Comet senior Josh Halligan signs to play football for Waldorf

By John Burbridge sports@charlescitypress.com

CHARLES CITY — Civilians on patrol don’t always get positive press.

For those who believe the criticism is warranted, Josh Halligan suggests maybe they should walk a beat in their shoes.

Or at least accompany them in a ride-along.

“That’s what got me really interested,” Halligan said of his first ride-along with the Floyd County Sheriff’s Department.

The Charles City senior later enrolled in the department’s intern program.

“You get to see the interaction they have with the community,” Halligan said. “You may see bad things about them on TV, but when you get to see how they interact with people, how the court system works, they really help a lot of people get their lives back together … work with them to overcome things like drug addiction.

“I want to help people. That’s why I’m pursuing a career in law enforcement.”

Halligan plans to major in criminal justice at Waldorf University in Forest City. He will also play football there as Halligan signed his letter of intent on Wednesday to continue his career with the Warriors.

“It’s a good fit for him,” Charles City football head coach Darren Bohlen said. “It’s a good NAIA program on the rise.”

Last season, the Warriors finished 7-4 overall and 5-3 in the North Star Athletic Association.

Halligan was an all-district second-team defensive end for the Comets this past season. He was among the team leaders in solo sacks and solo tackles for losses. He also recovered a fumble.

During the subsequent wrestling season, Halligan nursed a bum left shoulder — his good side — for the entire year but managed to win 29 bouts in the 220-pound class and qualified for the State Wrestling Championships.

Halligan was a thrower for the Comet track and field team, but he decided to shut his track season down in favor of getting his shoulder surgically repaired and concentrate on recovery for his first college football season.

“I just got over 40 feet in the shot put for the first time,” Halligan said of his last indoor meet. “I would have liked to stayed with it, but track was something I did for fun.

“I’m more competitive in football and wrestling.”

Halligan aims to honorably represent his hometown in Forest City.

“I want to show people down there that there are good football players in Charles City,” he said.