By Jeff Odom
Three Sunlake football players that helped lay the program’s foundation signed on the dotted line May 10 to continue their careers at the next level.
Seahawks athlete Eddie Burgos (Black Hills State in South Dakota), offensive lineman Aaron Protch (Geneva College in Pennsylvania) and linebacker Brogan Ronske (Butte College in California) made their selections official inside the school’s media center.
The 5-foot-11, 175-pound Burgos, who split time as Sunlake’s running back, wide receiver and defensive back last season, said he’s excited to have the opportunity to play and isn’t worried about the change in climate.
“I know the weather is a little bit cold up there, people have been telling me that all day, but yeah, I just want to play football,” said Burgos, an All-Laker/All-Lutz News first team selection last season. “I want to try out as a freshman, try to be starting as a freshman and just make chances.”
Protch, who recorded 14 pancake blocks last season, said he never thought he would make it through four years of high school football. But with the guidance of Seahawks coach Bill Browning, he was able to become a program staple.
“It was life-changing, because I came from middle school to high school not even wanting to play football,” Protch said. “I was scared, extremely scared at the change in the level, but the coaches helped me transition, and they’ve honestly made me who I am today.”
Ronske finished last season with 39 total tackles, three sacks and one interception. The senior said he wants to complete a couple years at Butte, the same school where Super Bowl MVP and Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers played at before transferring to California in 2002, and move on to a Division I FBS program.
“It means a lot to be able to go on to the next level, but the road doesn’t end here,” Ronske said. “I still have a lot of work to do, and I’m still not satisfied. I’ve got one or two years at Butte and hopefully go to a (Division I) college.”
