Western Oregon snaps up Colony senior

COLONY -- Curtis Shirley, a Colony High school standout on the offensive line and special teams, signed a national letter of intent on Tuesday to join the Western Oregon University football squad next season.

Shirley, a two-year starter for the Knights, is expected to play, not only on the offensive line, but serve as one of the Wolves' long snappers. At the end of the 2003 season, in which he helped lead his club to the second round of the 4A state playoffs, Shirley was named the first-team All-Northern Railbelt Conference long snapper and second team All-State long snapper. Shirley said that his long snapping attracted the interest of several larger schools, but he ultimately chose the Division II program that competes in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference.

"Teams are always looking for a good long snapper," Shirley said.

According to Shirley, he also considered a handful of Division III schools with Willamette and Redlands College among his other choices.

Shirley was recruited by Western Oregon assistant coach Todd Bowman, a former college teammate of Colony defensive coordinator Jamie Mayo.

In addition to long snapping, Shirley is expected to play on the offensive line. Shirley, who started at both tackle and center for the Knights during his career, said he may be leaning toward center as his choice position for the future.

"After switching I am leaning toward center, I am more comfortable," Shirley said.

Colony head coach Randy Magner said with his size and smarts, Shirley has potential to do well on the offensive line at the next level.

"He's a cerebral offensive lineman," Magner said. "He definitely has the potential to get up over 300 pounds next year. At 6-foot-5, he can carry that real easily."

Shirley said his first task will be hitting the weight room and putting more weight on his 6-5 frame.

"I want to put on 30-40 pounds as fast as I can," Shirley said.

The future Wolf is expecting his new training regiment supplied by the Western Oregon coaching staff to arrive any day.

Shirley is the second Valley football player to sign with a program in the GNAC in the last two weeks. Palmer's Junior Aumavae inked an intent to play with Western Washington next season. Shirley will join other Alaskans on the WOU roster. James Watts (Wasilla) is a sophomore running back, Javon Allen (Eielson) is a junior defensive back and Josh Dubowski (North Pole) is a junior offensive lineman.