RECRUITING: Faith Lutheran DB Sperry commits to Navy

David Sperry was unsure what to expect during his recruiting visit to Navy last weekend.

The Faith Lutheran senior defensive back began leaning toward the Midshipmen after meeting Navy head coach Ken Niumatalolo.

Then Sperry saw the team’s 2009 schedule, which includes games against Ohio State, Pittsburgh, Wake Forest and Notre Dame, and learned the Midshipmen had five defensive backs graduating this year.

That made it a done deal, and Sperry committed to Navy on Sunday morning.

“Obviously it’s exciting knowing what’s going to come out of this after I graduate (from Navy),” Sperry said. “But other than the financial security, the football’s really what got me on it.”

Sperry was scheduled to visit San Diego on Jan. 31, but already had his mind made up.

“I feel like in the long run, the Naval Academy’s where I should be,” he said. “I knew what would be best in the long run.”

The 5-foot-10-inch, 160-pound Sperry played quarterback, wide receiver, free safety and special teams in helping the Crusaders finish 5-5 this past season.

He passed for 134 yards and two touchdowns, rushed for 31 yards and one TD, caught 35 passes for 428 yards and three TDs, and made 44 tackles and three interceptions. He also was the team’s kickoff specialist.

Sperry said Navy told him he will begin at cornerback.

“I’m going to work my butt off and get some (playing) time,” he said.

Sperry will be reunited with 2008 Faith Lutheran graduate Garrett Sherwood, a linebacker who started 11 of 12 games on Navy’s prep school team this past season.

“That’s going to help a lot,” Sperry said of having a familiar face around. “We’ll be going in as freshmen.”

Faith Lutheran coach Jacob Kothe added, “It’s very exciting. Dave’s a great student, a great football player. To have an opportunity to play at the Naval Academy is great.”

CSN BASEBALL SIGNEES — College of Southern Nevada has signed three area baseball players to letters of intent, coach Tim Chambers said.

The Coyotes’ signees are Cimarron-Memorial catcher Kaz Smith, Tech third baseman Chris Sambol and Liberty right-hander Kyle Rynearson.

“(Smith) we expect to be an impact guy for us right away,” Chambers said. “He’s going to provide some pop with the bat and is a real solid receiver.”

Sambol is a “big-bodied kid who is going to hit for power,” Chambers said.

Rynearson can reach above 90 mph on a radar gun.

“We feel like in a year or so, he’s going to be 95-(mph) plus,” Chambers said. “We expect him to come in and help right away.”