CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (ESPN CLARKSVILLE) – The Northwest High School football team not only finished their 2016 season with a winning record and a home playoff game, they have had six players since February sign to compete in college sports: Five in football and one in wrestling.
Shane Carney and Goldberg Johnsrud will spend the next few seasons at Campbellsville University in Campbellsville, Kentucky.
“I’m excited about going to Campbellsville for new opportunities for me. The school is very focused on athletics and academics,” Carney said.
“I’m really excited to play at the next level with one of my best friends and to have the opportunity to play college football,” Johnsrud said.
Chano Pardue and Eli Johnson will again be teammates at Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria, California.
“I’m excited to go to Allan Hancock to further my education and play football. Another year, another chance to play the game I love,” Pardue said.
“What I’m most excited about is the competition. There’s a lot of competition where I’m going. I know I have to stay focused and work as hard as I can,” Johnson said.
The last Viking to sign to compete at the collegiate level won’t be playing football, but instead wrestling for Middle Tennessee State University. Dylan Carney had this to say about his new journey:
“I’m most excited about becoming an adult. Now it is starting to become a true reality. It’s what high school has been preparing me for, and I’m ready for it,” he said.
Head Coach Vernon Wright knows the importance of his players getting opportunities like this.
“I can’t tell you how excited I am for our guys to move on. One for themselves, and for us as a program,” he said. “These kids came in as freshman and ended that season at 1-9. As seniors they left 6-5 and in the playoffs this last year.”
Earlier this year, Lawrence Campbell signed with Bethel University.
The Vikings open their 2017 season on August 18.