Chase Orndorff was a major hitter for the Blacksburg High School football team’s defense that limited opponents to 15.5 points per game this season enroute to an 11-win mark.
Earlier today, he announced he will continue his playing career at the University of Charleston where he plans to major in business.
“It just seemed like a good fit for me. It isn’t too far away from home, and I really enjoyed the campus. Also, I really like the coaching staff,” he said.
Blacksburg’s success has also taught him a few lessons.
”I learned that when everyone does their job on and off the field and pushes one another, winning becomes the [norm],” he said.
Orndorff has fought off major injuries during his time in a Bruin uniform including a terrifying ankle injury in his sophomore year that left many wondering if he would ever play again. Doctors realigned the ankle with the help of a few metal rods and plates, and he came back to the field with even more fire in his eyes.
“I’m in the best health now that I’ve been in all of my life. Even though I still have a metal plate and several screws in my body, it doesn’t bother me. I learned not to use the injuries as an excuse, and it just makes me work harder,” he said. Charleston is a member of the Mountain East Conference (MEC) and Orndorff will receive partial academic and athletic scholarships.
Orndorff was selected to the 3A all-state first team as a junior and then followed up this season as a 4A all-district, all-region and all-state defensive end.
The signing period has been pretty good for the team that took the 2016 state title. Three of Orndorff’s teammates also signed letters of intent today.
Cole Beck kept his commitment to Virginia Tech and signed on the dotted line. He was joined by Davis Roberson who is headed to Concord, and Camden Wise who will kick for James Madison Univeristy.
In two seasons, the group was 21-7 with two state playoff appearances and a state championship.
Beck plans to major in business. A four-year starter on the varsity football team, he produced 4,723 rushing yards, 6,027 total yards and 81 touchdowns during his career.
As a junior, Beck helped lead the Bruins to a 10-5 record and the 3A football state championship and then this season rushed for more than 1,800 yards and 32 touchdowns.
He also runs track for Blacksburg High School where he has nine individual and team state titles and a New Balance Outdoor All-American honor. He was also named the News Messenger’s All-County/All-City player of the year for the second year in a row.
Beck said he has been told by the Hokie coaching staff he will be given a chance to play running back.
In track, Beck gives the Hokies a sprinter they have missed in two ACC championships. He has been clocked with the nation’s elite runners in both the 100 and 200 meters. That included helping the Bruins to a state indoor title with a first place finish in the 55 meters. He also won both the 100 and 200 in the Group 3A outdoor championships. Then later in the month, he finished second in a national event in Greensboro with 10.41 seconds in the 100 meters.
Beck received offers from 22 colleges, including most of the schools in the Atlantic Coast Conference before choosing Virginia Tech.
Roberson (6’3, 300) will attend Concord University, which is located in Athens, West Virginia. The school is an NCAA institution and a member of the Mountain East Conference (MEC). Roberson will receive partial academic and athletic scholarships, which will add up to a full ride while enrolled at Concord University. He plans to pursue a career in teaching and coaching.
He has been a four-year member of the Bruin football program and was selected first team all-district; first team all-region and News Messenger All-County. He was also named the News Messenger’s All-County/All-City offensive lineman of the year.
Wise plans to pursue a career in sports and recreation management at JMU. He has also been a four-year member of the Blacksburg football team.
In addition to kicking, Wise also played defensive back and receiver for the Bruins. Prior to his senior year, he was ranked as a “5 star” kicker by Chris Sailer Kicking and later received six scholarship offers, including two at the FBS level.
Wise leaves Blacksburg as an all-district, all-conference, all-region and all-state kicker. He was alsoi named to the News Messenger’s All-County/All-City team.
