earning all-state honors…also caught 38 passes for 513 yards as a tight end, also school records at Olathe Northwest High School under coach Todd Dain…was defensive player of the year in the conference…also lettered in track and basketball.
2010 at UNO: Played in 11 games with 19 tackles, 7 being solo…had three tackles for a loss and one sack.
Kevin Hart
6-4, 315, Offensive Lineman
(Fernley, Nevada / Fernley HS / Feather River Community College)
“A big physical player who will compete for a guard spot next fall,” commented Partridge.
Feather River CC: 2011 1st Team Mid-Empire All-Conference…2011 CCCAA 1t Team All-Region.
— MWSU Sports Information —