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Trey Finney has transferred from Dekaney to St. Pius X
THE RISE OF TREY FINNEY: St. Pius X freshman gaining national attention
HOUSTON — At just 15 years old, Trey Finney III is already turning heads on the recruiting trail.
The 5-foot-9, do-it-all freshman was a second-team all-district selection for Dekaney High School this past fall. Since the end of his freshman football season, Finney has already pulled in double-digit Division I offers, a testament to his elite speed, versatility, and football IQ. He's also transferred to St. Pius X.
“I really don’t like to limit myself,” he said. “That’s why I consider myself an athlete. I can play receiver or cornerback. Travis Hunter has paved the way for guys like me to play both ways. If you have the talent and the heart for it, you can never come off the field.”
While Finney shines under the Friday night lights, he’s equally impressive in the classroom. Now at St. Pius X, he’s embracing the academic rigor with a perfect 4.0 GPA.
“I came to St. Pius X because I’m really big on academics,” Finney said. “I want to be challenged in the classroom, and this school gives me that.”
He’s also a self-described bookworm, recently finishing the entire Game of Thrones book series. In his downtime, you might catch him deep into anime adventures.
“I’m really into Naruto and Luffy from One Piece,” he laughed. “That type of adventure genre is my thing.”
New head coach Shaun Stephens is fired up about Finney joining the program — not just for his athleticism, but for who he is as a person.
“The kid enjoys the process,” Stephens said. “He understands that greatness is built in the dark. He pushes himself every day — in the classroom, on the field, and in the weight room. He’s competitive in every sense of the word.”
Stephens added, “He can score from anywhere on the field, and then flip to defense and lock down your best receiver.”
Finney’s spring and summer will be packed with visits, including trips to Miami, Georgia, Baylor, and Purdue before the end of the school year. But he’s not caught up in the hype.
“I’m not chasing a logo,” he said. “I’m not chasing the money. I’m looking for fit, culture, and the right coach.”
It’s that mindset — paired with elite talent — that sets Finney apart as one of the most intriguing freshmen in the country.
Concordia Lutheran Sr. QB Tanner Huckfelt signs with Butler University on February 5th
THE BUTLER WAY: Concordia Lutheran’s Huckfelt signs with Butler ahead of graduation
At long last, the star quarterback for ‘Sader Nation’s renowned football program has decided where he’ll call home in the near future.
Just three months after leading Concordia to a respectable 7-4 record and a spot in the TAPPS-D1 postseason, senior Tanner Huckfelt announced his commitment to continue his playing career at Butler University on Tuesday night.
Though a coaching change was made in December with the hiring of Kevin Lynch, the former offensive coordinator at Ball State and son of Butler alumnus and former head coach Bill Lynch (1985-1989), Huckfelt’s most recent official visit to Indianapolis sealed the deal.
“Whenever I got up there to meet him (Lynch) and see what he’s about, and everything he’s bringing to Butler, that really sparked my interest more than it initially was,” Huckfelt said. “Plus, whenever I went there before, there weren’t any students on campus, so I didn’t get the full experience until this last visit. That kind of did it for me—seeing all the activity and understanding where I would be.
“I also got to sit in a meeting with their quarterbacks coach, Eddie Schott, who originally recruited me. We went over some of their plays, and he explained how things would work for me as the QB and how I’d fit in. I just loved everything about it. Both Lynch’s and Schott’s philosophies really spoke to me.”
Huckfelt made his decision just in time for National Signing Day (February 5th), and this will mark the third Huckfelt child to become a next-level athlete, following his older brothers, Carson (Southwestern football) and Brady (St. Edward’s baseball).
While home and family are important to the soon-to-be Bulldog, the prospect of a new environment has him eager for June to arrive.
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
“I’m excited to be on my own, in a way, and embrace that independence when it comes to school, football, and life in general,” Huckfelt said. “Of course, I’m still going to talk to them (his family) about everything that happens at practice, the game plan, and watch film with my dad, just like we always do before games. But they’ve prepared me well, and I think I’m ready to go.”
When asked what he thinks he’s most improved on since joining the Crusaders as a sophomore, Huckfelt was quick to respond.
“Leadership,” he said. “Coach (Willie) Amendola taught me so much—not only about football but also about what it means to be a leader in general. I think the practices will stick with me the most once I graduate because taking it all in has had such a profound impact on me. At this point in my life, I know I made the right decision when I transferred to Concordia.”
Huckfelt is now in the closing stages of his high school career, currently competing on the track team. But soon, he’ll realize his dream of playing college ball, while also pursuing a degree in Sports Media.
For now, he can relish in the moment when he finally puts pen to paper.