By Jeremy McDonald

jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com

SALEM, Ore.–  West Salem’s Zachary Dodson-Greene has made it official Wednesday morning.  Signing his Letter of Intent to play football at Montana State University, a Division-1 FCS program that went 12-3 and lost to FCS Powerhouse North Dakota State University in the Championship Game.

“Im very never been this excited for something before, mostly because I’ve been dreaming and working my whole life for it. I’ve been so focused on this my whole life that now that it’s come true it seems surreal,” Dodson-Greene said.

It’s a dream that came true, but it came from a lot of hard work and sacrifice through the years to make it happen.  A lot of off-season work led to the in-season success and the accolades at the end of the year as he went back to the off-season grind.  

A vicious cycle sure.  But it’s a vicious cycle that has set him up for this Division-1 opportunity going into the Fall of 2022.  It stems from within said Dodson-Greene in never wanting to be satisfied with what he achieved and only wanting to continuously improve.

” I personally am never satisfied and always feel I can do more and get better so I feel that is a good skill to have moving into a level like the one i’m going to be in because it’ll really push me to be the best version i can be and fit the scheme of such a powerful program,” said Dodson-Greene.  “The winning and hardworking atmosphere that (Montana State) have built there will continue to show me the proper ways and how exactly to push myself in the right directions just like how the coaches and program here at West did for me.”

Dodson-Green was first-team Mountain Valley Conference and second-team MVC Special Team’s Return Man this past season as the Titans went 9-2 and reached the 6A Second-Round before falling to Sherwood in a heartbreaking 35-27 game.  But for Dodson-Greene, spending the past few years at West Salem has helped him be at home as he takes the next step of his athletic career.

“Being at west has been the best. The people that i have met here have grown to be my closest friends. The teachers and coaches have been so caring and want nothing but success for everyone they meet which is very important. I feel like i can be myself around everyone here and that is good for someone to be able to grow and better themselves,” Dodson-Greene said.