Dunkirk Marauders lineman Adrien Washington (bottom right) signed his National Letter of Intent to play college football as a Mercyhurst Laker next season. Washington, joined by his mother, Leslie Krystofiak (bottom left), Dunkirk Interim Superintendent Sylvia Root (top left) and Dunkirk Principal Al Gens (top right) signed in front of a full classroom of family, students, teammates and coaches. OBSERVER Photo by Anthony Dolce.

Dunkirk’s Adrien Washington has been a defensive standout on the Marauders football team for all four years of his varsity career. And thanks to his stellar play, he’ll get a chance to stand out at the next level as well.

On Wednesday afternoon at 3 p.m. at Dunkirk High School, surrounded by family, teammates, and several students, Washington signed his Letter of Intent to continue his football career at Mercyhurst University in Pennsylvania.

Washington will join the Mercyhurst Lakers in the fall, and the small town atmosphere of the D-2 school already has him feeling at home.

“It’s a small campus,” Washington said. “The teachers and coaches seemed like ‘remember your name’ type people. I felt at home because it’s not super large. I like small places.”

As Washington makes the jump from high school to D-2, he knows nothing will be given to him easily. Fortunately, Dunkirk football prepared him for that aspect of the transition.

“My coaches here don’t give it to you easy,” Washington said. “I’m ready, I know what it’s like to have it be tough. It’s tough here.”

Coming in as a freshman will make it hard for Washington to see significant playing time right away, but sitting and waiting is something he’s used to. Washington was a freshman on the Dunkirk Marauders team that went to the State Championship game, and said he had to take in a lot on that run. Those skills he learned then will help with his jump to the next level.

“I was a freshman on that team, I had to observe a lot on that team,” Washington said. “As a freshman coming into college, you can’t expect to be in the starting line up. That’s not a problem.”

Dunkirk coach Mike Sarratori, who described Washington as his “little son,” said Washington can do whatever he desires when he puts his head to it.

“He leads by example,” Sarratori said. “He always did what was asked of him. He never asked what positions we would play him, he just quietly did whatever we needed. His quiet leadership is impressive.”

While Sarratori thinks that Washington may struggle with the quickness of the college level, Sarratori is confident Washington has found the place he’s meant to be.

“I know Mercyhurst is a very tough school football wise, and a very good school academically,” Sarratori said. “It couldn’t be a better fit for him.”

Washington will not be the only Chautauqua County resident to join the Mercyhurst football team this Fall, as the C/S/P Wolfpack’s Cameron Barmore will also join the Lakers for the upcoming season.