It’s rare for a high school football team to send a player to a NCAA Division I team.
Nixa did it three times in two years.
Running back Alec Murphy is on scholarship at Mississippi State. This spring, tight end Chase Allen signed with Iowa State and highly-touted kicker/punter Logan Tyler signed with Florida State. On top of that, six more Eagles signed with college football teams in lower divisions.
“We’ve been lucky to have some good players, that’s for sure. We’ve had some really athletic young men that work hard and play hard, and are good kids,” Nixa coach Richard Rehagen said.
According to ScholarshipStats.com, an estimated 1.12 million kids play high school football in the United States. There are 129 teams in NCAA Division I, and those teams may award 85 scholarships each, for a total of 10,965 scholarships. That means that slightly less than one percent of high school football players are awarded Division I scholarships.
Three of the few are from Nixa. Rehagen chalks it up to coincidence.
“We’re just lucky to have them, that’s the way I look at it. We’re lucky to have those type of players,” Rehagen said.
Having elite college prospects can be an inspiration to other, younger players to work hard in practice.
“I think they watch those guys go and get some opportunities on beyond that are pretty good,” Rehagen said.
Nixa finished the 2015 season 7-6 with a district championship capped with a 48-46 loss to Carthage in Class 5 playoff quarterfinals.
Photos: Nixa vs. Webb City football
The Eagles are tasked with replacing eight college players from the Class of 2016, but returns a good backfield duo in running back Nicos Oropeza and quarterback Andrew Rivera.
Oropeza led the Eagles in rushing last season with 1,654 yards and 21 touchdowns on 292 carries for an average of 5.7 yards per carry.
“Nicos Oropeza is coming back. He’ll be a three-year starter for us. We’re counting on him to be one of our leaders,” Rehagen said.
Rivera entered the lineup when Tyler struggled through a torn meniscus. Rivera completed 48 of 80 passes (60 percent) for 752 yards, six touchdowns and just one interception. Rivera also rushed for three touchdowns.
“(Rivera) finished the year for us. I think he had five starts last year,” Rehagen said.
Nixa opens the 2016 season at home Aug. 19 against Willard.
Nixa All-American makes it official with Florida State