Many area athletes have moved on to the next level
Clark County is proud of its high school football, and for some local players, it becomes a future on Saturdays playing college football.
Here are Clark County graduates who are playing college football at the Football Bowl Series (FBS) or Football Championship Series (FCS) — commonly known as NCAA Division I — this fall.
Roldan Alcobendas
High school: Camas
College: Eastern Washington
Position: Kicker
The 6-foot, 175-pound junior shares time with Jordan Dascalo at kicker for Eastern Washington this season. Alcobendas went 6-for-6 on extra point kicks in the Eagles’ 2016 opener against Washington State. Alcobendas didn’t play in 2015, as he was recovering from knee surgery. Alcobendas was named as EWU’s starter as a redshirt freshman in 2014, but injured his knee early in the season during a kickoff and sat out the remainder of the year.
Brody Bagnall
High school: Evergreen
College: Air Force
Position: Linebacker
The 6-2, 230-pound sophomore didn’t play last season, and didn’t see action in the Falcons’ 2016 season opener.
Zak Browning
High school: Union
College: Southern Utah
Position: Linebacker
Browning a junior, retired in August from football because of injuries. Browning was a standout his first two years at Southern Utah, earning all-Big Sky honors as a sophomore after leading the team in tackles as a freshman.
Trent Cowan
High school: Union
College: Idaho
Position: Tight end
The 6-foot-3, 225-pound senior became a prolific part of Idaho’s offense during his junior season, catching 48 passes for 624 yards and four touchdowns. Cowan’s 624 yards ranked fourth among all FBS tight ends in 2015. Cowan played in all but two games as a freshman and sophomore. Cowan’s brother Bobby was a former All-American punter at Idaho.
Zach Eagle
High school: Camas
College: Eastern Washington
Position: Receiver
The 5-8, 165-pound redshirt sophomore played sparingly in 2015, making three receptions for 68 yards. Eagle, son of Camas football coach Jon Eagle, didn’t play in EWU’s 2016 opener as he was sidelined for a couple weeks during preseason camp with a lower leg injury. Eagle was coming off a big spring, where in one scrimmage he had 10 catches for 105 yards.
Kobey Eaton
High school: Evergreen
College: Montana
Position: Receiver
The 6-3, 185-pound redshirt freshman is expected to see action as reserve receiver this season. Eaton played on special teams in the Grizzlies’ season opener.
Josh Emmy
High school: Skyview
College: Washington State
Position: Defensive back
Emmy is a 5-8, 165-pound sophomore who is a walk-on for the Cougars.
Isaac Ennis
High school: Columbia River
College: Portland State
Position: Offensive line
The 6-4, 285-pound redshirt freshman is a walk-on who participated on the Vikings’ scout team last season.
Rey Green
High school: Evergreen
College: Montana
Position: Running back
Green, a 5-11 190-pound freshman, signed with Montana in February, and did not play in the Grizzlies’ 2016 opener.
Nathan Hawthorne
High school: Columbia River
College: Portland State
Position: Receiver
The 5-9, 185-pound receiver originally walked on at Oregon, before transferring to Portland State. Hawthorne played special teams in the Vikings’ 2016 season opener.
Reilly Hennessey
High school: Camas
College: Eastern Washington
Position: Quarterback
The 6-3, 200-pound redshirt sophomore heads into the 2016 season as the Eagles’ No. 2 quarterback, behind Gage Gubrud. Hennessey saw significant action as a redshirt freshman, playing in five games, including two starts. Hennessey passed for 773 yards and four touchdowns in 2015. Hennessey was named to the 2015 Big Sky all-Academic team.
Parker Henry
High school: Skyview
College: Washington State
Position: Nickel defensive back
The 5-11, 205-pound senior has emerged in WSU’s program from a walk-on to a starting defensive back. Henry started seven games in 2015, and ranked fourth on the Cougars in tackles with 71, of which 6 1/2 were for a loss. Henry tied the season’s team high with 14 tackles in a game against Arizona State. Henry, who had six tackles in WSU’s season opener against Eastern Washington, played on special teams as a freshman and sophomore.
Kedrick Johnson
High school: Hockinson
College: Eastern Washington
Position: Safety
The 6-3, 200-pound freshman signed with the Eagles in February. Johnson was a first-team Class 2A all-state at receiver, but he’ll play on defense in college.
Ryan Johnson
High school: Mountain View
College: Montana
Position: Defensive end
The 6-3, 250-pound senior had 33 tackles as a junior, third most among Montana returnees this season. Johnson also contributed in other ways in 2015, including an interception, two pass breakups, three pass deflections and five sacks. Johnson also played as a freshman and sophomore.
Rudolph Mataia
High school: Evergreen
College: Eastern Washington
Position: Defensive line
The 6-3, 250-pound freshman signed with Eastern Washington in February, and is expected to redshirt this season.
Taylor Nelson
High school: Union
College: Southern Utah
Position: Linebacker
The 6-3, 230-pound junior is coming off a big 2015 season, when Browning had 94 tackles, including 57 solos. As a freshman, Nelson played in five games. Nelson had 10 tackles, 2 1/2 for losses, in the Thunderbirds’ 2016 opener against Utah.
John Norcross
High school: Camas
College: Portland State
Position: Linebacker
The 6-1, 220-pound junior earned starting time, and played in every game, during his freshman and sophomore seasons. Norcross had 28 tackles last year, including a career-high 13 against Idaho State. Norcross also had 28 tackles as a freshman. Norcross played as a reserve in PSU’s 2016 season opener.
Erik Powell
High school: Seton Catholic
College: Washington State
Position: Kicker
The 6-1, 195-pound junior is entrenched as WSU’s regular kicker. As a sophomore, Powell hit 20 of 26 field goal tries, and ranked sixth in the Pac-12 in scoring. Powell hit four field goals longer than 40 yards, including a season-best 47-yarder. Powell was a part-time starter as a freshman. In the Cougars’ 2016 opener, Powell went 6-of-6 on extra points and missed a field goal.
James Price
High school: Camas
College: Wyoming
Position: Receiver
The 6-2, 210-pound sophomore played as a true freshman at Wyoming, making 12 catches for 143 yards. Price figures prominently in the Cowboys’ plans this fall after making at least one reception in his final five games last season. Of note: Price majors in chemical engineering.
Hayden Schuh
High school: Skyview
College: Washington
Position: Defensive back
The 6-foot, 200-pound senior is expected to play as a reserve and special teamer this season. Schuh played in 11 games in 2015, mostly on special teams. Schuh also played in 2014, mostly on the kickoff squad.
Glenn Whearty
High school: Skyview
College: Portland State
Position: Offensive line
The 6-2, 270-pound redshirt freshman is hoping to earn some playing time this fall for the Vikings.
Jerrin Williams
High school: Evergreen
College: Montana
Position: Safety
The 6-2, 205-pound redshirt freshman sat out last season, and played in a reserve role in the Grizzlies’ 2016 season opener.
