Head coach Dennis Meunier looked on with pride as five of his players signed college football deals Wednesday at St. John Lutheran School.
Among those was reigning Star-Banner Player of the Year Calib Alexander, who decided to attend Meunier's alma mater, Concordia-Chicago University, in hopes of also becoming a coach one day.
The explosive running back posted the best season in Marion County history as a senior, rushing for a record 2,537 yards and 41 touchdowns. He had opportunities to play in a larger division, but the level-headed back said he felt at home on the Chicago campus.
He'll also get a chance to play for St. John Lutheran alum Erich Janousky, who is the Cougars offensive coordinator.
"Concordia came into the picture (late), and there's a whole St. John family up there," explained Alexander, who was close to signing with I-AA Colgate earlier in the recruiting process. "Their offense is ranked (high) in D-III and they are always 9-3 or better every season.
"Plus, they're a church school with good academics. It's more like a family. And winning, of course, is always nice."
The trio of Stephen Bollinger, Jared Schappert and T.J. Mottl signed with I-AA start-up program Stetson, while Josh Knutson chose the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in New York.
The three Stetson-bound players will have a full season to get ready for the rigors of college football before the Hatters begin their inaugural season in 2013.
Bollinger, a 6-foot-5 tight end, battled through injuries during his senior season, hauling in seven passes for 115 yards in limited action.
Schappert (6-2, 235) racked up 63 tackles and five sacks playing on the interior of the Saints defensive line, and Mottl, a 6-foot, 190-pound speed rusher, logged 73 tackles and 14 sacks coming off the edge.
Knutson, a 6-2, 205-pound two-way player for the Saints, posted 69 stops and tied Mottl for the team lead with 14 sacks. He'll take his talents to the Division III Liberty League.
"Here at St. John we may not always have the Division I superstar that's going to sign the first day, but the important thing in coaching kids is to try and find the fit for them where they can be successful," Meunier said. "I tell kids every year ‘if you want to play football past high school, there's a place for you.' It doesn't mean you'll get that Division I scholarship, but there's always a place you can play if you put in the work. These kids have obviously done that."
Alexander will join Lake Weir High graduate Jamal Thomas at Concordia. Thomas, another explosive open-field athlete, led the Cougars in receiving (41 catches for 752 yards), all-purpose yards (814) and scoring with 15 touchdowns as a junior in 2011.
Former St. John linebacker Chris Decker and Vanguard defensive back Malcolm Godwin completed their playing careers at Concordia, which competes in the Northern Athletics Conference, last season.
"We thought Calib was going to Colgate, then at the last minute some other guys were going to Concordia (on a visit)," Meunier explained. "When he went up there and met (Janousky) he decided he wanted to go into coaching... Certainly he's going to be a great addition to their program."
The Saints aren't done either, according to Meunier. The veteran coach says linebacker Danny Meredith and offensive lineman John Klein are likely headed to Stetson, and 6-foot-3 wide receiver Jordan James currently has an offer from Concordia on the table.
"We still have a few guys who are still trying to figure it out," Meunier said.
