SPANISH FORT, Alabama—Spanish Fort defensive end Chris Morehouse signed Wednesday to play for the McPherson College Bulldogs in McPherson, Kansas. The NAIA program competes in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference. Morehouse helped the Toros to two state football titles in three years.

At 6-foot-5 and a lean 225 lbs, Morehouse —who fits the bill of the tall, lean, quick and stronger-than-he-looks pass rusher and containment lineman—said McPherson fits some important desirables for him.

“I have been looking for a small college like this to go to where I could have a chance to play early if not right away and be an impact player,” he said. “They also are losing some seniors at the position (DE) and one of the starters last year, a junior, is moving back to linebacker. So, I hope to step in there and hopefully show what I can do.”

His long arms and overall height are a natural complement to the position said SF head football coach Mark Freeman.

“Chris knows how to generate and use that leverage to his advantage. He can keep most tackles at arms length and see over a lot of them at the same time. He keeps his feet moving and does a good job of protecting the outside while moving forward. He can spin to the inside and close down hard and quick. He also does a good job containing a quarterback on a scramble. And he’s still growing. McPherson got a good one. But in Chris, they also got a fine young man. We are all so proud of him. We know Spanish Fort will be represented well, both our school and the community. Of course we will miss him but he has been a great role model for our younger players. He’s always been good at helping them get better. Very unselfish kid on and off the field and that says a lot about his parents and family—such good people.”

Morehouse plans to study architectural restoration and graphic design and added that he had a lot of people to thank for his success. “My mom and dad have always been there for us. My sisters (Taylor, Rebecca) and me — we just know they will do anything for us. And they just want us to do our best at whatever and I wouldn’t be here right now without their support. They taught us by example, they sacrificed for us and I want be the best person I can be for them so they can also count on me. We’re a team. Always will be. I also want to thank coach Freeman and and all my coaches and teachers for believing in me and my teammates and friends, too.”

The Bulldogs head coach and offensive coordinator is Peter Sterebeck. His DC is Steve Fox. Twelve McPherson student-athletes made the KCAC All-Conference Football list for the 2012 season. The Bulldogs finished 2012 at 4-5 overall and 4-4 in the conference for a sixth-place finish. Two conference losses were by three points or less. MC was picked ninth in a preseason poll. Their last KCAC championship was won in 2010 and made it to the title game in 2009.

“I think we have a strong recruit class coming in up there and I believe the coaches and all the guys are committed to be in the running for the conference next year,” Morehouse said.

A competitor in track and field as a thrower, he has also been invited to compete for the MacMen track team next year.

“One of the football coaches is also the throws coach in track and said he wants me to throw the javelin. So I’m looking forward to that, too.”