College-Bound: Charleston gridiron trio ready to take on new challenge

CHARLESTON, Mo. — A trio of standout high school football players from Charleston recently signed to continue their athletic careers at the college level.

Rommie Turner, Roy Wiley and Lane Morrow have worked hard to reach this milestone and are poised to make a big impact at the next level.

“I am going to miss these great seniors and my other ones who haven't signed,” said Charleston coach Justin Hutchings. “Their dedication and leadership allowed us to have a great season and make a run at a district title.”

All three athletes earned All-Class 1, District 1 honors this past season after helping lead the Bluejays to an 8-3 record.

Turner and Morrow are committed to Missouri Baptist University in St. Louis.

“I feel like this was the right place for me,” Turner said. “It’s close to home for my family and supporters can come to watch me play. I also get to play with my high school teammate Lane Morrow. I also have the opportunity to get playing time right away and that played a big part in me choosing this school.”

Turner intends to play running back for the Spartans after leading Bluejays in rushing this past season. He totaled 704 yards on 98 carries with seven touchdowns, and also had two receptions for 43 yards.

On defense, Turner finished the season with 52 total tackles, six pass deflections, seven tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and three interceptions returned for touchdowns.

He was named one of the ten finalists for the Semoball Defensive Player of the Year.

“It feels good to have an opportunity to play college football because most people don’t have this opportunity,” Turner said. “I’m blessed and thankful to play the sport that I love at a higher level.”

Turner has been known as one of the hardest workers on the team throughout his high school career.

“That is what separates him from others,” Hutching said. “His instincts and vision are a cause for fear for opponents. He made some explosive plays out of nothing and has always been a great kid for me and a great teammate to the guys. He will do great at Missouri Baptist.

“He only has to focus on football and will be able to be at 100 percent,” he continued. “He always had to battle minor injuries but has always toughed them out for the team. He truly loves football and is eager to get to [St. Louis}.”

Morrow plans to play on the offensive line at center.

“I feel like this place was right for me,” Morrow said. “When I went to visit the campus I fell in love with the school, the coaches, and the atmosphere. I am familiar with the St. Louis area and am excited to play there. It is a dream come true and it allows me to keep doing what I love.”

Missouri Baptist is a member of the Nation Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), and the football team competes in the Mid-States Football Association (MSFA).

“Coaching [Morrow] has been the easiest thing to do as a coach,” Hutchings said. “He comes to everything and works hard at all times. Its truly been an honor coaching him because he has even helped me with his knowledge of the offensive line. His biggest strength is his consistency with his snaps. We only had two bad snaps this year and as a center that helps your offense so much.

“His knowledge and communication up front were second to none,” Hutchings continued. “He made all of our calls and always had something to tell me on the sideline when he came off. I feel like he will do great at the next level. He will have to gain some weight but other than that his work ethic will be great for college ball.”

Turner and Morrow will play for head coach Jason Burianek.

Burianek played college football at the University of Colorado under both Rick Neuheisel and Gary Barnett and has been at the helm for the Spartans since 2014.

Wiley is committed to playing wide receiver and defensive back at the College of Wooster in Wooster, Ohio.

“It means more than words could ever explain,” Wiley said. “Coming from Charleston this is big I worked for this opportunity and can’t let it go to waste. The coaching style seems similar to coach Hutchings and the coaching staff and current players made me feel like family before I even committed.”

Wiley ended the year as Charleston’s top receiver, making 28 receptions for 377 yards and four touchdowns.

Defensively, he had 26 tackles, one tackle for a loss, nine pass deflections, four interceptions and one pick-six.

Wiley was also selected All-SEMO Conference-South this past season.

It’s been a long and difficult road for Wiley. In November 2020, he fractured his tibial plateau, broke a growth plate and tore his patella tendon, and wasn’t cleared to return to athletics until June 2021.

“Coaching [Wiley] has truly been a journey,” Hutchings said. “With him coming off of his injury two years ago, we had some rough years and it took a toll on him. He came to me in the offseason and wanted us to be better. I told him what it would take and he then became one of the best leaders on the team.

“If I had to name a defensive captain, it would be him,” Hutchings continued. “His knowledge of the game was insane. He watched hours of film and knew what every team was doing in all situations. Teams barely threw the ball to his and [Turner’s] side. At the next level, he is going to do great no matter what position he plays. He is going to study and work extremely hard on the football field.”

All three players have been key contributors during their high school careers and have gained recognition for their outstanding performances on the field.

They also demonstrated a strong commitment to their academics, making them excellent representatives of their schools both on and off the field.