Mt. Vernon’s Christian Kiptoo causes a fumble against New Castle.
Tom Russo | Daily Reporter
Some of Hancock County’s bests on the gridiron made their choices official Wednesday as part of college football’s National Signing Day.
The local student-athletes either signed or made intentions to sign soon with schools they will continue their academic and athletic careers.
At Mt. Vernon, defensive end Christian Kiptoo (6-3, 220) signed with Eastern Michigan University of the Mid-American Conference.
As a senior, Kiptoo, an All-Hancock County and All-Hoosier Heritage Conference selection, had 55 total tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss and four sacks. He added one caused fumble and one fumble recovery.
All-county and all-conference kicker Rylan Vinard (6-1, 155) is headed to Terre Haute to play for NCAA Division I FCS school Indiana State University.
Vinard kicked six field goals on eight attempts with a long of 46.
Mt. Vernon’s Indiana Football Coaches Association 4A Senior All-State running back Joliba Brogan (5-10, 190) will be off to Fort Wayne next school year at NAIA’s St. Francis.
Brogan was also named all-county and all-conference. This season, he had 206 carries for 1,151 yards and 13 touchdowns. He accumulated 1,349 all-purpose yards. Brogan rushed for 3,143 yards in his career and 36 touchdowns.
He chose St. Francis over Marian and Georgetown (Ky.).
Marauder wide receiver Gavin Joy (6-0, 170) will play for Hanover College, part of NCAA Division III and the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference.
Joy was Mt. Vernon’s second leading receiver with 24 catches for 244 yards and one touchdown. He also had 108 yards in returns.
Greenfield-Central all-state linebacker Payton Foley made it official by signing with Butler University.
Foley (6-2, 235) caused two fumbles, had three fumble recoveries, 5.5 sacks, 79 total tackles and 11.5 tackles for loss as a Cougar senior linebacker/defensive end.
Foley, another all-county and All-HHC selection, chose Butler, part of the FCS Pioneer League, over Valparaiso, Dayton, St. Thomas, Morehead State and Hampton.
Greenfield-Central head football coach Travis Nolting said quarterback Dallas Freeman, the program’s all-time leader in passing yards (3,550), has not made his announcement official, but has offers from NAIA and NCAA Division III programs.
Freeman was also named all-state, all-county and all-conference.
New Palestine head football coach Kyle Ralph said he expects senior offensive lineman Landon Seib (6-0, 265) to sign soon with St. Francis, and all-state wide receiver Austin McMahan (6-2, 168) to make his decision sometime after he concludes his basketball season.
New Palestine all-state defensive lineman Michael Thacker (6-1, 268), the Hancock County Defensive Player of the Year, graduated at mid-term and has enrolled at Ball State University, where he’ll join a pair of former Dragons, including his brother, wide receiver Isaiah Thacker, and running back Charlie Spegal.
Eastern Hancock did not announce any football signees, but did report two commitments. Girls basketball player Camryn Andrus plans to play basketball at Manchester University. Softball pitcher McKenna Stewart has committed to Central Connecticut State University.
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