Eagle lands a full ride

Chrissey McOmber

A NEW CHAPTER - West Valley head coach Greg Grandell shakes hands with his former free safety Josh McOmber at a recent recruiting trip to Eastern Washington University. McOmber signed his letter of intent to play for the Eastern Washington Eagles last week.

West Valley senior Josh McOmber signed his letter of intent to play football at Eastern Washington University in Cheney last week, the 18-year-old Happy Valley native will receive a full-ride scholarship as a free safety for the Eagles.

After discussing football scholarships with Arizona State and Washington State, along with Cal Berkeley on a track scholarship, McOmber decided on Eastern Washington because of its familiar feel.

“The camaraderie and the comfort I felt with the Eastern Washington players on my recruiting trip reminded me a lot of West Valley,” said McOmber. “They made me feel at home.”

McOmber will red-shirt during his freshman season with the Eastern Washington Eagles, where he is currently third on the depth chart behind a pair of NFL prospects. However, the coaches at Eastern Washington have informed McOmber that he could have a chance to start following his red-shirt season.

McOmber will be joining his former teammate and friend at West Valley, Eastern Washington quarterback Matt Nichols, on the Eagles roster next fall. McOmber anxiously awaits the opportunity to suit up alongside his old friend.

“Instead of him trying to get me the ball, I’ll be trying to get the ball back for him,” said McOmber. “We were Eagles together at West Valley, now we’ll be Eagles together at Eastern Washington.”

McOmber expressed a great deal of gratitude toward West Valley head coach Greg Grandell and assistant coach Jim Vert for their roles in making his scholarship dreams a reality.

According to McOmber, of all the recruits at the recent visit in Eastern Washington, Grandell and Vert were the only high school coaches who made the trip.

“It really represents what West Valley’s program is all about,” said McOmber. “It’s more than a coach and player relationship, it’s more like a father and son relationship.”

Grandell feels Josh’s signing is a tribute to the West Valley coaching staff, the program and all the hard work the Eagles’ players have put in.

“Josh was a dominant player for us and we wouldn’t have been nearly as successful without him,” said Grandell. “As his body catches up to his speed he will continue to improve. I think he can go as far as he wants to go.”