Vian Wolverines football players Jacob Brannick and Nathen Cheater have been teammate practically their whole Vian playing career — from little league up through high school. Now, that will continue on to the next level.
Brannick and Cheater each signed a letter of intent with Southwestern College, located in Winfield, Kan., in a signing ceremony Wednesday morning at B.J. Traw Gymnasium.
“They really stood out to me,” Brannick said. “They recruited me early on my junior year. They came and supported me a lot. It felt like home up there.”
“I was stuck in between colleges,” said Cheater, who played in the 2025 Native American All-Star Game on Jan. 7 at The Star in Frisco (Texas). “I went and toured (Southwestern). I saw the family environment and how they play (football). That really stuck out to me. It reminded me of home down here. It just made me want to commit.”
Both signees are glad their tenure of being teammates will still continue with the Moundbuilders.
“I committed, then I decided I wanted a teammate,” Brannick said. “So, I tried to get Nate to come up there. It settled out how we wanted it. It’s pretty exciting to have him up there with me. We can push each other to be the best we can.”
“(Southwestern) was definitely an option,” Cheater said. “I didn’t know if I was going to commit there yet, but when I saw that Jacob was going there — and that I was going to have a teammate up there — we can push each other. I knew I had to sign the papers to get over there. It’s really exciting knowing Jacob will be there. I know how he plays. We’ve been together since Day 1 (Vian Little League). It just gives us more competition within each other.”
“I’m real proud of them,” Vian coach Gary Willis said. “I’m going to miss them, but I’m proud and thankful for what they’ve done for us since little league — but for me since seventh grade. I’ve watched them grow up into good young men, not to mention the good football players they are.”
Both players believe they will be making immediate impacts for the Moundbuilders upon arriving in Winfield.
“There’s a chance,” Brannick said. “I’m going to push myself this summer when I get up there. I’m going to be a receiver.”
“I’m going to shoot for the offensive line,” Cheater said. “When I went up there, I was definitely wanted there (on the offensive line). That also made the recruiting process better (to end up choosing the Moundbuilders). I definitely would like to go up there, get on the offensive line and start getting wins.”
Both Wolverines said it was a dream to play college football — or college athletics, period. Now that the dream is becoming a reality, both players are extremely happy.
“It has been a dream all my life to do it (play college football),” Brannick said. “I’m very excited that it’s now become a reality.”
“It’s been a dream ever since my dad said I had the chance to do it,” Cheater said. “I started believing I could. I’ve put in the work since I was a little kid. It’s always been a dream (to play college football). You’re a small-town kid, and you don’t think you’re going to (play college football). You see all these other athletes go up before you (to the college level). You’re just excited to be able to fill their shoes. I’m really excited and ready to begin this journey. I’m ready.”
“Southwestern is getting two good character kids and two very good athletes,” Willis said. “They’ll go up there, and I expect them to play for them very soon.”
