News

Feb 3, 2010

Wednesday is National Signing Day for football.

2010 Chadron State High School Recruits Roster

Division II Signing Day

CHADRON – Twenty 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.”

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 are Jamie Bergmark of Aurora, Phillip Colling and Jake Hasz of Omaha, Michael Hill of Fort Laramie, Wyo., Alec Holmquist and Zach Sandstrom of Chadron, Brandon Jerke of Alliance, Patrick O’Boyle of Gering, Sam Parker of Harrison, Tyler Pace of Arvada, Colo., Lance Pickett of Otis, Colo., Blake Pirkl of Box Elder, S.D., Andrew Rios and Tyler Tingelhoff of Lexington, Charlie Robison of Alma, Xavier Romero of Fountain, Colo., Mitch Schlager of Torrington, Wyo., Patrick Snead of Gillette, Wyo., Austen Stephens of Lincoln, and Antonio Thompson of Savanna, Ga.

By position the Eagles have received letters of intent from six defensive lineman, four wide receivers, three linebackers, two defensive backs, two offensive linemen, and one quarterback, tailback and 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.

Jake Hasz, defensive end, 6-3, 240 pounds (Omaha, Neb./Omaha Skutt Catholic)

Could develop into a solid defensive end for the Eagles … Had 88 total tackles, five forced fumbles, six sacks and four fumble recoveries last year for Class B state runner-up Omaha Skutt … He was named to the Class B First Team by Huskerland Prep and the Omaha World-Herald … Also a talented wrestler for one of the best programs in the state of Nebraska … He finished as state runner-up as a junior at heavyweight and has just one loss this season.

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.

Alec Holmquist, wide receiver/defensive back, 5-10, 180 pounds (Chadron, Neb./Chadron High)

A versatile athlete who is projected to play cornerback for the Eagles … Was Chadron’s leading receiver last fall with 23 receptions for 394 yards and five TDs … Also ran the ball 12 times for 158 yards, returned 14 punts for 14.5-yard average, intercepted five passes that he returned 66 yards and was the Cardinals’ punter … In addition, he is a key member of the Cards’ basketball team that has a 61-7 cumulative record the past three seasons, including a 15-2 record and the state’s top Class C-1 ranking this year … He had a best of 11.2 seconds in the 100 meters and anchored the 400-meter relay that qualified for the Class C state meet last spring … Earned all-state honorable mention in football the past two years and was named to the Star-Herald’s all-class team for 2009.

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.

Sam Parker, offensive line, 6-1, 280 pounds (Harrison, Neb./Sioux County High)

A good two-sport athlete from Sioux County … He was a three-year starter for the football team and was named to the Lincoln Journal Star and Omaha World-Herald 6-man all-state team … He was also placed on the Star-Herald second team … Also wrestles, claiming a fifth place finish at heavyweight last year … He plans to major in education.

Lance Pickett, offensive line, 6-7, 290 pounds (Otis, Colo./Otis High)

A big offensive line prospect who played 6-man football at Otis High … He helped lead his team to the state semifinals and was named honorable mention by the Denver Post … Became familiar with CSC by attending the football camp in the summer … He also throws the shot put and discus and plays basketball … His sister, Keisha, graduated from CSC last December.

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.

Andrew Rios, wide receiver, 5-8, 145 pounds (Lexington, Neb./Lexington High)

Tallied the fourth-most receiving yards in Class B last season (611) … He averaged 16 yards a reception and scored five touchdowns … Earned honorable mention accolades from a variety of publications and was all-district … He also had three interceptions from his defensive back position … Is also a good middle-distance runner, running the 400 meters in 52.1 seconds and the 800 in 2:01 … Plans to major in business or education at CSC.

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.

Xavier Romero, defensive back, 5-8, 185 pounds (Fountain, Colo./Fountain Fort Carson High)

A two-year starter who helped lead Fountain Fort Carson to the playoffs last season and an 8-3 record … He had over 100 tackles and three interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown … Also runs track and field, competing in the sprints and relays.

Zach Sandstrom, defensive tackle, 6-1, 235 pounds (Chadron, Neb./Chadron High)

A first-team Class C-1 all-stater who was placed on the offensive line by the Lincoln Journal Star and Huskerland Prep and in the defensive line by the Omaha World-Herald … Played tackle on offense and end on defense … Expected to play defense in college … Last fall, he made 35 unassisted and 56 assisted tackles, had 8.5 quarterback sacks and 19.5 tackles for losses … The Cardinals were 29-3 during his three years as a starter … Also is the school’s heavyweight wrestler who qualified for the state tournament last year, and threw the shot more than 48 feet last spring … His brother Mike is a sophomore offensive lineman for the Eagles.  

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.

Patrick Snead, defensive end, 6-5, 230 pounds (Gillette, Wyo./Campbell County High)

A big defensive lineman … Had 33 total tackles and three sacks for Campbell County High in 2009 … Named Class 4A honorable mention by the Casper Star-Tribune.

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.

Antonio Thompson, wide receiver, 5-7, 170 pounds (Savannah, Ga./Jenkins High)

Became acquainted with Chadron State after quarterback coach Chris Stein talked to him at a camp in Georgia … He made a visit to the campus earlier this winter and felt at home … Played wide receiver but his high school team rarely passed … On defense, he had 29 tackles and broke up two passes … Also plays basketball and runs the 200 meters in track … His best time is 23.7 seconds in that event … Plans to major in sports management.

Tyler Tingelhoff, free safety, 5-11, 170 pounds (Lexington, Neb./Lexington High)

Only played in four games last season because of an injury, but he still managed to accumulate 800 yards of total offense and score 11 touchdowns while playing quarterback … He started three seasons at Lexington High until his knee injury forced him to miss the remaining games of his senior season … Was named honorable mention by the Omaha World-Herald, Lincoln Journal Star and Huskerland Prep … Also competes in track and field, running the 300 hurdles in 39.7 seconds … He qualified for state as a junior.