HARLAN -- The football pipeline from Harlan Community to Northwest Missouri State University continued Wednesday when HCHS senior James Cairney signed his national letter of intent to join the Bearcats.

Cairney, the son of Tony and Bonnie Cairney from Earling, becomes at least the sixth Cyclone athlete this decade to join the NCAA Division II football powerhouse located in Maryville, Missouri. The Bearcats have finished as national runner-up the last four years, including the last two with former HCHS quarterback Joel Osborn calling the signals.

A wide receiver/defensive back, Cairney was a three-year starter for the Cyclones and received some high honors this past fall, including: First Team All-State by the Des Moines Register and Iowa Newspaper Association; First Team All-Western Iowa by the Omaha World-Herald; and First Team All-District 8.

Cairney drew attention from numerous small colleges and was also offered a scholarship by NCAA D-II Upper Iowa. In the end, joining an elite program like Northwest was the biggest selling point he could ask for.

"I knew that they were a great program, and that's something I want to be a part of coming out of Harlan," Cairney said. "We're used to winning here, and I didn't want to go someplace where you're going to lose most of your games in a season. I like winning, like everybody else."

Cairney has been able to experience the electric game-day atmosphere at Northwest while watching from the stands.

"I've been to a couple games down there and I love it," he said. "It's like Harlan - everybody comes and supports the team."

As a receiver, Cairney averaged more than 800 yards the last two years and finished his career with 85 receptions, 1,816 yards and 29 touchdown catches. His career yards per reception was 21.4.

Listed at 5-11 and 185 pounds, Cairney also played the lockdown cornerback spot on defense, made three interceptions this past fall and returned punts and kickoffs. He is a sprinter for the HCHS track team as well and was the starting leftfielder on the 2008 state runner-up baseball team.

"James had a great career," said HCHS football coach Curt Bladt. "Whether it was offense or defense or returns, you knew he was going to give you his best effort.

"I didn't get to talk to him much over on the sideline because he was a busy boy."

Cairney, who is considering an education and career in teaching and coaching, says he will likely redshirt as a freshman next fall. From there, he hopes to make himself into a dependable wide receiver for the Bearcats, although playing defense might also be an option.

"I want to be a receiver, but I'd play either way; wherever they need me," he said. "I'd prefer (receiver) so I can go catch the ball and make some big plays."

Coach Bladt credits Cairney for keeping a "competitive edge year round" by running track and playing baseball, which he plans to continue this spring and summer. As for football, Bladt agrees that Cairney's future is on the offensive side of the ball.

"I kind of like him at receiver, catching the ball," he added. "He's got great hands, good speed, he runs good routes and he'll go get the football, wherever you put it."