Colony senior grabs chance to play at the next level

PALMER — During the 2017 prep football season, Colony seniors Jarrett Villastrigo and Parker Kizer helped lead head coach Rhett Magner’s Knights to the Division I state playoffs. But Magner’s relationship with Villastrigo and Kizer began long before they hit the field to play football for Colony High School.

Magner first met the players while working at the MTA Sports Center. Villastrigo and Kizer, both sixth-graders at the time, told Magner they wanted to play at football at the next level.

That dream is now a reality, and both will make the next step in their careers together.

Villastrigo signed his National Letter of Intent to attend Luther University in Decorah, Iowa, and will play football for the NCAA Division III Norse. Kizer inked his intent to join the Norse in December.

“I’ve always wanted to go play at the next level with Parker,” Villastrigo said moments after he made his college plans official on NCAA’s National Signing Day, Wednesday afternoon at Colony High. “We’ve been friends since we were kids. It means the world to me.”

Magner said it was special to see Villastrigo on Wednesday and Kizer in early December achieve their goals. As Magner spoke to the crowd gathered Wednesday, he talked about the first time he met Villastrigo and Kizer.

“(They were) typical sixth-grade kids,” Magner said after the ceremony. “One thing was different. As sixth graders, they were coming to somebody wanting to get better. That doesn’t happen very often.”

Magner said the pair hit the sports center at least two or three times a week until high school, when both joined the football and boys’ basketball teams.

“We’ve got a really good relationship,” Magner said. “That’s why it’s bittersweet to see them go. But at the same time, it’s nice for them to go together.”

Villastrigo, who also considered Rocky Mountain College in Montana and Morningside College in Iowa, is projected to play defensive end at the next level.

“They want to have me as a pass rusher on third downs most of the time my freshman year,” Villastrigo said.

Villastrigo said that’s exactly where he wants to be.

“I always wanted to play defense,” Villastrigo said. “Getting to the quarterback, that’s always been my favorite.”

Magner said he believes the 6-foot-4 Villastrigo can make an impact at that position.

“That’s his forte,” Magner said. “How long he is. He’s fast. He’s agile. He should be successful, especially at that position. That’s where he excels.”

As a senior, Villastrigo led his team with seven sacks, 15 tackles for a loss and three forced fumbles, and was second on the team with 46 tackles. He was named Railbelt Conference Lineman of the Year, first-team All-Railbelt at both offensive tackle and defensive end, and also first-team all-state at both positions. Villastrigo accomplished all after bouncing back from a season-ending injury he suffered early in his junior year. Villastrigo said returning from the injury motivated him.

“It made me realize how special the game is,” Villastrigo said.

Villastrigo’s decision to play for the Norse adds to Colony High’s connection with Luther. In addition to Kizer, Colony boys basketball head coach Tom Berg and assistant football coach Matt Jaronik both graduated from Colony and Luther. Another Colony graduate, Del Ciucci, is currently an assistant on the Luther football staff.

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