One heads to Alamosa while the other heads to McPherson, but
both with the same mission — to play college football.
Elizabeth High School senior David Van Voris signed his letter
of intent with Adams State on May 7 and teammate Brendon Anderson
signed with McPherson College.
Van Voris was signed as a kicker for the Grizzlies. With some
encouragement from his brother, he started kicking a few years ago
and instantly fell in love with it. He also plays soccer, which
helps with leg strength.
“When I play soccer on the weekends I will kick the ball really
high because I’m thinking I’m playing football,” he said.
Other than working out and hitting the weight room to prepare
over the summer for college ball, Van Voris also plays on the
semi-professional football team called the Springs Flames out of
Colorado Springs. Not only will he have extra practice on the
field, he will also be learning from former professionals.
“There are former NFL players and former college players on the
team,” he said “And their kicking coach has already helped me a
lot.”
David said as long as he remembers one thing, he should be in
good shape at the college level.
“I have to keep my head down,” he said. “You want to look at it
but you have to keep your head down so the ball will go
straight.”
Van Voris does have one ultimate goal.
“I want to be able to make a 60-yard field goal in college
because I want that on paper so it shows that I can kick that far,”
he said.
Van Voris plans to study psychology at Adams State and hopes to
eventually play in the NFL.
His former Cardinal teammate Anderson will be joining two other
athletes at McPherson College in the fall, Luke Dillavou and Ethan
McKenny.
Anderson signed as an offensive tackle with the Bulldogs and is
currently working to put on some weight before the fall season to
try and match up physically with the college players. He said as a
senior he weighed in at 260 pounds and then dropped to 215 pounds
for wrestling. He is making his way back up to 270 pounds, weighing
in at 230 right now.
“Their defense is pretty big. They are my height but a lot
stronger,” he said.
Even if Anderson may be a little smaller than his future
teammates, it doesn’t bother him. He said he is just excited to
play against the college guys and get that experience. He does
admit being a little nervous about college overall and being able
to juggle football and academics.
Anderson plans on majoring in physical education with a minor in
business. He said he wants to be a gym teacher and if that does not
work out he will have business to fall back on.
Although his high school football career is over he will always
remember his coaches and the lessons they taught him.
“I learned a lot from my coaches,” he said. “They taught us
about determination and hard work.”
