Webber, Navarro to play offensive line at next level

SANDPOINT — Bulldog football players Tyler Navarro and R.J. Webber each fulfilled a childhood dream on Wednesday, when the pair signed letters of intent to play football at Mayville State University next season.

Navarro, 6-3 and 280 pounds, and Webber, 6-1 and 250 pounds, were both 4A All-Inland Empire League selections last season as offensive linemen, where each is slated to play next year.

Webber, who hopes to remain at center, said the Comet coaches began recruiting him a few weeks ago and Wednesday was a special moment.

“It’s a dream come true,” said Webber, calling the rural NAIA school a perfect fit. “It’s the day I’ve been waiting for since I was 5-years-old.”

Navarro, whose size and speed helped anchor both the offensive and defensive lines for Sandpoint last fall, was also thrilled to finally know that he would be playing at the next level.

“I’ve always wanted to play college football,” said Navarro, who wants to remain on the offensive side of the ball but said he’d play wherever the coaches ask. “It’s a really good program, with an awesome school and cool campus.”

Both players are considering rooming together, but nothing is set in stone. The two have started the past two years on the same offensive line at Sandpoint.

Mayville State went 5-6 last year in the Dakota Athletic Conference at the NAIA level. The small North Dakota school was founded in 1890, and features an enrollment of less than 1,000 students.