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Wyoming Area’s Ryan Gorki just wants to play quarterback. That’s why he picked Juniata College to continue his football career.
The Wyoming Area senior announced Monday, March 30 he will be playing for Juniata College, which is located in Huntingdon. The college sits roughly 30 miles south of State College.
Other colleges Gorki considered wanted him to play running back or wide receiver. At Wyoming Area, Gorki was the team’s do-it-all offensive player, but he was the team’s primary quarterback. That’s what he wanted to continue to do.
Gorki picked Juniata because they want him to play quarterback.
“They said you’re definitely going to play quarterback,” Gorki said. “I just wanted to find the best fit for me. Juniata took a big interest in me and when I went for my visit I knew it was perfect for me.”
Gorki played his first two years of high school football at Coughlin. He then transferred to Wyoming Area, where he was a key figure in the team’s success over the past two seasons.
In his senior season, Gorki completed 53 percent of his passes for 342 yards and two touchdowns. He threw five interceptions. The senior ran for another 44 yards.
Wyoming Area coach Randy Spencer said the Eagles are getting so much more than an athlete.
“He’s a hard worker and leadership-wise he couldn’t be better,” Spencer said. “He’s a really high-character kid and he has those core values any college program is looking for. He’ll fit right in regardless of what position.”
During his time at Wyoming Area, Gorki suffered through two 3-7 seasons. He said it made him a better person because of it.
“I couldn’t have asked for more from Wyoming Area,” he said. “Everyone took me in and accepted me. It was a great school to go to and it was a great program.”
During last year’s 5-5 campaign, Juniata’s Ward Udinski threw for nearly 3,000 yards and ran for another 700. He had 35 total touchdowns. However, he was a senior.
Two other quarterbacks threw a pass for Juniata last season for a total of nine completions.
“It’s really exciting to thing I could be playing quarterback at that level,” Gorki said. “They were the only team to give me a set position.”
Gorki said he will be studying secondary education with hopes of being a social studies teacher or a counselor. He is the son of Beverly and Ronald Gorki, Exeter.