HAYS - Three players from this past fall's Hays High football team have signed to play collegiate football. Kaiden Bunger joins Will Linenberger and Malik Bah has college signees. Bunger signed a National Letter of Intent to play at Bethany College in Lindsborg, KS.
The stories from coaches were mostly fun and light hearted about a kid who kept things light on the team. Coach Tony Crough then went on to note there is nothing light about his senior offensive lineman's work ethic and style of play.
"Everyone has always counted me out. Everyone always said 'I'm too small to do anything.' Having that behind you...that I'm going to flip this switch and show all these people that I'm for real" Bunger said. That was the motivation he needed to go out and play an aggressive style of football.
When it came to choosing Bethany over other programs it was all in the feel. "They have that home feel. They are a tight community."
He also likes the new position he will be playing. Bunger will play in a fullback/block tight end roll. With a laugh he says he has already asked for the ball.
Crough hopes the younger guys in the program can use Bunger as an example of how far hard work can really take a player.
Bunger was the right guard for a team this last fall that rushed for 2,051 yards over ten games during a 7-3 season. A four year member of the football team, Bunger saw four Western Athletic Conference titles.
He was also a starter during a junior season when the Indians rushed for 3,493 yards on a 10-2 season. A year that saw Hays High set the school record for single season wins and make the sub-state championship game.