Signing Day wrap: Kutztown draws 4 from YAIAA

It's hard to believe just how big a deal this National Signing Day business has become. Take this morning: I woke up and flipped on ESPN, as I typically do. And low and behind, Sportscenter was packed with segment after segment, breaking down so-and-so's recruiting class or updating another athlete's commitment status.

Here in York and Adams Counties, signing day played out on a slightly smaller scale. But several of the YAIAA's top players have indeed finalized their college choices, with one school scoring a handful of area commits.

That would be Kutztown, a PSAC school which will have no fewer than four YAIAA players joining it's football program next year. Those players are, in no particular order: Dallastown RB/LB Anthony DeFabio, York Suburban RB Cody Waltimyer, West York RB Corey Harris and West York WR Dan Gay.

The capture of Harris (pictured above) could be something of a coup for the Golden Bears. The Bulldogs tailback, who racked up 1,468 rushing yards and 26 touchdowns last season, received Division I interest up until he settled on Kutztown.

"Temple called multiple times, but Corey has made the decision that he wanted to go to Kutztown," West York coach Ron Miller said. "He wants to be an elementary school teacher and he wants to coach football. He's a very focused kid."

Waltimyer and Gay were both productive offensive players, with the former finishing as the all-time leading rusher in York Suburban history. Trojans coach Bill Kerr said the plan is for Waltimyer to play tailback at Kutztown.

DeFabio, meanwhile, was a scrappy player and emotional leader for a solid Dallastown defense.

They'll join a Kutztown program trying to rebound from a 3-8 season in 2009.

Hornbarger picks IUP: Kennard-Dale fullback Ethan Hornbarger will bring his bruising style to Indiana (Pa.) next year, Rams coach Doug Wilkinson said.

Hornbarger chose the Crimson Hawks over Bloomsburg, Wilkinson said, mostly thanks to their offensive style.

"They run a pro style, but they flex out the fullback and they put him the pass patterns," Wilkinson said. "They do things that they're going to utilize his skills."

Hornbarger was named the Division II player of the year, after rushing for 1,334 yards and 15 touchdowns. Wilkinson also said Hornbarger was recently selected as the York Quarterback Club's offensive player of the year.

Few more on the fence: Several other area football players are still pondering their college choices.

Miller said several of his West York standouts -- including lineman Brandon Romeo and Kyle Kinard and quarterback Alex George -- are still deciding between schools. So is York Suburban running back Nathaniel Cross, who Kerr said is considering a few PSAC schools.

Meanwhile, Miller said his playmaking linebacker Darion Bundy, has received contact from Temple and is also exploring junior college options.

The signing period ends April 1.

Tough schedule: A little off-topic here, but I felt compelled to mention it. While talking to Miller, he divulged West York's non-Division II schedule next year.

Here's a hint: It's a tad challenging.

The Bulldogs will play five Class AAAA schools: Governor Mifflin, Central York, Dallastown, Spring Grove and South Western. Throw in New Oxford -- which moves down to Division II this year but bumps up in classification to AAAA -- and six of triple-A West York's 10 games will be against quad-A opposition.