Zips Offer WPa WR

[Captain Kangaroo]

I guess at least he didn't "commit" to Akron, then say he was still waiting on WVa.

By Jamie Rankin

DAILY COURIER

Tuesday, August 16, 2005

For Uniontown wide receiver Quindell Dean, family and football are closely linked.

"My dad taught me a little bit about football, and I loved it," Dean said. "I started playing running back, and he sent me to a lot of camps."

Dean, who came to Pennsylvania from New Jersey and began playing football competitively in eighth grade, has attended camps at Florida State University and West Virginia University, among other places.

"I learned a lot of stuff," Dean said, adding that he also picked up knowledge from another family member. "I learned a lot from my brother (former Laurel Highlands standout) Jujuan Davis."

Davis, an all-conference and all-state selection at Laurel Highlands, must have taught Dean well. Dean caught 48 receptions for 626 yards and seven touchdowns for Uniontown in 2004. Now, as a senior, Dean is prepared to take the field again in hopes of adding to those numbers and, more importantly, increasing the number in the Red Raiders' victory column.

"We can win, as long as we play as a team and never give up," he said. "As long as you play hard, you'll win some games."

Dean said Uniontown's players, including Dean's cousin, tight end/defensive back Kevin Sanders, are excited about the season. They believe the team is brimming with talent on both sides of the ball.

"Our defense is so pumped up to win some games," he said. "Our offense is working. All we've got to do now is just work on our line, and we're looking good."

Dean is listed as a tight end and defensive back, and although he gets the most attention for his offensive performances, he said he enjoys both parts of the game.

"I like both; I just like hitting," he said. "Our defense this year is all about hitting. And we've got about 17 seniors, so I think we've got a lot of leadership."

At the helm, the Red Raiders have longtime coach John Fortugna, whom Dean characterizes as yet another family member.

"He's like a dad to us," Dean said.

Fortugna said Dean has been a good "son."

"He's a great young man. He's worked very hard in the offseason," Fortugna said. "He's a good football player and a good student."

After this season, Dean will leave his Uniontown family behind and move on to college, where he said he hopes to continue his football career. Dean also plays baseball and basketball and has run track for the Red Raiders, but the football field is his favorite athletic venue.

"I love football," he said. "When I go to college, I'll probably go for football."

He's already had a few offers from schools such as Buffalo and Akron, but Dean is holding out for a school which happens to be a bit closer to home.

"I'm waiting for West Virginia," he said. "I've always wanted to go there."

If the Mountaineers recruit Dean, he'll join another former Red Raiders player, running back Kevin McLee. The Red Raiders won the conference title in McLee's senior season, and Dean is focused on making that happen again.

"I think we're looking forward to winning the Keystone Conference this year," he said. "As long as we play together and use our talent, we'll win