Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

One of the premier NAIA football programs in the national picked up a pair of commitments from one of the top prep programs in the state in a span of two days.

City High seniors Jamari Newson and Darren Richardson each announced their commitment to perennial NAIA power Grandview this week with posts on social media.

Newson announced first, with a post on Twitter on Tuesday with Richardson posting his commitment to join the Vikings on Wednesay.

“I want to thank all of my coaches, teammates and friends for the support I have been given during my high school career,” Newson wrote on Twitter. “I feel blessed to have played for City High and to have played with all of my teammates, I love all of you. Coach Moore, coach McGhgy, coach Eads, coach Parker thank you for this past year, I appreciate you all. I am beyond blessed and excited to accept a football scholarship at Grandview University.”

Richardson and Newson each played central roles in helping City High to a breakthrough season in 2021.

The duo helped City High to a 10-2 record and a spot in the Class 5A state semifinals, snapping a string of four consecutive two-win seasons for the Little Hawks.

A 5-foot-11, 170-pound defensive back and wide receiver for the Little Hawks, Newson ranked third on the team in both receptions (20) and receiving yards (332) and tied for second on the team with four touchdown catches.

As a defensive back Newson had 24.5 tackles including 2.5 for loss and picked off a pass and recovered a fumble.

Newson also averaged 34.8 yards per kick off return and took a kick back 99 yards for a touchdown.

The 5-foot-11, 195-pound Richardson earned second-team all-state honors from the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association as a senior after rushing for a team-high 1,012 yards and 16 touchdowns.

Richardson also caught 14 passes for 216 yards and a score in his stellar senior season.

“First and foremost I want to thank my teammates and family and the whole City High organization for the unconditional support and love, you gave me since my first year. I will forever be a Little Hawk and I just want say I love you all for that best school in the world from staff all the way down to coaches,” Richardson wrote in his commitment announcement on Twitter.

Both Richardson and Newson are multi-year starters for the City High basketball team.

Newson leads the Little Hawks in scoring (13.8), rebounds (6.5), assists (3.9) and steals (2.6) while Richardson is averaging 6.8 points and 3.1 rebounds per game.

Grandview went 14-1 and lost to Morningside 38-28 in the NAIA national title game last season and is 34-3 with a pair of NAIA semifinal appearances over the past three seasons.

Did you enjoy this subscription free article? Help keep Your Prep Sports free by donating.