On Wednesday Owensboro football said farewell to some of its most prominent players in 2021, as Ryland Chaney, Maurice Moorman and Lucas Hartz all signed their letters of intent to their respective colleges.
Chaney will make his way to Brevard College, Moorman will become a Blue Raider at Lindsey Wilson and Hartz will join the Tigers of Campbellsville University.
Chaney was a key lineman for the Red Devils in his four years with Owensboro, most recently helping protect his running backs and quarterback to an offense that averaged almost 200 yards rushing per game and 110 passing yards per game.
The lineman is thrilled to have the recruiting process behind him and said that he feels as though Brevard College will be a home away from home.
“Someone once told me “go where they love you” and of all the colleges I visited, the only place that felt most like home and had built the same culture and camaraderie I’m used to here at Owensboro High School was the coaching staff at Brevard College,” Chaney said.
On top of the relationship he had built with the coaching staff there, Chaney said that their recent success is the product of a program on the rise that he wants to contribute to.
“Coach Bill Khayat arrived at the program in 2017 and has turned the team into a constant .500 team that got invited to and won its first bowl game,” Chaney said. “He’s brought in many high level coaches including the one I’ll be working with, Coach Everett Lindsay. He’s an awesome coach and person to be around and just talk to, I’m very excited to work with him and the program.”
While playing Chaney plans to pursue a career as a mental conditioning coach for world class athletes, as he will be studying psychology at Brevard.
Hartz played both ways for the Red Devils in 2021, serving as a receiver and defensive back. Following a solid senior season, Hartz is excited to take his talents to the next level.
“It felt like home to me and I really liked the coaching staff,” Hartz said. “They are really a team that treat each other like family and that’s what really got my attention.”
While Hartz is playing he will be focusing on staying in sports long after his playing days, noting that he will be studying sports medicine and therapy.
Moorman was a gamechanger for Owensboro last season, serving as a solid wide receiver and defensive back while being an absolute terror on special teams. Coming off a season in which he had a kickoff return for a touchdown and six punt return touchdowns, Moorman is ready to play at the collegiate level at Lindsey Wilson.
“I chose this school because when I went on the visit the coaching staff made me feel like I was home and that I belong there,” Moorman said. “The program stood out to me because of the NAIA championships they’ve won and the coaches were just all nice and made me feel comfortable being there.”
Head Coach Jay Fallin had nothing but praise for the trio of seniors during their signing, noting the impact they’ve made on the program and the example they’ve set for other student athletes for the Red Devils.
“Each of the three young men who made their college decisions official today have had a profound impact on our program,” Fallin said. “The fact that each of them have committed to continuing their education and football careers at great institutions of higher-learning is a credit to their commitment to doing things the right way. We are excited to watch and support over the years to come as they go on to great success at the next level.”
All three shared the sentiment that Owensboro football has left a major impact on them as well, acknowledging that while they are ready for the next step in their lives, they’ll always cherish their time as Red Devils.
“I’m going to miss the friendships I have made, the mentors I have trusted, and the field where we were victorious,” Chaney said. “I will truly miss my offensive line as I start my new chapter in football. I’m also truly thankful for the teachers who helped continue my education and make this possible.”
