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Christian Denton has been playing football since he was 5-years-old. On Monday, Denton chose to extend his playing career four more years.

In the Morristown East Auditorium in front of friends and family, Denton signed to continue his football career at Manchester University in North Manchester, IN.

“It’s a big day,” Denton said. “I get to continue playing football. I’ve been playing since I was five, and I’m just excited and ready to get back on the field.

Denton didn’t have to wait very long to figure out where he wanted to go to continue his football career. Denton said that Manchester reached out as soon as his senior season came to an end. It was the constant communication that swayed Denton.

“Just the love the coach showed to me,” Denton said. “He reached out to me and was texting me everyday. I just loved the love that I was given.”

It was a solid high school career for Denton, who starred on the ‘Canes offensive line. Denton started for East for multiple years and was named to the Region 1-6A All-Region Team, as well as the Citizen Tribune All-Lakeway Team, in 2022.

For Denton, his time at Morristown East will be something he will cherish and never forget.

“It was a family here,” Denton said. “I am going to miss every single one of them. I just wish I could get one more game with them. It was just one big family, and I loved it.”

Denton was also a part of a senior class at East that reached the Class 6A playoffs in 2022. To be able to do that was a special moment for Denton and he hopes that the classes to come will follow suit.

“I feel like we made a statement for the next senior class coming,” Denton said. “We just showed them that they can go out and do something and prove everyone wrong like we did.”

When Denton gets to Manchester, he will be focused on not just one position, but every position on the offensive line. While that would be challenging for some, Denton said he is more than ready to take it on.

“I can play anywhere they need me,” Denton said.

Before Denton heads to Indiana, he still has a few months left at East. During that time, and in the summer, Denton wants to continue to improve so that he will be ready for the rigors of college football.

“I just want to get stronger and faster,” Denton said. “Just want to work on everything that I can get better at.”