Wallinger finds opportunities await in Peru football program

A little interest from Peru State College went a long way in catching the eye of former Diller-Odell receiver Cody Wallinger.

Wallinger can now look forward to playing for the Bobcats football team after signing a National Letter-of-Intent with the school.

“They (Peru) showed the most interest in me and I liked their campus,” Wallinger said. “I like how they do things there.”

Wallinger said he originally looked to play basketball at college and looked at several schools, including the University of Nebraska-Kearney, Central Community College and Southeast Community College. After investigating his possibilities, Wallinger found that the best opportunity for his desired career in coaching was with the Peru State football team.

“I wanted to play basketball, but the best opportunity available is going into teaching and student coaching at Peru,” Wallinger said. “I think Coach (Terry) Clark is a great coach and he has a good coaching staff.”

Wallinger said he expects to have a couple years in the program to get accustomed to the system's intricacies before seeing serious playing time at the college.

“They have a couple good receivers out there right now,” Wallinger said. “I don't expect to start right away, but I'll learn the system and see myself starting in a couple years.”

Wallinger said he really likes how wide receivers are used in Peru's program.

“They (Peru) pride themselves on having receivers that are able to block,” Wallinger said. “They have to block for them (runningbacks) to get outside and bounce out a big run.

“I really like blocking, because it's another way to make a big difference on each play.”

Wallinger said his biggest goal in preparing for the fall is getting himself into a position where he can contend for a starting spot for the Bobcats.

“I've been lifting weights a lot, like every other night,” Wallinger said. “I've been trying to get my speed and strength up.

“Playing in college is a lot different than high school.”

Off the field, will major either in social science education or physical education, with the goal of becoming a history teacher and a coach in the future.

“Both of my parents are teachers, so I have a big influence there,” Wallinger said of his desire to teach. “I like to do what I love, which is sports, so I'd also like the opportunity to coach.

“My coaches have had a big influence on me and I'd like to pass that on to more kids someday.”

Wallinger said the coaching styles of Clark and former Diller-Odell coach Mike Meyerle are similar, which helped in his decision to attend Peru.

“With Coach Clark and Coach Meyerle, you really have to prepare yourself mentally and physically,” Wallinger said. “They don't take anyone lightly and they're out there to win.”

Wallinger said it was that attitude that helped the Griffins come back from a 28-8 deficit to beat Polk-High Plains this season in what was one of Wallinger's most memorable games at Diller-Odell.

“That game taught us all a lot about perseverance,” Wallinger said. “There's going to be times when things aren't going your way. You're not making catches, not seeing holes, but you can't get down on yourselves.”

Wallinger said the Griffins' effort on the field in the second half of that game mirrored the lessons he was taught, and the lessons he hopes to someday pass on to his players.

“We stuck with the gameplan and we didn't give up,” Wallinger said. “Because that was the way we were taught to play.”