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Six Bulldogs’ football teammates signed National Letters of Intent last month, committing to colleges or universities around the country to continue their education and playing careers at the next level.
“The great thing is they are kids that embody the Queen Creek spirit – they work hard, they do the things we ask, and they’re great leaders,” Queen Creek football head coach Travis Schureman told the Ledger. “They’ve set the bar high, which is great for our brand at Queen Creek. They’ve raised the standard here of what it’s going to take for our program to continue the success we’ve had.”
For senior defensive linemen Cody Davis, who will study chemical engineering at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, it also means pursuing a dream.
“I think it’s a very big opportunity to redshirt the first year,” Davis said. “I’ll be able to go up there and have about four-and-a-half years of playing football, learning, and continuing that on to the NFL.”
Senior All-State kicker Zach Glaess signed with Missouri University of Science and Technology, one of the premier engineering schools in the country, located in Rolla, Missouri.
Glaess, who is also a standout catcher on the Bulldogs’ baseball team and one of the state’s top collegiate baseball prospects, chose a school that provides an education that will help him land the best job possible when his athletic career finally ends.
“It is a top-10 engineering school and I was focused on attending a very good engineering school,” said Glaess, who acknowledged he may play both sports for the Miners. “If I don’t play sports past college I want to get a good degree and Missouri S&T offers that.”
Lt to Rt: Jordan Ackert, Cody Davis, Zane Whiting, Nico Martin, and Zach Glaess.
Teryn Dudley not pictured.
Nico Martin, a two-way starter and an All-Section offensive and defensive lineman, signed with Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, where Cobber coaches intend to use the Bulldogs’ multi-sport athlete as a running back and/or linebacker.
Jordan Ackert, the Bulldogs’ tight end last season, battled through a preseason knee injury that required him to wear a brace that was at least an annoyance for him. Still he was still dynamic in two varsity seasons, attracting attention from schools before ultimately signing with Benedictine College with teammate Davis.
Teryn Dudley signed with Concordia University in Seward, Nebraska. The senior defensive end is grateful to have been a part of the Bulldogs’ program, which he believes prepared him for the next level.
“Everybody looks out for each other (at Queen Creek),” Dudley said. “We play as a team, we talk as a team, and everything about us is a family and it’s just been such a great time to be here.”
Zane Whiting, an All-Division and All-Section player at two different positions, signed with Adams State University in Alamosa, Colorado. Another Bulldogs’ multi-sport athlete, Whiting chose the Grizzlies over more than a few other schools, preferring to remain loyal to the school that was the first to offer.
“When I went up on my visit I had a good feeling about the coaches, that they really cared about me and wanted me to be there,” said Whiting, who will study Sports Science and Sports Management. “It was also the first school that offered me and that definitely played into my decision. The coaches there were the first show any interest.”
Andrew Luberda began writing for Copper Area News Publishers (CANP) in February 2013 after working 15 years in Healthcare Financial Management. Andy covers sports for 11 high schools. His stories are published in Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner and Superior Sun, in addition to the San Tan Valley Daily PRSS and CopperArea websites. Additionally, he has written human interest stories and business profiles. In May 2012, he earned an AAS in Sports Management at Central Arizona College before graduating with a BS in Communication from Arizona State University in 2014. He and his wife, Kelli, have three sons – AJ, Kyle, and Kade.
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