Crestview's Boals to play football at Webber International

CRESTVIEW – For the last four year’s Chase Boals has had a home on the Crestview offensive line.

And now, as his high school football career comes to an end, the Bulldog stalwart will not only have a new home address, but he’ll have a new home of the football field as well.

Boals has signed a football scholarship with Webber International in Babson Park and he’ll be playing defensive tackle for the Warriors, who play in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.

Surrounded by family members, teammates, coaches and administrators, Boals thanked those who had helped him achieve his dream of playing college football.

It didn’t take long for Boals, who also got calls from South Alabama, to realize Webber was where he wanted to play his college ball

“I went on my visit and they made me feel like I was a part (of the program) already even though I hadn’t signed,” he said. “They made it feel like it was home. It was a good atmosphere and a good place for me.

“I was surrounded by people that just wanted to win. And that’s all I want to do is win football games. It was the only visit I took and the only visit I needed to take because it felt just like home.”

Boals credits his playing in the Pensacola Sports Association all-star game with helping to open the door for him to go to Webber.

“I actually played offense all four years in high school, but they are recruiting me to play defensive tackle because after I played in the all-star game that’s what caught their eye,” he said. “I’m probably going to play some center (on offense). But they are going to look at me at the three and five (defensive tackle spots), and maybe play a little bit of nose (tackle), and see how things work out.

“Being at Crestview I played what they needed me to play because you don’t have as many people to chose from. I always loved playing defense, but it’s going to be a change hitting people instead of blocking for them.”

Bulldog coach Matt Brunson sees a bright future for Boals.

“Any time a guy gets to play at that level it’s a good thing.” He said. He’s a big, athletic lineman and we wish him well. He has good feet, good strength and good size.

“He has gotten bigger and stronger and worked hard throughout the years and developed the skills that God gave him, and he has done a good job. Hopefully if he gets down there and does a great job with his academics he’ll have a good career, but most importantly he’ll get a degree from Webber International.”

Boals believes his days as a Bulldog, and before that, a Davidson Panther, have prepared him for his college career.

“Not just (playing) at Crestview, but from playing my middle school football for coach (Dexter) Day (has helped him get the opportunity to play college ball),” he said. “Coach Day made me become a man and instilled in me everything I needed. He was a hard working sort of man and the coaches here did the same thing.

“Coach (Thomas) Grant (a CHS offensive line assistant coach) helped me a whole lot. He helped me mature and become a better person and I think that’s going to help me a lot in the long run.”