Colony linemen commit to rival college football programs

PALMER — Colony seniors Austin Gilland and Ryan Wharry have been playing football together since the youth ranks. Next season Gilland and Wharry will be rivals.

The Colony senior offensive linemen have each committed to college football programs in the NAIA North Star Athletic Association. Gilland will play for Presentation College in Aberdeen, South Dakota. Wharry has committed to Valley City State in Valley City, North Dakota.

“It’ll be really exciting playing against him,” Gilland said recently.

Gilland, who could potentially play either offense or defense for the NAIA program, was courted by other schools, but Presentation rose to the top based on the interest they showed in him, Gilland said.

“They met with me on a personal level,” Gilland said.

Gilland played several different positions with the Knights, and could play either offensive or defensive tackle with the Saints. His preference, Gilland said, is to play on the offensive side.

“It’s more of a controlled power. You have to be more level-headed, but you definitely get to go out and kick some butt,” Gilland said.

Gilland’s versatility with the Knights could help the 6-foot-6 lineman at the next level.

“The team needed me for a couple of positions I was able to play all over, mainly because I knew all of the jobs,” Gilland said.

Gilland will have the option to redshirt as a freshman.

Gilland plans to study business while at Presentation. He also aims to study architecture in the future.

Wharry was also pursued by a handful of programs, including at least three in the NSAA. Wharry said connections to the program and recommendations to attend the school are among the reasons why he chose Valley City. One of Wharry’s former Colony teammates, Riley Fredrickson, is a linebacker with the Vikings, and will be a sophomore next season.

“(We’re) good friends. I’m excited to go play with him,” Wharry said recently.

Wharry said former Colony head football coach Brian McIntosh also praised the program.

Valley City recruited Wharry to play on the offensive line, and could play either center or guard.

“I don’t really have a preference. I’ll do whatever helps the team,” Wharry said.

Overall, Wharry said he’s excited about the chance to play college football.

“I couldn’t be more thrilled about this opportunity,” Wharry said.

Wharry plans to study journalism and mass communications while at Valley City.

“My dream is to become a sports broadcaster on (television), and start my own show in Alaska,” Wharry said.

Colony head coach Rhett Magner touted the potential for both players.

“It’s exciting for those two,” Magner said.

Magner said Gilland is player who worked his way into the right situations, and proved to be a big part of Colony’s success along the front line.

“He really came on strong for us,” Magner said. “He did some good stuff for us.”

With a 6-6 frame, Magner said Gilland has a lot of potential.

“He has an exciting future,” Magner said.

Magner commended Wharry for battling through injuries during the 2015 season, and doing whatever he could to help the Knights win the Railbelt Conference title.

“He fought through some pretty serious injuries and played both ways for us,” Magner said. “Valley City really lucked out with Ryan.”

Magner said he foresees Wharry playing center for the Vikings.

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