Darrick Strzelecki signs letter of intent to play football for William Jewell College in Liberty, Mo.

— As his teammates, whom he praised, watched during a ceremony Wednesday, Darrick Strzelecki signed a letter of intent to play football with William Jewell College at Liberty, Mo.

The 185 pound running back, who was a major contributing Gravette Lion during his high school years at Gravette, signed with the four-year liberal arts college, trading his orange Lion for a red Cardinal, the emblem of the college located near Kansas City.

Strzelecki was a stellar player for the Lions as they completed a 10-3 season with two wins in the state playoffs before dropping a 20-13 quarter final game to Dollarway of Pine Bluff.

He was named an All-State player his juniorand senior years, as well as gaining All-Conference honors. He was named to the 1-4A All Star Game squad and was finalist for the Farm Bureau offensive player for 2011.

Statistics for the 5’8” dynamo show he gained 1,856 yards on 349 carries for an average of 5.33 yards per carry during his senior year under Coach Bill Harrelson, who introduced the young man at the signing.

Strzelecki scored 180 points with 30 TDs, 4 of them coming against Pea Ridge during the regular season and 4 against the Warren Lumberjacks in the state playoffs, where he rushed for 248 yards in the 48-33 victory.

William Jewell, which began as a Baptist college in 1849, became independent in 2003 and is attended by 1,100 students. Its website indicates Strzelecki intends to major in religious studies.

Sports, Pages 9 on 03/21/2012