Prep football: Tars’ Foley to Wheaton

NEWPORT BEACH - Newport Harbor High senior Joe Foley, a two-year

starter last fall, said he will continue his football and academic

careers at Division III Wheaton College in Illinois.

The versatile 6-foot, 235-pounder, who started at defensive tackle,

tight end and fullback at Harbor, will play either linebacker of

defensive line for the Thunder, which competes in the College Conference

of Illinois and Wisconsin.

“I’m very excited about getting the chance to continue to develop as

an athlete and as a person,” said Foley, who initiated the recruiting

process by sending some information to the Thunder coaching staff after

hearing about the school from a friend.

“I sent some game videotape and some articles about my powerlifting

(he was sixth in the 231-pound class for ages 17-20 last month at the

National Junior Weightlifting Championships) and they started recruiting

me very heavily,” said Foley, whose older brothers Steve and Shane also

starred at Newport Harbor.

Foley, who plans to major in business and pursue pastoral ministry at

Wheaton, said he also considered Cal Lutheran and Azusa Pacific. He made

his decision after visiting Wheaton March 22-24.

Wheaton has compiled a 76-26-1 record since 1991 and last year upset

previously unbeaten Augustana, 34-32, in its season finale. Augustana,

which won a share of its 19th CCIW crown last season, was then eliminated

in the first round of the NCAA playoffs by eventual Division III champion

Mount Union, 32-7.

-- by Barry Faulkner