“Today is a big day for me. It was always a dream of mine since I started playing sports,” Warsaw senior Bryce Varner said. “I want to take it to the next level. To go to college and have that experience. And being a senior I really took it to heart.”

Varner signed his national letter of intent Tuesday afternoon, April 22, at Warsaw High School to play football at Monmouth College for the Fighting Scots.

“I decided on Monmouth after visiting there and talking to the coaches and I know some players there. They said it’s like one big family,” Varner explained. “It’s small town living and it’s not too far away and it’s not too close, so I can focus on my own things. I think having the experiences I’ve had here will definitely help at Monmouth.”

Varner would like to play slot receiver on offense and safety on defense.

“Whatever they decide for me is where I am going to be,” he added.

West Hancock Football Coach Coy Dorothy also spoke at the signing ceremony.

“It is always great to see student athletes, further their education and athletic career at the next level,” Dorothy observed. “Bryce is a great person and a great athlete. He is the type of kid that is going to give it his all, no matter the circumstance.”

Warsaw Principal Brad Froman said Monmouth is lucky to have Varner.

“It is fun to celebrate student athletes that take the next step. To not only move on academically but on the field,” Froman noted. “We talk about it freshman orientation that kids that are more involved are more successful in high school. Bryce has been involved in sports and other things throughout the school and it shows. He has been a model student here for us.”

Varner was a three-time Prairieland All-Conference player. He threw for 2,013 yards in his senior season at quarterback. He had the most passing yards in a single game (426 yards) and threw 22 touchdown passes. He rushed for 505 yards over his career. Bryce was Top-15 in the state of Illinois after the regular season in passing yards. Had nine rushing touchdowns, caught 51 passes and had 13 receiving touchdowns, which tied for the career record for West Hancock. Varner recorded 79.5 tackles and helped account for 44 touchdowns over the last two years. Bryce has had a 4.0 grade point average at Warsaw High School.

At Monmouth, he will study exercise science.