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Bond
Schleich
Two more Wyoming Valley Conference football standouts made commitments to Division I programs, while another once again switched his college commitment.
Berwick receiver Eric Schleich will accept an offer to play at Colgate. Wyoming Valley West lineman Kevin Bond will play at Georgetown University. Both schools are members of the Patriot League and part of the Football Championship Subdivision, formerly known as Division I-AA.
Meanwhile, Wyoming Area lineman Julian Campenni changed his college choice for a third time in a week. The 6-foot-1, 285-pounder will play at the University of Connecticut. Campenni verbally committed to Bowling Green prior to the season, then switched his commitment to Akron last week before settling on UConn.
Schleich chose Colgate over Cornell and Lafayette. He is the second WVC player to commit to the university in Hamilton, N.Y., joining Tunkhannock lineman Owen Houser.
Bond – a 6-3, 240-pounder – made official visits to Colgate and Valparaiso University in Indiana. He decided on Georgetown after visiting the campus in Washington, D.C., in mid January.
“It’s an unbelievable academic school and the area is beautiful,” Bond said. “I fell in love with it on my official visit.”
Schleich was named to the WVC Coaches Big School All-Star team after an outstanding senior season. He created mismatches with his 6-foot-5 frame, catching 28 passes during the regular season for 517 yards and five touchdowns. His 18.5 yards-per-catch average was second only to Williamsport’s Jared Fagnano (19.5) among players with 15 or more receptions.
“I got along great with the coaches on my visit,” Schleich said. “And it was a perfect fit for me as far as academics and the football program.”
Schleich will make his commitment official this morning, weather permitting, at Berwick High School along with teammate Roy Dennis. Dennis, a two-time all-state defensive lineman, has decided to play at Division II Bloomsburg University.
Like Schleich, Bond was also named to the WVC Coaches Big School All-Star team. He started three years with Valley West, starting out as a tight end before switching to the offensive line. He also started on the defensive line.
“They’re getting someone who is intelligent, understands the game and has a tremendous work ethic,” Valley West coach Pat Keating said. “He is going to live in the weightroom.”
Even though Bond made the WVC Coaches team as an offensive lineman, Georgetown plans on using him on defense. Either way, he believes he is ready for the challenges of playing at the next level.
“I really, really enjoyed playing for the Spartans,” Bond said. “It was an amazing ride. But I feel ready and I’ve been working harder than I ever have in anticipation. Not everybody can play at the next level. I feel really lucky and really blessed to be one of those kids to get that opportunity.”
While Bond will be the only WVC product on the Hoyas roster, Schleich will be joining a Colgate team that had four this past season.
“They’re a couple guys from Hazleton there, a kid from Coughlin there,” Schleich said. “It shows guys can come out of our area and do well at Colgate.”
Colgate finished 7-4 this past season, ending the year with a three-game winning streak. Georgetown was 4-7, losing four games by five points or less including one in double overtime.
Campenni’s switch to UConn will put him in the more prestigious Big East Conference. The Huskies finished 8-5 overall this past season and played in the Fiesta Bowl against Oklahoma.