England commits to play football at Missouri University of Science and Technology

Josh England (center) signs his letter-of-intent to play football at Missouri University of Science and Technology next fall surrounded by his family and Coach Etherton.

By BLAKE FAITH
Staff Writer

Mt. Zion senior offensive lineman and defensive lineman Josh England signed his letter-of-intent to play football and study at Missouri University of Science and Technology next fall.

The reason England chose Missouri University of Science and Technology was because they have a really good football team, they’re a very academic school and the coaches are committed to helping you on and off the field.

At Mt. Zion, England was a first-team all-Apollo conference selection. England will take with him his hard-working attitude.

“I think the coaches here really helped you understand that hard work is how you get successful in life,” England said.

Mt. Zion head coach Patrick Etherton said that England really matured in his time in the program and is now starting to fill out in his body and frame from working hard.

“He’s come a long way from his freshman to senior year,” Coach Etherton said. “A lot of that is hard work, doing the extras and spending the time being dedicated to being the best football player he could be. He had an outstanding career and outstanding senior year.”

Coach Etherton went on to say that England is a model on how to balance academics and athletics and that England is a good student.

“The thing is he showed up every day, worked hard, did everything we asked of him and got better each game, got better each day in practice and never once complained about homework or any of that stuff,” Coach Etherton said. “He just managed his time and I think the big thing is for younger players to see how you can manage time, do well academically and do well football wise and then go on and play the next level.”

England will major in computer science and in his freshman year hopes to stay on task academically and on the football field he wants to get better, learn a lot from the other guys and get used to the program.

Coach Etherton’s last words of advice to England are to enjoy his years of college and that time flies so have fun.

The thing England will miss most about Mt. Zion is the friends he made in his time there.

“I’ll never forget those guys,” England said. “They got me through high school for sure. I wouldn’t be the same man without them.”