Humphrey signed a letter of intent last Friday to
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attend William Jewell College in Liberty
Gallatin High School senior Jake Humphrey, son of Dr. Stan and Jan
Humphrey, became the second Bulldog athlete this month to join the
ranks of football signees in the Heart of America Athletic
Conference. Humphrey signed a letter of intent last Friday to
attend William Jewell College in Liberty, where he will play
football this fall.
Humphrey joins classmate Robert Heldenbrand in the HAAC.
Heldenbrand signed recently to play football at Graceland
University.
Humphrey, an all-district and 2-time first team all-Grand River
Conference punter, will handle similar duties with the WJC
Cardinals.
“We liked what we saw in Jake and the fact that he has been working
hard in the off-season,” said Cardinal offensive coordinator Adam
Dorrel, who came to GHS Friday to lock up the Cards’ latest signee.
“We don’t have a punter on our team right now,” he said at Friday’s
signing ceremony, “and Jake is the only one we will sign,” he
added.
Humphrey’s consistency has been remarkable in his high school
career. He averaged 39.9 yards per punt as a junior and came back
his senior year with a 39-yard average. However, distance isn’t his
only strength.
“We didn’t punt very much this year because of the kind of year we
had,” said GHS head football coach Kevin Hixson. “In fact, I don’t
think Jake got the opportunity to punt through the first three
weeks of the season,” he added. “He had a 52-yarder against Rock
Port and three of at least 50 yards against Princeton. Jake’s
accuracy and placement were phenomenal. He put the ball exactly
where we asked him to put it,” his coach stated.
Coach Dorrel, who was an all-American offensive lineman at NWMSU,
believes Humphrey’s athletic abilities could be utilized at another
position, as well. Humphrey also played quarterback and wide
receiver in his high school career.
“I personally think he can be a receiver, too,” said Dorrel. “We’ll
see what happens down the road,” he added. “He’s just a good
athlete and a good kid. We’re happy to have him.
Jake said he is looking forward to the invitation to play football
at the college level.
“This is a good opportunity for me. I’m looking forward to the
challenge,” he said. “The coaches we’ve met are great,” he added.
William Jewell finished 4-6 in 2001 under the direction of first-
year head coach and former All-HAAC Cardinal David Bassore. William
Jewell’s schedule expands to 11 games in 2002, six at home.