Senior running back breaks on to college level

PALMER — Skye Rench may not be the biggest or the fastest running back, but the Colony senior has a knack for chewing up yardage. Whether he broke tackles or made opponents miss, Rench got the job done for the Colony Knights.

Now he has the chance to do the same at the next level. Rench has committed to NAIA Valley City State and will play college football for the North Dakota school in the fall.

“I’ve been waiting for a long time for this,” Rench said. “Ever since I started (playing football) I knew I wanted to play college football.”

Rench rushed for 1,135 yards and 15 touchdowns as a senior and helped the Knights advance to the 4A state semifinals. Much of that yardage was gained by Rench breaking tackles or making opponents miss.

“Tackle to tackle, he’s one of the hardest runners I’ve ever seen,” Colony head coach Brian McIntosh said.

While he was putting together a highlight film for Rench, McIntosh said he found a touchdown Rench scored in a playoff win over Dimond.

“He was on the 3-yard line going in for the touchdown and the guy had him dead in the water. There was only a little hole for (Skye) to get through, and the guy didn’t even get a hand on him,” McIntosh said. “He just makes (people) miss.”

McIntosh said the build and ability of Rench help allow him to have success.

“He has a good center of balance,” McIntosh said. “He creates opportunities.”

Rench rushed for more than 100 yards seven times during his senior season and passed the 160-yard mark three times. Rench scored three touchdowns against both Wasilla and Dimond, and recorded four touchdowns against Palmer.

McIntosh believes Rench has what it takes to have success on the next level.

“I think Valley City can groom him into a great running back,” McIntosh said.

Rench said he considered other schools, such as Montana Tech, but Valley City proved to be the right fit. He also has the potential to see playing time as a freshman.

Valley City football has built a virtual pipeline to Alaska, drawing talent from the 49th state during each offseason. More than a half-dozen Alaskans are currently on the Viking roster, and Valley City had about 20 players from Alaska just two years ago. Valley City state coaches have also been staples at the All-Alaska Camp, hosted annually by Colony each summer.