E.A. Sports Today

‘Very tough’

Despite run of injuries during his junior and senior seasons, Cleburne County’s Dingler earns shot to play football in college, at Lindsey Wilson.

Cover photo: Cleburne County’s Jake Dingler (front row, second from right) poses for pictures with his coaches during Monday’s signing ceremony. (Submitted photo)

By Joe Medley
East Alabama Sports Today

Jake Dingler’s high school career was a bumpy ride of productive games and injuries, but the ride led to his induction into the three percent.

He’ll be among the roughly three percent of prep athletes who get a chance to play in college.

Dingler made it official Monday, signing to play for Lindsey Wilson College.

The 5-foot-10, 205-pound linebacker said he chose LWC over Missouri Baptist University, Union College and William Penn University.

“I just went there and liked the coaches a lot,” he said. “Some of these schools, it’ll be one coach that will offer you. Lindsey Wilson, it’ll be their whole coaching staff that will review your film, and they’ll all decide together if they want you or not.

“That kind of won me over, and they all talked to me and tried to build a relationship.”

Dingler played 11 games as a senior despite a run of injuries that included turf toe, AC joint sprain and broken hand. He suffered a torn labrum as a junior and had that shoulder surgically repaired, causing him to miss a chunk of the season.

“Jake is a very good ball player,” Cleburne County coach Joby Burns said. “Very tough, hard-nosed player that will be missed greatly.”

Dingler led Cleburne County in tackles as a sophomore and senior seasons. As a senior, he finished with 41 solo tackles, 46 assists, six tackles for loss and two sacks.

“Aside from the injuries, I loved every single second of it,” he said. “Even with the injuries, it was still great.”

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