By Morgan Rode sports@newmedia-wi.com
Leader Photo by Morgan Rode Bonduel senior Parker Bohm signs his letter of intent to play football at UW-Eau Claire on Wednesday at Bonduel High School. Also pictured is Parker’s mother, Sarah and father, Denny.
Leader Photo by Morgan Rode Bonduel senior Isaac Garside signs his letter of intent to play football at UW-Stout on Wednesday at Bonduel High School. Also pictured is Isaac’s father, Gary, and mother, Ava.
After years of hard work and standout play on the football field, Bonduel seniors Parker Bohm and Isaac Garside each took the next steps in their athletic careers, signing letters of intent to play collegiate football.
Bohm will attend UW-Eau Claire, while Garside will play for UW-Stout next fall. Both players signed their letters of intent in front of family and friends at Bonduel High School on Wednesday afternoon.
“It was a great feeling. Not many high school players get to go on to the next level and it’s just a huge accomplishment for me,” Bohm said of signing. “I’m proud of myself for that.”
“It made me feel like all my work did pay off,” Garside said. “For younger people, it means dreams are possible. I’ve always dreamed of playing college football and pursuing the game past high school. It felt good.”
Bohm accumulated most of his passing numbers over his final three years of high school, making an all-conference team in his sophomore, junior and senior seasons.
He threw for 1,507 yards and 16 touchdowns this past fall, helping the Bears to a 6-4 record overall and 5-2 mark in the Central Wisconsin Conference-Large Division.
Bohm said he visited between 10-12 schools that offered his major (Kinesiology-Exercise Science) before choosing Eau Claire as his perfect fit.
The high school standout said he chose to pursue football over basketball or baseball because of his love of the game and the preparation it requires.
After breaking the school record for passing yards, Bohm hopes to suit up behind center for the Blugolds. Bohm will get to learn under new UWEC coach Wesley Beschorner.
“So far I’ve started communicating with a couple incoming freshmen,” Bohm said of his interaction with the team. “We just got a new head coach that we signed this last week. He was the former quarterback coach at Maryland, so he’s got a ton of experience with the quarterback position. I think that benefits me a lot, coming from someone that has so much experience.”
Garside also excelled in the latter portion of his high school career, ending his career as the school’s all-time leader in receiving yards and receptions.
He made the all-conference first team on offense in each of the past two seasons, totaling 17 receiving touchdowns over that span.
Garside talked with between 20-25 schools, visiting 15-18 of them. The running back and receiver chose Stout because of the fit and academic side of things. Garside plans to major in Special Education.
Also a multi-sport athlete, Garside chose football over track and basketball. In talking with members of the team, Garside expects to play a sort of hybrid role as a running back and receiver, along with getting work on special teams.
Like Bohm, Garside’s favorite moment as a Bear came in the fall of 2017 when Bonduel upset Iola-Scandinavia on the road.
Garside received another football honor just a few days ago, being named to the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association All-Star Game as a member of the Small North team.
“I get to showcase my skill to a whole new different crowd,” Garside said. “I feel like it was well-deserved. I don’t want to gloat or anything but I feel like I earned it. It’s going to be great to be able to say to my kids someday that I was one of the best in the state.”