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McCreary, Luna Sign to Bethel

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McKENZIE (February 3) — Rashad McCreary and Jose Luna signed their letters of intent to Bethel University and extended their football careers to the collegiate level.

McCreary has been on the gridiron for six years. He honed his skills through the McKenzie program and looks to continue to do that at the next level.

During his time on the McKenzie Football team, McCreary was a running back and a linebacker for the Rebels. His favorite memory throughout the years was attending the Blue Cross Bowl two years in a row.

During his senior season, McCreary was awarded the Most Valuable Linebacker award. Throughout the state, McCreary was selected to the Tennessee Sports Writers Association All-State Team. He was voted to be an All-Region player.

McCreary is looking forward to taking the next step in his career and to playing at a new school.

“I’m excited to play on a new field,” he said. “[Attending Bethel] will give me the chance to showcase my skills and show my talents on the field.”

While he attends Bethel, McCreary plans to study business.

Throughout his years on the field, McCreary has had many people touch his life path. He thanks all of the people that have come along and made a difference in his life.

“I have my parents to thank,” he said. “Also Coach Comer and my friends for keeping me in the sport. I also would like to thank God for leading me along the way.”

Bethel University Head Coach Michael Jasper commented on his new signee.

“I’ve been watching Rashad since he was a kid. A lot of these guys from this class that made it to the state championship last year were little kids when I was going to school at Bethel and now they have grown up. I’ve seen and known them for some years now. Rashad is a unique talent. He is brilliant in the classroom. He has a phenomenal football IQ in some of the things he can do for us offensively and defensively. This past year he was a juggernaut on defense, but we are looking for a hard-nosed player on the offensive side of the ball so we are going to try him out at tailback and just let him be an all-around football player.”

Jose Luna has been playing for five years. He played two years in the middle school program and three years in the high school program.

Luna recalls winning state as the highlight of his high school career.

“I felt like we came and did what we had to do in that game,” Luna said.

Luna was an All-Region player and was awarded the Phillip Carter most inspired memorial award by his coaches.

Luna is excited to bond with his new team and be a part of their legacy.

“I am excited to chase another championship with another team full of greatness,” he said.

Being able to play at the next level means a lot to Luna, for it has been his dream since he was young.

While he shows his skills on the gridiron, he plans to major in Business.

Luna’s support system throughout the years has been his parents and coaches.

“I have my parents and coaches and really anyone who showed me a valuable lesson in life to thank for this accomplishment,” Luna said.

Jasper mentioned that he is excited to have Luna on his roster for next season.

“Jose is a great young man,” Jasper said. “Jose is someone we are going to pour into and develop. He is another great kid. I’m excited to get with Jose and get to work and watch him develop over his career at Bethel.”

The Bethel program is thrilled to have both athletes join their program next fall.

“We are extremely blessed to have Jose and Rashad join our program, “ Jasper said. “Obviously they come from McKenzie, which we know right in our backyard that they are a story tradition and have a phenomenal football program. We are blessed to have two young men join our program that are from right here in West Tennessee. Both Rashad and Jose are not men of a lot of words, but they work hard and love the game of football.

During the 2022-2023 season, the Bethel Wildcats went 11-1 with their only loss ending their season in the playoffs. Bethel’s football season will get underway in the end of August 2023.