Colony linebacker commits to national-ranked JC program

PALMER — Colony head coach Brian McIntosh sees all the right qualities in senior Austin Rench, his standout linebacker who capped his CHS football career in the fall.

Now McIntosh is excited to see Rench have the opportunity to further develop those talents, and Rench is thrilled to realize one of his biggest goals.

Rench recently committed to Central Lakes College, a national-ranked junior college football program based in Brainerd, Minn.

“It’s been my dream my whole life,” Rench said of his chance to play college football.

Rench, who has the opportunity to play immediately for the top-10 junior college program, has aspirations of playing Division I or Division II football following his time with the Raiders. Playing for an NCAA 2-year feeder program such as Central Lakes may help Rench do that.

“I know this is a step in the right direction,” McIntosh said.

McIntosh said he likes that Rench is starting his college career at a smaller school.

“It’s a great fit for him, the smaller school,” McIntosh said. “Alaska kids tend to do very well in smaller schools.”

Rench said he feels Central Lakes is a good place to take the next step in his career.

“I want to go to a school and get bigger and better,” Rench said. “It’s a good opportunity for me.”

McIntosh praised Rench for his work ethic and time spent off the field working to become a better player.

“He’s a beast in the weight room,” McIntosh said. “He’s just so dedicated.”

That work, McIntosh said, translated to the field.

“He was the heart and soul (of our defense),” McIntosh said of Rench, a first-team all-state linebacker. “We had a great defense this year. He was the leader. He was the heart and soul.”

Rench could play either middle or outside linebacker at Central Lakes.

“Obviously, he can do well in the middle, but his technique on the outside (is also strong). He uses the outside technique extremely well,” McIntosh said.

Rench said he prefers the outside.

“I’ve played it my whole life,” Rench said.

Rench also considered Snow College, another junior college program. Eastern Oregon and Eastern Arizona also contacted him, Rench said.

Rench said he’ll be able to compete for playing time when he enters the program as a freshman.

“They told me I could compete for playing time immediately,” Rench said. “I have a chance to start right away.”

After suffering a loss in its 2012 season-opener, Central Lakes won 10 straight to finish with a 10-1 record. The Raiders finished the season ranked 10th in the final national junior college poll of the season. Central Lakes beat Rochester 33-23 to win the Minnesota College Athletic Conference in November.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.