Three Chiefs sign letters of intention

by Pam ROBEL<br>Herald Sports Editor
| February 7, 2007 8:00 PM

Moses Lake players sign up for chance of a lifetime

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake High School celebrated a momentous occasion this morning.

Three Chiefs signed letters of intent to play football in the fall.

BJ Guerra's entrance into the ranks of the NCAA has been in the works for some time but fellow Chiefs Ryan Carpenter and Casey Secrist were surprise signers who were just given word of their offers last week. Carpenter was offered a spot on the Central Washington University squad and Secrist has been offered a position at Weber State University.

"Obviously this is a milestone for our program," said Moses Lake head football coach Greg Kittrell.

The interest in these players, who played on a team that played well into the playoffs, highlights the program Kittrell and his coaching staff have been creating over the years.

"This helps our program and it gets coaches to come out and look at us," said Kittrell. "But the biggest impact will be for these kids."

Kittrell emphasized that his players being picked up as part of the letter-signing process are not only outstanding football players but upstanding members of the community and examples for the underclassmen of what can happen if a player is dedicated to his sport and academics.

"These three have showed the rest of the team that being fit year-round, working in the weight room and in the classroom and going out and selling themselves — striding for a goal — can get you where you want to go," said Kittrell.

Carpenter, who set school records this season for scoring, is the best running back Kittrell says he has ever had.

"Ryan is an exceptional athlete," said Kittrell. "Back in middle school he realized that sports just came naturally to him, that he's a gifted kid, a cerebral kid, and he just came to realize what he had to do to play at the next level. I think Central has a special kid in Ryan."

Secrist, a defensive linemen, did his homework over the summer to find the best fit for him. According to Kittrell, he went campus to campus with his parents over the summer and gave coaches a chance to see him in person.

"Casey is 6'4", 285. He has it but it's different when coaches see that in person and get a chance to see how big you really are," said Kittrell. "Casey did a great job of selling himself. Coaches say you have to have a great desire to play at the next level and Casey has it."

Guerra has been on the college radar for some time, having verbally committed to Washington State University during the football season, and is now looking toward the movement to Pullman.

"BJ doesn't realize his talent. He is humble and a great guy to be around," said Kittrell. "It will be fun to see how much he will grow when he is challenged at WSU."

Kittrell added that he felt BJ, who has been an example for his teammates on the field and in the classroom, has a unique opportunity to play at a great university.

"For these kids the commitment can be a little scary but it can also be a great experience," said Kittrell.