Wawasee senior Trevor Harter signed his letter of intent to continue his football and academic careers at Trine University. Seated with Trevor are parents Brett and Nikki Harter. In the back row are WHS principal Kim Nguyen, WHS assistant football coach Adolph Hathaway, WHS head football coach Josh Ekovich, WHS athletic director Cory Schutz and WHS assistant principal Vince Beasley. (Photo by Mike Deak)

SYRACUSE – Wawasee’s football program had a pair of its linemen sign the dotted line Wednesday, with Trevor Harter and Bryce Woody both choosing to continue their football and academic careers at Trine University.

Both were two-year starters for head coach Josh Ekovich’s program, Harter serving as a senior captain on the offensive line and earning Honorable Mention All-NLC honors his senior season. Woody was a starter on both sides of the ball, and helped Wawasee orchestrate its best offensive season in a decade. Wawasee amassed over 5,000 rushing yards and 49 rushing touchdowns, and the two blocked for quarterback Tyler Smith to rush for 1,492 yards, which was the fifth-highest total for QBs in the state according to Max Preps.

Wawasee averaged near 400 yards and over 27 points per game on offense.

“Trevor brings many attributes that will benefit the offensive line at Trine University,” Ekovich said. “He has been a leader in the weight room, on the field and throughout the community in his representation of Wawasee High School football. He is a tenacious run blocker that has the athleticism to pass protect superior athletes on the defensive line. He will be sorely missed as a Warrior.

“Bryce brings a work ethic that is unmatched to Trine University,” continued Ekovich. “While his position in college could be offensive or defensive line, he was a very successful offensive lineman in 2016 for us. He is quick enough to block linebackers, yet stout enough to man block players who are bigger them him. His currently holds the school record for squat max (560). He has been a fantastic role model for all younger Warriors and will be greatly missed as a Warrior.”

“We went to a camp there and I’ve loved it ever since,” Harter, ranked 92nd in his graduating class, looks to study social studies education. “The work in the weight room helped me out tremendously, and learning to study to make myself better. I’m hoping to be a guard there. You don’t have to run as much as a tackle. I feel the program there will help me become a better football player and a better man for the future.”

“I went twice to Trine for football camps and got familiar with the university and the program,” Woody, ranked 76th in his graduating class, looks to study mechanical engineering. “The fact that I have teammates already there and Trevor also going helps. It’s a great opportunity for me, especially to further my education in engineering. Their reputation for engineering is good, and to add that with football is a blessing for me.”

Trine went 6-4 overall and 3-3 in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association Conference in 2016. The Thunder are coached by Troy Abbs, and the roster currently has a pair of former Wawasee footballers in kicker Lucas Garza and linebacker Zac McKee, both 2016 WHS graduates.

Wawasee senior Bryce Woody signed his letter of intent to continue his football and academic careers at Trine University. Seated with Bryce are parents Brian and Dee Woody. In the back row are WHS principal Kim Nguyen, WHS assistant football coach Adolph Hathaway, WHS head football coach Josh Ekovich, WHS athletic director Cory Schutz and WHS assistant principal Steve Perek. (Photo by Mike Deak)