BEACON FALLS — Former Woodland three-sport standout Tanner Kingsley is headed to East Coast Prep in Great Barrington, Mass. to concentrate on his football career.
A three-year starter at quarterback, Kingsley set all-time passing records in Connecticut with 8,393 yards and 113 touchdowns. As a senior, the left-hander tossed state bests of 3,613 yards and 45 touchdowns to lead the Hawks to a 12-3 overall record.
“It’s exciting getting another chance to go in and prove myself and improve my game and get to the next level,” said Kingsley, who made the decision in June. “Not knowing where I was going bothered me a little bit. I had options, but this is the best one. I want to take my game to the next level and see how it workout.”
His options were from Division III football and baseball schools. He’d like to play football at the Division I or II level.
“I think the big reason why I was overlooked was my size,” said Kingsley, who is 6-foot-1, 160 pounds. “I need to get bigger and stronger and fine-tune my game. I’m working on my reads and definitely will get my arm strength up.”
There will be three quarterbacks in camp at East Coast when practice begins Aug. 23. East Coast opens the season Sept. 7 against the Bryant University junior varsity followed by the West Point JV on Sept. 14.
“I was told that everyone plays and gets in,” Kingsley said. “There’s going to be competition, and I will have to compete for whatever time I get.”
The versatile Kingsley set a school record for 1,312 points in basketball and earned All-Naugatuck Valley League honors as a senior. A two-time All-NVL player in baseball, Kingsley also earned All-State honors this spring. He was a two-time All-NVL pick in football and was All-State as a junior.
“What I did in high school, I wouldn’t have been able to do that without all of the great coaches and teammates,” Kingsley said. “When I look back on all of the things that I accomplished, I am proud.”
