On Thursday at Fayette High School, senior offensive and defensive lineman Zane Rice signed a letter of intent to play football for Central Methodist University. While manning both sides of the line for Fayette, Rice explained the Eagles were planning on utilizing his blocking skills and converting him to fullback. Rice mentioned that although his familiar number 50 adorned the jerseys of both the Falcons and the Eagles draped across the table, he would no longer be wearing that number as he will be issued the number 42.

“Central kept me close to home and they gave me a pretty good scholarship so I couldn’t turn it down,” Rice said. “I’m looking forward to the change and being able to carry the ball.”

Rice lettered his freshman year, but suffered an elbow injury and had to sit out the year. After being cleared as a junior, he was able to play his first true varsity season. His senior year, he was voted All-Conference and All-District and received votes for state. 

Rice’s best game came as a senior when he amassed nine tackles and two sacks to go along with a forced fumble against Marceline.

Rice was quick to point out his team as being a big part of him being able to advance his football career. “My team was always supportive of me no matter what happened and always had my back like a second family. I’ll miss playing with them, but it’s time to make a new family,” said Rice.

“CMU has been a good situation for a lot of guys to be able to stay close to home and also participate at the college level,” said Fayette coach Mike Thompson..

“2019 was Zane’s first year coming back from a devastating injury to his arm that he sustained in a wreck. Working out was very difficult and he had to go through a lot of pain but he overcame those challenges and played every game. He’s just a good kid that shows up every day and is a quality football player as well.”