Highly decorated Montague QB commits to Michigan Tech, ready to resume state-title pursuit

If the Michigan highschool soccer playoffs go as deliberate the following couple weeks, then Drew Collins must be lots accustomed to the local weather he would possibly see at his faculty vacation spot.

Montague’s senior quarterback introduced on Sunday by way of Twitter that he has dedicated to Michigan Tech. On Monday, Collins and the Wildcats are planning to resume practice for the second time in two weeks with snow on the bottom and in sub-freezing temperatures.

Collins, a 6-foot-3, 208-pounder, who final week was announced The Associated Press Division 5-6 Player of the Year, is hoping to steer the Wildcats to a state championship. High-ranked Montague (9-0) is scheduled to host Montrose (8-1) at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 9, in a Division 6 regional last recreation.

The competition had been set for Jan. 2, however the playoff schedule was pushed again because the Michigan Excessive Faculty Athletic Affiliation and Michigan Division of Well being and Human Providers work out particulars of a coronavirus rapid-testing pilot program that may permit fall highschool sports activities to finish their seasons.

“It’s loopy and it’s tough … I’m fairly assured (it’s going to occur) whereas we’re at apply,” Collins stated in regards to the start-and-stop nature of issues. “I feel all of the misunderstanding and all that sort of stuff is out of the best way, however we thought that previously.

“However I’m fairly assured we’re going to be grinding out these previous few weeks.”

Initially, Collins was planning to attend till after the season to decide on his faculty. Northwood and Wheaton had been strongly thought-about as properly.

However in a season that “seems to be prefer it’s by no means going to finish,” he determined it was time to make his resolution.

Collins stated he felt “at residence” at Michigan Tech throughout his go to final weekend. Houghton is positioned within the northwestern a part of the Higher Peninsula, about an eight-hour drive from Montague a method.

He’ll be making loads of journeys downstate, nonetheless, because the Huskies compete within the Nice Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Convention in opposition to the likes of Davenport, Ferris State, Grand Valley State, Northwood, Saginaw Valley and Wayne State.

Collins’ teammate and shut pal, Montague senior all-state lineman Walker Martin, committed to GVSU in August.

Michigan Tech is well-known as an engineering faculty, however Collins – a 4.Three scholar – is planning to check sports activities and health administration.

Whereas some faculty applications additionally favored Collins at different positions, he stated the Huskies recruited him at QB.

“I feel a mixture of numerous issues (offered him on Michigan Tech), however most likely the primary factor was ambiance. I simply felt like residence there,” Collins stated. “I had to consider, ‘If I by no means took a snap at any of the colleges, the place would I need to be for college for pure faculty?’ and I assumed that was the perfect match for me.”

Collins is a three-year beginning quarterback for Montague. This season and final, he’s additionally began on protection at a security/exterior linebacker spot, plus he’s dealt with punting duties.

In 37 profession video games, Collins is 378-of-582 passing for five,784 yards and 63 touchdowns. He’s rushed 325 occasions for 1,820 yards and 38 TDs. He additionally earned AP Division 5-6 first-team all-state quarterback honors final season.

This season, Collins is 112-of-162 passing for 1,412 yards with 17 TDs and two interceptions, and he’s carried the ball 99 occasions for 613 yards and 15 scores. He’s averaged 47.Four yards on 5 pooch-style punts with three contained in the 20.

A pair weeks in the past, Collins was named the 2020 MLive Muskegon Dream Team Offensive Player of the Year.

Actually, there’s just one factor left to do: Win a state championship.

“It’s been actually particular,” Collins stated about taking part in for a particular Montague group this season. “It simply goes to point out the kind of teammates that I’ve as a result of we’ve been so profitable this 12 months and also you’re beginning to see the sorts of awards our group has gotten. We even set the document for many all-state children in Montague historical past, which is absolutely particular.

“It’s particular to know that we’ve put the group in a state of affairs to be talked about for years to return and that was our purpose – to be a very memorable group in 2020.”

Extra protection:

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Meet the 2020 Michigan high school football all-state team for Divisions 5-6