Football signing day came and went with no Hollister High
gridders inking rides to four-year institutions.
Football signing day came and went with no Hollister High gridders inking rides to four-year institutions.
However, there’s a possibility that defensive back Lee Osborne might find a home in Lindsborg, Kan., site of Bethany College, a NAIA school. Osborne is scheduled for a visit there this weekend.
“I’m keeping my options open,” said Osborne.
Former Haybaler Jason Kearns enjoyed a successful season there last fall at wide receiver and Kearns’ ex-teammate at Hollister, Paul Bianchi, is already enrolled at the school and will play for the Fighting Swedes next season. Bianchi was an all-conference defensive end at Gavilan College the past two seasons.
Center Clay Peer was another hopeful to move on to the next level, but a strong look by St. Mary’s fell through when the Gaels coaching staff left for greener pastures.
“I called up to St. Mary’s and I got a message,” said Peer’s coach at Hollister, Chris Cameron. “The message doesn’t even say it’s the football office. But, Clay has a great outlook. He’s working out real hard.”
Peer, who also had some early attention from Boise State, wasn’t too disappointed. He plans on playing for Gavilan College in the fall.
“St. Mary’s would have had to have come up with a big chunk of money,” said Peer, who turned down an offer from New Mexico-Highlands. “It’s expensive. Boise State stopped talking to me when they started winning. I think they were in the top 25. I’m going to try to talk Lee into playing for Gavilan now.”
Speaking of the Rams, former Baler Brandon Almaguer, who starred for Gavilan the past two seasons, is back at Division II Central Missouri State in Warrensburg, Mo. The Fighting Mules have gone 20-4 the past two years under Willie Fritz. Assistant coach Scott Baumgartner recruited Almaguer and Rams teammate Darryl Grace, an offensive lineman.
“Brandon and Darryl are super kids and outstanding students,” said Baumgartner. “Brandon has been working hard in the weight room. He’s up to 205 pounds. We see him on the field for us next year. We run a lot of three, four and five receiver sets. I always ask coaches who coached against guys what they think of him. Everything I heard about Brandon was that he’s a great kid. I think we have a steal.”
Almaguer kicked a 50-yard field goal in practice the other day and may punt and/or placekick for the Fighting Mules, as well.
Another Ram and former Baler, lineman Luke Kuhns, will attend Benedictine College in Atchison, Kan. and play football there.
