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Celina senior Landon Ackley, seated center, will attend Olivet College and play football for the Comets. Seated with Landon are his grandparents Gail and Randy Smith. Standing are Celina athletic director Derek Wenning, Landon's brother Tucker Ackley and Celina head football coach Brennen Bader.
CELINA - After being a sparkplug for Celina on both sides of the ball last season, Landon Ackley is looking to offer the same for Olivet College in Michigan.
The Bulldog senior committed to the NCAA Division III program on Thursday.
"It felt like home," said Ackley, who will major in computer science. "When I went up for a visit, the coaches made it feel like home. They just welcomed me. Really nice up there. (Celina assistant football coach Roy) Pifer got me up there. He talked to the coaches and they texted me to invite me for a visit."
The Comets, playing in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association, finished 5-5 after starting 5-0 and went 1-5 in MIAA competition.
"I like their defensive scheme," said Ackley. "They're still a good program, but they're building and looking for guys to fill roles. I think I can be a good role player."
Ackley rushed for 366 yards and six touchdowns and caught 12 passes for 160 yards last season, but it was on defense that he shined brightest, recording 50 tackles and leading the Western Buckeye League with seven interceptions with one interception return touchdown.
Ackley earned first-team honors from the Western Buckeye League and the Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association's Northwest District and was a third-team All-Ohio selection in Division III as Celina finished 6-5, losing in the first round of the playoffs to Bellbrook.
"One thing the coaches here at Celina preached on is work ethic," said Ackley. "I hope to bring that (to Olivet) and just grind."
