Photo by Elizabeth Raible Photography Warren Area High School senior Cayden Boyles-Wright has recently committed to play college football at Division II Edinboro University.

Cayden Boyles-Wright has been working for this moment.

The Warren Area High School senior recently committed to play college football at Division II Edinboro University.

“Of course, I was aware of the adversity and challenges that were ahead when you try to play high school football when you are 5-foot-2 and not even 100 pounds,” said Wright, “but I knew, one day, things would change if I just worked hard, so I would say I never let the size difference have an effect on my vision.”

Wright’s vision became more clear when he became the big-play receiver the Dragons needed.

In his junior year, Wright had 14 receptions for 181 yards and two touchdowns. He averaged 12.9 yards per catch and 18.1 yards per game with a longest play of 40 yards.

“Here is a young man who was pencil-thin as a ninth-grader, but had something you can’t teach — a work ethic to get better,” said former Warren head coach Mark Morelli. “His dedication in the weight room and his off-season work on the field allowed him to become one of the top playmakers in D10 this past season. That attitude will do him well at Edinboro.”

The Dragons needed a big-play receiver to replace Ben White, who graduated and now plays at Westminster College. Wright knew it, and responded with 35 catches for 542 yards and eight touchdowns. He averaged 15.5 yards per catch and 54.2 yards per game with a long of 80 yards. He had seven receptions for 150 yards and three scores against Girard, nine grabs for 95 yards and a score versus Fairview, and four catches for 138 yards and two touchdowns against Titusville. He was named a Region 4 first-team all-star at wide receiver.

“To get past the adversities, I had to work harder than everyone else just to get to the level everyone else was at,” said Wright. “But also my faith and trust in God throughout my high school career led me to where I am now, definitely. Some of my weaknesses in my game are definitely my speed; I worked on that a lot going into my senior season, but a strength in my game I would say is catching the ball for sure.”

Wright has had the support of family and friends all the way.

“Cayden has always been an amazing and dedicated athlete,” said his mom, Chelsea Panza. “Even playing flag football, you could see his drive and motivation. He puts his heart and soul in it, and it shows. Even on top of all of that, he’s a great student so his future has endless possibilities. I am super excited about this next chapter in his life and can’t wait to see how God directs his path. I’m definitely one proud mom.

“He didn’t really start to seriously grow and put height and weight on until 11th grade,” said Chelsea. “Some of those boys look like grown men out there, so I was definitely praying protection for him before each and every game. We’ve been so super blessed with no serious injuries. He’s always been super-dedicated in the weight room and also with his diet. Protein, protein, protein!”

The fact his father, Mike Wright, also played college football “pushed me to achieve that level someday,” said Cayden.

“My dad has always been my biggest influence and my hero, pretty much who has helped me through my entire high school career on and off the field,” said Cayden. “Like I said before, my trainer, Eric Rozanski, has always been there early mornings and late nights always helping me get better physically and as a person. Lastly, I would say my mom and my ‘mimi,’ who always helped teach me to be respectful and a godly person and to trust God through everything in life.

“I feel like it’s always been a dream of mine to play college football at any level,” he said. “I always felt like I had the work ethic and the support of my family to play one day, but once I started to get older and closer to college, I knew that it was definitely a possibility.”

And now it’s a reality.

“I chose Edinboro because the coaches and players when I went on both of my visits were very welcoming and friendly and it just felt like home when I was there,” said Cayden. “The campus is also beautiful and (Edinboro has) what I am looking to study, which is the most important thing. There were around 11 other schools that showed interest and offered, but none felt like Edinboro when I went on my visits. I would like to thank all of the other coaches and schools who recruited me.”

The early childhood education major will become a mentor himself when he graduates from college, so he’s grateful for those who have been there for him along the way.

“High school football just brought memories and friendships that you can’t find anywhere else but on that field,” said Wright. “I feel like just the environment of those games and practices with the guys on the team is what helped build that love for the game.”