PA defensive end favors Big Ten
Hanover (Pa.) Delone Catholic tight end and defensive end Gareth Hissong will be one of the More coveted defensive linemen out of Pennsylvania for 2006.
The 6-foot-3 , 240-pounder has received mail from schools including Iowa, Purdue, Wisconsin, North Carolina, Indiana, Maryland and Kent State. He is also hoping to hear from more Division I football schools in the future.
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This season Hissong helped Delone Catholic to a 5-5 record.
"We started the year with four seniors and ended it with two and we had a lot of potential, but it didn't work out," he said. "I just want to do what I can to help my team and set my goals high next year for college."
Currently, Hissong doesn't have any favorites, so what does he want out of a school?
"Football is number one for me, then it is academics and the people surrounding me and I want to be around good company," Hissong said. "Right now, I'm just looking to see who has the better offer and taking it all in."
Are there any other factors that might play into his recruitment?
"I have a great influence from my parents and grandfather and they are going to help me do what's best for me."
So what does he think makes him stand out?
"I think a lot of it is my hard work and love of the game," he said. "The goals I set and I work hard for them and achieving them, and I do what needs to be done; I'm also a team player."
Hissong grew up a fan of the Big Ten Conference, so would this play a factor in his recruitment?
"I don't know if it would be a factor, but most of those schools are closer to me," he said. "I'm just looking for what's best for me, but I don't mind traveling to Iowa to play ball.
"As long as I'm on the field playing, I'll be happy on any team."
This spring Hissong is looking at attending junior days at Kent State and Purdue.