These Southridge athletes signed their college letters. Here’s where they’re going

Eastern Oregon University plucked a handful of players out of the Mid-Columbia this year, and among those the Mountaineers hope to make an impact right away is Southridge long snapper Flynn McPheron.

The 6-foot-1, 220-pound offensive lineman signed his letter of intent Wednesday, along with Suns quarterback Mason Perez, who is going to Pacific Lutheran University, and baseball player Sergio Midili, who will play at Walla Walla Community College.

The EOU coaches told McPheron to expect to suit up in the fall. To ensure they got their man signed, EOU offered him a $3,000 scholarship, and waived out-of-state fees. He is the first long snapper the Mountaineers have put on scholarship.

McPheron said Eastern appealed to him because of their education program, and he’s seen the success former Mid-Columbia players have had in the program.

“You have to focus on what you want to major in,” said McPheron, who will major in secondary education. “You have to go where you are going to have the best fit. Bryce Kelly and Brenden Kelly have made a name for themselves. Ryan Piper (Richland) is going and we have known each other since the eighth grade.”

There’s no doubt McPheron knows his job. He is ranked third nationally as a long snapper by ProKicker. He also played center for the Suns, but may be undersized at the moment for that job.

“I talked to the coaches and they would like me to put on about 25 pounds,” McPheron said. “It’s a scary thing. I have been working all winter to keep my skills up. You stop and you lose it. Then some kid will come along and take it away from you. Now, I need to make friends with the punter, kicker and holder.”

The 6-2, 175-pound Perez doesn’t figure on getting much playing time this fall behind three senior quarterbacks, but he is looking forward to learning from the upperclassmen.

“I have worked really hard this offseason, and I hope to grow in the program,” Perez said. “It will be weird. I will be out of my comfort zone, but I hope to create the same bonds on and off the field that I have had here.”

Perez made his official visit to the Tacoma-area school Jan. 20, and three days later, made a verbal commitment and put down a deposit.

Perez, who plans to major in kinesiology, received close to $40,000 in scholarship money, which will cover most of his $50,000 annual tuition and fees.

“That helped my decision,” Perez said of the scholarship. “They have one of the fastest growing kinesiology programs there. School and football will help me keep my work ethic.”

Midili, who played first and third base on the Suns baseball team, will join Southridge teammate Lane Hailey at Walla Walla. Hailey signed with the Warriors in November.

“The Walla Walla coach (Dave Meliah) reached out to me,” Midili said. “Walla Walla is a little farther away, and I will have a little more independence.”

Midili, who plans on majoring in engineering, said he also likes the fact that there are several players at WWCC that he knows, and that it will be nice to have friends around to help ease into college.

Part of the the Suns state runner-up team last spring, Midili said he has learned a lot from coach Tim Sanders.

“Tim is the main reason I am where I am,” Midili said. “He makes you strive to be as good as you can. If you can survive Tim Sanders, you can do what you want.”

This story was originally published February 7, 2018 at 8:36 PM with the headline "These Southridge athletes signed their college letters. Here’s where they’re going."