Future bright at Idaho for Mariner’s Fry

Published 9:00 pm Wednesday, February 1, 2006

EVERETT – Raymond Fry intently eyed the imposing pile of paperwork that represented his ticket to opportunity.

“I’m so proud of him,” his mom, Leslie Fry, said to John Ondriezek, head football coach at Mariner High School.

“It’s just starting,” said Ondriezek, who saw Fry evolve into a gridiron star over the past several seasons. “The future is bright.”

And so it is for Fry, a senior at Mariner who formally accepted a full scholarship Wednesday morning to play football for the University of Idaho. A speedy 5-foot-8, 170-pound dynamo, Fry signed an NCAA letter of intent just after 7 a.m. at Mariner to kickoff the regular signing period for prep football players. The signing window runs through April 1.

Jennifer Buchanan / The Herald Mariner RB Raymond Fry signed to play for Idaho on Wednesday.

Joined by Leslie Fry, sister Kenyata Fry and Ondriezek, Raymond Fry formalized a commitment he made to Idaho in December. Fry, a member of The Herald’s Class 3A/4A All-Area first team at running back and kick returner, and also an All-Area second team defensive back, thanked coaches – including Ondriezek and Mariner assistant Tom Myhre – and family for helping him fulfill his potential.

“I’ve just been looking forward to this day,” said Fry, an honors student who rushed 193 times for 1,654 yards (8.6 yards per carry) and 27 touchdowns in 10 games as a senior. “I just want to get ready for next year and get on the field early.”

Fry, one of the area’s three student-athletes who accepted a football scholarship from Idaho, is projected as a return specialist and a running back in college. Idaho is a Division-I program that competes in the Western Athletic Conference. The Vandals, who inked 15 prep players on Wednesday, were 2-9 overall last season and 2-6 in their inaugural WAC run, tying for sixth in the nine-team league.

Ondriezek called Fry, who plans to study business, the most explosive athlete he’s coached at Mariner. But the Idaho-bound speedster offers more than athletic ability.

“Ray’s just a first-class person. You won’t find a better individual,” Ondriezek said.

“He’s got a lot of motivation and drive,” Leslie Fry, a single mother, said of her son.

She was all smiles and hugs as she captured the modest signing ceremony on video. “I still have to pinch myself,” she said of Raymond Fry’s achievement. “It still amazes me.”

Also signing with Idaho on Wednesday were Archbishop Murphy defensive back Shiloh Keo and Edmonds-Woodway placekicker/punter Grady Harmon. Keo rushed for 1,675 yards (13.4 yards per carry) and 22 touchdowns as a senior, and made the Associated Press 2A all-state team at defensive back. Harmon was an All-Wesco South first team placekicker this past fall and as a junior made 12 of 15 field goals and 34 of 36 point-after-touchdown kicks.

Fry, Keo and Harmon are part of a 16-player recruiting class that Vandals head coach Nick Holt praised in a statement Wednesday. “It was a good year,” Holt said. “We addressed our needs. I’m really excited about this class.”

Holt said of Harmon, “He has great numbers and great accolades. … Hopefully, he can adjust to the college game quickly.”

Another local player, Snohomish offensive lineman Jeff Washburn, plans to join Idaho as a walk-on. Washburn was an All-Wesco North first team pick.

Idaho’s newest crop of Washington players – which also includes safety Adam Anderson of Riverside (Chattaroy); defensive ends Aaron Lavarias of Woodinville and Jonah Sataracka of Rogers (Puyallup); and linebacker Paul Senescall of Mead (Spokane) – join current Vandals like strong safety Jevon Butler (Archbishop Murphy) and wide receiver Lee Smith (Everett). Before Wednesday’s signings Idaho already had 15 players from Washington on its roster.

Two other Wesco standouts signed letters of intent Wednesday: Shorecrest running back Jesse Hoffman is headed to Eastern Washington University and Snohomish tight end Nate VanDuine will play for Western Washington University.

Many other local prep athletes hope to play college football – including 2005 Herald Players of the Year J.P. Oliver (Cascade) and Brett Smith (Arlington) – and will likely announce decisions over the next two months.