Serving proudly since 1873 as the beautiful Nebraska Panhandle's first newspaper

Hofrock to continue football career at Concordia

Cody Hofrock fulfilled a dream on Thursday afternoon.

The Sidney senior signed a scholarship to play football at Concordia University in Seward on Thursday in front of friends and family at the SHS media center.

"Being able to come down there and play college football, it's been a lifelong dream to be able to play college football," Hofrock said.

The offensive lineman is built to play center, according to Sidney football coach Chris Koozer.

"He's about 5-10, 5-11, and not too tall. A lot of people don't want their centers too tall," Koozer said. "Once he's able to focus just on football, he'll get a lot stronger. He's a hard worker and a leader on the football field. Those things will carry over well at the next level."

Hofrock said the way Concordia recruited him stood out over the other schools. He also looked at Nebraska Wesleyan, Hastings, Peru State and Midland.

"The way that they recruited me, the way that the head coach kept making sure I was OK all the way through the football season (impressed me)," Hofrock said. "The way that they just kept coming after me."

The Raiders attended team camp at Concordia last summer. Koozer said the first-hand contact led him to believe the program would offer Hofrock a scholarship.

"They had a chance to see him first-hand, go through drills and everything. I thought they that they'd offer him," said Koozer, who also played football at Concordia. "He's got good size, and he's got the potential to be a good center at the next level. He's a two-year starter at Sidney. It's a testament to all of the had work that he's put in over the years."

Concordia, an NAIA school in Seward and member of the Great Plains Athletic Conference, went 6-4 last season and tied for fourth place in the conference standings. Hofrock attended the Bulldogs' win against Nebraska Wesleyan and came away impressed.

"The facilities and just the atmosphere that they have for a football game and a football program (are great)," he said. "...The atmosphere was just great the entire game."

The Red Raider was also impressed with the school's coaching staff.

"Just the stability that they have in the coaching staff and how everybody just works to get better every day, down there, and the atmosphere, you just can't say enough about it," he said.

Hofrock plans to major in physical education and wants to become a teacher and a coach.

"We're very proud of him," Koozer said. "He's a likeable kid, and he's got a bright future both on and off the football field. He plans on going into education to teach and coach, and Concordia has a good education program, so that's a good fit for him."

And the Sidney senior is happy to be able to continue on in the sport he loves.

"It feels good, being able to continue my football career somewhere to where they can give me an opportunity to play," Hofrock said.

 

Reader Comments(0)