Kansas program finds all-around athlete in senior at Colony High School

PALMER — During his four years with the Colony High School football program, Matt Jaronik played nearly everywhere.

The all-purpose standout was a running back, wide receiver and defensive back through the course of his prep career. Jaronik was always a threat on special teams and spent his senior year calling the shots as the Knights varsity quarterback.

That experience at a variety of positions set Jaronik up for his next opportunity. Jaronik has signed a National Letter of Intent to play football at the University of St. Mary in Leavenworth, Kan.

Jaronik doesn’t know exactly what position he’ll line up at when he suits up for the Spires, but is excited about the chance to play early for the NAIA program.

“The coach is bringing me down as an athlete,” Jaronik said.

Jaronik said his first choice would be receiver, the position he spent two seasons at in the Knights program. But thanks to his chance to play a number of positions during his days at Colony, Jaronik feels he has a shot at a few different areas.

“My versatility doesn’t limit me to one thing. If I’m not successful at one position, I can move to another. The fact that I’ve played everywhere gives me a better feel for the game.”

Jaronik could line up on the defensive side of the ball and play in the defensive backfield. The USM coaching staff also didn’t rule out the potential for him to play quarterback, Jaronik said.

“I’m open to the possibility,” Jaronik said. “I’ll put all my effort in if that’s the case. I haven’t really thought about it in detail. We’ll see what happens.”

Jaronik also considered Morningside College, an NAIA power based in Sioux City, Iowa, that finished in the top five in the nation and went deep into the NAIA playoffs. Jaronik said the opportunity to play early in his career at St. Mary was a deciding factor.

“It would have been the thing, maybe I’d earn a spot, maybe I’d sit until I was a junior,” Jaronik said of Morningside. “I really wanted to play (early). At St. Mary there’s really good potential for me to have an opportunity to contribute early.”

Jaronik said he will major in secondary education with a minor in coaching. He hopes to come back to Alaska, preferably Colony, and coach football.

As a senior, Jaronik accounted for more than 1,300 yards of total offense and 17 touchdowns. The quarterback threw for 830 yards and 13 scores. He had nearly a 3-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Jaronik also ran for 528 yards and four scores.

Following his senior year, Jaronik was appropriately named the large-schools utility player of the year by the Alaska State Football Coaches Association.

“He’s doing it in all three phases,” Colony head coach Jamie Mayo said during the 2009 season. “He’s doing a great job on special teams, a great job at quarterback and he’s the last line on defense.”

In addition to being tabbed as the top utility player in the state, Jaronik was also named to the first team at both defensive back and punt returner.

From his spot in the defensive backfield, Jaronik helped lead a Colony defense that allowed only 55.8 passing yards per game and a state-low 9.9 points per game during the regular season.

On special teams, Jaronik’s highlights included a school-record 92-yard punt return for a touchdown during a win over Kodiak.

As the leader of the Colony offense, the Knights put the ball in Jaronik’s hands during 56 percent of their offensive plays.