River View’s Hunley to play football at Defiance College

Joseph Hunley, center, will continue his football career at Defiance College. He is pictured with his dad and mom Jeremy and Jessica Hunley. (Josie Sellers)

Joseph Hunley signed his letter of intent to play football for Defiance College on March 6 in the library at River View High School.

“It’s been a dream of mind for a while now to play football in college,” said the RVHS senior. “The school is giving me the opportunity to play at another level and I’m not going to let them down.”

Hunley had multiple schools contact him, but he liked the size of Defiance.

“It’s a very small school and has a family atmosphere,” he said.

Hunley mainly plays offensive guard and tackle for the Black Bears but can basically play the whole line. He is thankful for all those who have helped him develop his skills over the years.

“I want to thank my line coach, my football family for pushing me and my dad for pushing me into playing and doing wrestling,” Hunley said.

His parents, Jeremy and Jessica Hunley, were both excited and relieved to see Joseph decide on a college.

“This is a very long process and you don’t realize that until you are in it,” Jessica said. “We are glad he knows where he is going and that it’s settled.”

Like Joseph, they are both pleased with the size of Defiance and the community around it.

“It’s small, but there are things for him to do there,” Jessica said.

She added that football season is her favorite time of year.

“He started playing in first grade and these guys and his coaches here aren’t just his friends on the field,” Jessica said.

Jeremy agreed that everyone has been very supportive.

“They want to see him succeed,” he said.

Hunley is the fourth athlete in three years that River View Head Coach Mike Hemming has seen go on to play college ball.

“It’s always good to see kids go on to play at the next level,” he said. “We haven’t had a lot in past history, but this shows that the kids are working hard.”

Hemming said Defiance is getting a good size lineman who is a smart football player.

“He was pretty much one of our better offensive linemen and he also played some defense,” Hemming said. “I think at the college level he could play offensive or defensive line. He’s got good feet and is a hard worker.”

One of Hunley’s favorite memories from high school football is when the team finally broke its losing streak.

“It was crazy in the locker room,” Hunley said.

He also is proud of his second team award.

“It showed that all the hard work went toward something,” Hunley said.

He plans to major in athletic management or fitness/conditioning. He also would like to coach after college.

Hunley’s advice to his younger teammates is to always push themselves.

“If you are faced with a challenge, face it head on,” he said. “Those challenges are really opportunities.”

Category: High School, Sports