Prairie View's Ashton Buckalew carries the flag for his team this season and will be heading to Ottawa University for college football in the fall.

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“It was definitely hard to make film when I was only able to play half a season. It was also hard not having the in person contact with college coaches.””

Ashton Buckalew, PVHS football player, Ottawa College recruit

                Prairie View’s Ashton Buckalew picked a college that has an interesting mascot .. a river otter.

                But he didn’t pick Ottawa (Kansas) University for the school nickname.

                “I chose Ottawa because it was the greatest decision for me and my family,” he said. “I loved the coaching staff, along with the environment of the program.”

His official visit included a chance to meet some of his new teammates “which made me fall in love with the school.”

“I was already kinda leaning towards Ottawa University,” he said. “But the visit is really what pushed me towards committing.”

Buckalew led the ThunderHawks with an average of nine tackles per game in 2021. He played in half the team’s games. He drew interest from other schools before making his choice.

Buckalew wants to get into the sports management field “and, hopefully go to work for a professional sports team.”

COVID has made recruiting difficult for many high-school athletes. Playing in a half a season in 2020 because of COVID didn’t help Buckalew.

“It was definitely hard to make film when I was only able to play half a season,” he said. “It was also hard not having the in person contact with college coaches.”

Buckalew isn’t scared or nervous about what’s to come .. “just excited to play football for another four years and go to school.”

“Thank you to everyone who helped along the way of my high-school career,” he said.