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He talked about it for years with his friends and teammates. Last Friday, Cody Maher didn't need to daydream anymore.
The explosive running back for the best football team in School of the Osage history will continue his playing career this fall at Central Methodist University.
Maher had a signing ceremony Feb. 3 in the School of the Osage library.
"It's awesome," Maher said. "A whole bunch of us close friends are always like, 'We're going to end up playing together in college.
"Now that the time comes, it's kind of nerve-racking but at the same time, I'm glad I made the decision. I'm proud of the decision and now it's done."
On the recruiting trip to CMU, Maher said he felt comfortable right away.
"All the coaches and everyone, they made you feel welcomed," Maher said. "The kids at the school were there and some of the football players came up and talked. I've already made a bunch of friends up there. It's just like another family. I really liked it."
Osage coach Dan Henderson said Maher was a cornerstone of his program.
"He's a hard worker, maybe one of the hardest working kids that I've ever coached," Henderson said. "He's one of those kids that's a multiplier — he brings in other kids around him."
Maher will join Eldon Mustangs Kody Taylor and Matt Pehle in Fayette.
Camdenton's Keegan Wirths is also CMU-bound.
"I like it," Maher said of playing on the same team as Taylor and Pehle. "That's really cool. I've got a lot of friends (in Eldon), so I'm looking forward to the chance to play with some new guys."
Maher fought through a mid-season knee injury last fall to return in time for Osage's postseason run. Maher missed two games but finished with 1,000 rushing yards and 13 total touchdowns for a loaded Osage offense that averaged 42 points per game.
"You look at his career numbers, I think he's up there in several categories, most touchdowns and things like that, he's been a big part of our program for the past three years," Henderson said.
Maher earned all-lake, all-district and all-state honors following Osage's 13-1 season and trip to the Class 3 state semifinals.
The Eagles play in the Heart of America Athletic Conference at the NAIA level. CMU's varsity team finished 5-5 overall last season and the JV team went 2-3.
Maher wasn't sure if he'd redshirt his first season.
"Depending on how I do (in preseason practices), that'll determine where I play I guess," Maher said.
He talked about it for years with his friends and teammates. Last Friday, Cody Maher didn't need to daydream anymore.
The explosive running back for the best football team in School of the Osage history will continue his playing career this fall at Central Methodist University.
Maher had a signing ceremony Feb. 3 in the School of the Osage library.
"It's awesome," Maher said. "A whole bunch of us close friends are always like, 'We're going to end up playing together in college.
"Now that the time comes, it's kind of nerve-racking but at the same time, I'm glad I made the decision. I'm proud of the decision and now it's done."
On the recruiting trip to CMU, Maher said he felt comfortable right away.
"All the coaches and everyone, they made you feel welcomed," Maher said. "The kids at the school were there and some of the football players came up and talked. I've already made a bunch of friends up there. It's just like another family. I really liked it."
Osage coach Dan Henderson said Maher was a cornerstone of his program.
"He's a hard worker, maybe one of the hardest working kids that I've ever coached," Henderson said. "He's one of those kids that's a multiplier — he brings in other kids around him."
Maher will join Eldon Mustangs Kody Taylor and Matt Pehle in Fayette.
Camdenton's Keegan Wirths is also CMU-bound.
"I like it," Maher said of playing on the same team as Taylor and Pehle. "That's really cool. I've got a lot of friends (in Eldon), so I'm looking forward to the chance to play with some new guys."
Maher fought through a mid-season knee injury last fall to return in time for Osage's postseason run. Maher missed two games but finished with 1,000 rushing yards and 13 total touchdowns for a loaded Osage offense that averaged 42 points per game.
"You look at his career numbers, I think he's up there in several categories, most touchdowns and things like that, he's been a big part of our program for the past three years," Henderson said.
Maher earned all-lake, all-district and all-state honors following Osage's 13-1 season and trip to the Class 3 state semifinals.
The Eagles play in the Heart of America Athletic Conference at the NAIA level. CMU's varsity team finished 5-5 overall last season and the JV team went 2-3.
Maher wasn't sure if he'd redshirt his first season.
"Depending on how I do (in preseason practices), that'll determine where I play I guess," Maher said.
