CEDAR CITY — Four Canyon View High School seniors and another athlete from Parowan High recently signed letters of intent to play football at the collegiate level.

On Feb. 8, Canyon View quarterback Jaxon Jensen and wide receiver Traie Buhler both signed to play for McPherson College, a private four-year college in McPherson, Kansas.

Three weeks later, on Feb. 29, running back Lincoln Rushton signed to play for Southern Utah University, while linebacker Scotty Irons signed to join the St. George Eagles, Utah’s first private junior college football team.

“These four were relentless with their work ethic,” Canyon View head coach Burke Miller said of the players. “They bought into our culture of high expectations and hard work. They were dedicated to setting and achieving goals. College football being one of those.”

In the foursome’s senior season last fall, the Falcons went 9-3 overall, losing in the 3A semifinals to eventual state champion Richfield.

Jensen put up impressive numbers at quarterback, completing 217-of-359 passes for 39 touchdowns. He also rushed for 344 yards and 11 TDs.

Buhler, one of Jensen’s top targets, caught 44 passes for 657 yards and 10 TDs. Defensively, he recorded 42 tackles, 21 of which were solo. He also was the team’s punter.

Meanwhile, Rushton led the Falcons in tackles with 147 in 12 games (12.3 average), with 55 of them being solo. Offensively, he rushed for 588 yards and six touchdowns and caught one TD pass.

Miller said that Rushton considered going to Southern Virginia University but ultimately decided to stay closer to home.

“SUU offered a preferred walk-on and it’s where his dad played,” Miller said.

Additionally, Rushton first plans to serve a two-year LDS mission before joining the T-Birds, where he could end up either playing offense or defense.

“They are undecided which side of the ball he will play on,” Miller added.

Outside linebacker Irons posted a total of 74 tackles in 10 games his senior season for an average of 7.4 per game. He had 28 solo tackles and six tackles for loss.

“All four are great kids,” Miller added. “They are the core that helped set multiple school records and reshape the Canyon View football program into a winning program. We will miss them but the tone they set will echo with our future players.”

Parowan High 

Another Iron County senior athlete who recently signed a letter of intent to play collegiately is Parowan High School defensive lineman Boden Mackelprang, who has signed to play football with North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton, North Dakota.

Mackelprang led the Rams in tackles last fall, recording 89 tackles in 10 games, 42 of which were solo. He had 11 quarterback hurries and two sacks. As an offensive lineman, he recorded 12 pancake blocks.

“He’s very excited to go out there to play and pursue education towards becoming an electrician,” said his father, Parowan High wrestling coach Scott Mackelprang.

Boden Mackelprang has been a four-sport athlete for the Rams, also participating in wrestling, baseball and track and field. He has excelled academically as well, with a GPA of 3.5.

“He is excited to go play at the next level and show that if you work hard and put yourself out there, that small-school athletes can go on to the next level,” his father added.

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