HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL McGarry's focus on senior season

The Poland High tight end committed to Michigan State.
By BRIAN RICHESSON
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
POLAND -- Don't misunderstand Poland High senior Dan McGarry. He loves Michigan State University, where he committed to play football.
But right now, he has other concerns, which he's already discussed with his Poland teammates.
"I'm just worried about high school, doing what I can with this team and then moving on," McGarry said. "I'm not even thinking about college right now. I'm thinking about us winning."
The Bulldogs return 29 seniors to a team that went 7-3 and lost to Cleveland Benedictine in the first round of the playoffs.
Go-to player
Undoubtedly, the 6-foot-6, 242-pound McGarry will be at the center of Poland's offensive attack, using his big body at tight end.
"I have solid hands, and I don't buckle under pressure," said McGarry, when asked to list his strengths. "When we need a score, I want the ball. I'm not a guy who leaves it to some other guy."
Michigan State must love that kind of confidence.
McGarry gave the Spartans a verbal commitment in late June, but he brought his parents, Dan and Karen, to East Lansing, Mich., for the first time last weekend.
"We got there Saturday, and my parents took a tour of the campus," McGarry said. "We spent some time there as a family, without any influence of coaches."
And his parents' reaction?
"They loved it, especially the academic part," he said. "That's all they really cared about."
McGarry is undecided on a major, but he's looking into sports medicine. He'll also spend plenty of time on the football field.
Local connection
The Spartans recruited McGarry as a tight end. He joins former Poland quarterback Sean Clayton and Howland graduate Maurice Smith, a fullback/linebacker, at the school.
"When a kid that big moves that well, there's always a place for him on your team," said Paul Hulea, Poland High football coach, of McGarry. "He's a good recruit because of his size."
Michigan State coaches had seen film of McGarry's junior season, in which he was selected to the All-Metro Athletic Conference second team, but they hadn't seen him in person until a passing camp last month.
"He picked a good day to have a good day," Hulea said.
McGarry had his jersey number called often during a 7-on-7 scrimmage.
"I was open the whole day," he said. "I just ran down the middle of the field, and nobody was covering me. Even after I scored and kept getting first downs, they weren't covering me or couldn't cover me. I don't know."
Soon after the camp began, McGarry was summoned to the office of Michigan State coach John L. Smith, who then presented the offer.
"I thought they would have waited to see me in pads. I guess not," McGarry said. "I guess they were impressed."
richesson@vindy.com