An overflow crowd that spilled out of the new Blue Springs South Hall of Fame room into the commons area greeted Dominique Wright, Andrew Dougherty and Ryann Williams as they signed national letters of intent to play football at the collegiate level Friday morning.
“These days are pretty special,” Jaguars football coach Greg Oder said as Wright signed with Division I South Dakota State, Dougherty signed with Division I-AA Alabama State and Williams penned a letter for Division II Panhandle State in Oklahoma.
“To think that a young man can have college paid for by doing something he loves – like playing football – well, isn’t that the American dream? I was really pleased with how well they all handled themselves in front of this many people.
“They’re special kids.”
As they posed for photos and were surrounded by family members and friends, the trio of Jaguars talked about the future.
Wright had shown an interest in the University of Northern Iowa, the same school Blue Springs quarterback Jared Lanpher will attend, but once the Jaguar all-state defensive back visited the South Dakota State campus in Brookings, S.D., he changed his mind.
“You know how you visit someplace and you know that’s the place you were meant to go?” asked Wright. “Well, that’s what it was like for me once I visited South Dakota State. I just knew it was the right place for me.”
Wright, who was a member of The Examiner’s All-Area first team as a defensive back, was also one of the state’s top wide receivers.
“They want me to play wide receiver, and that’s the position I wanted to play in college,” said Wright, whose brother Winston is a defensive back at the University of Missouri. “I can hardly wait. I still have track this spring here at South, and after that I can concentrate on football.”
He grinned, and added, “And we come down to play MU in two years. I can hardly wait.”
Dougherty, a member of The Examiner’s All-Area second team at linebacker, will play linebacker or join the secondary at Alabama State.
“I haven’t played in the secondary since my freshman year in high school, but I’m confident I can play there for Alabama State,” Dougherty said. “And more importantly, the coaches believe I can play there, too. Linebacker or secondary, I’m ready.
“I believe it’s just the perfect fit for me. I’m very excited.”
So is Williams, an honorable mention defensive lineman on The Examiner’s All-Area team.
“It’s so wonderful to know that your football future is in your hands,” Williams said. “I’m probably going to play linebacker in college, and I’m excited about that. I’m just excited that my football career isn’t over with high school and I get the chance to play at the next level.”
