Bonde has played tailback and outside linebacker for the Blue Jays, who finished last season with a 5-5 record after a second consecutive playoffs appearance.
Playing college football has been a dream for the last four years, Bonde said Wednesday. Being on the Mancos team has helped him prepare for the future, he said.
“I’ve definitely learned how to work hard,” he said. “You have to take things to the next level.”
Bonde said he anticipates playing defensive back for the Skyhawks this fall. Former Mancos student Everett Strazza-Whalen now plays linebacker for Fort Lewis and is a friend of Bonde’s. He’s already started to make friends, Bonde said. Those friendships are part of the reason he chose FLC, he said.
Bonde said he is excited for college ball next year, but he is also somewhat nervous. He will have to transition to an 11-man Fort Lewis team coming from Mancos, which fields eight players.
“It will be hard to learn a new system, but I’m looking forward to it,” he said.
Strazza-Whalen received a scholarship last year, so it’s the second straight year a Mancos athlete has been offered, Mancos co-head coach Adam Priestley said. He’s happy to see college coaches noticing the Blue Jays, he said.
“This shows that Mancos football is improving,” Priestley said. “Our kids are doing an outstanding job.”
jacobk@the-journal.com