The Blog has carried several stories this past month about Chad Kackert, the standout running back from Grace Brethren High School in Simi Valley, CA. This week it was announced that Kackert has accepted an offer from University of New Hampshire coach Sean McDonnell to play at UNH. Here is the announcement from the UNH football program:
Chad Kackert, a 5-8, 185-pound RB/DB from Simi Valley, Calif. comes to UNH as one of the most prolific football players in California high school history. On the way to leading his team to a perfect 13-0 record and a state title, he ran for 3,445 yards on 295 carries and scored 56 touchdowns, all in his senior season at Grace Brethren High School.
He ran for over 400 yards in a game three times in 2004 with his best performance being a 476-yard effort on 27 carries. He scored seven touchdowns in that contest. As a result of his season efforts he was named the 2004 California State Player of the Year -Small Schools, first-team All-Section, Alpha League Offensive Player of the Year, CIF Division XII Offensive Player of the Year, and Ventura County Co-Player of the Year-Small Schools.
Coach McDonnell on Kackert: “Chad has done it on both sides of the ball. His statistics speak for themselves. He will be a great addition to our skill positions in this program.”
“This class will help fill many of the needs left open by our graduating seniors, said seventh-year head coach Sean McDonnell. “We feel very good about the level of skill at the running back, wide receiver and defensive back positions. Our linebacker/defensive line position needs have been met and we have added two outstanding offensive line prospects. This year’s class has many players coming from winning backgrounds with four state championships that will help carry on the winning tradition here at UNH.”
Kackert is the first Lancer to earn a football scholarship.
“I liked the school and I liked the coaches,” Kackert said of New Hampshire, which finished 10-3 last season, including a victory over I-A Rutgers. “I’m glad it’s over, because it’s a tough process. One week you think you’re going to one school, and that next week that all changes. I’m just glad to have that behind me.”