PIQUA — Piqua High School senior defensive end Landon Hare knew exactly what he was looking for when making his college choice.

And the son of Piqua Athletic Director Chip Hare and Angela Hare found exactly that.

Hare signed his letter of intent to play football for Baldwin-Wallace University on Friday in the Piqua High School commons.

“Basically, what I was looking for was somewhere that had the rich tradition, structure and success that the Piqua football program has,” Hare said. “And somewhere that plays a similar defense. And Baldwin-Wallace has all that.”

It just happens to be the same school where current Piqua football coach Bill Nees helped the Yellow Jackets win a D-III national championship in 1978.

And Nees feels like it is a perfect spot for Hare.

“The thing about Baldwin-Wallace is those facilities were owned by the Cleveland Browns at one time (before they built their own training camp),” Nees said. “So, they have everything in that facility that you are going to see at a Division I program. It is a great facility.”

The Piqua connections don’t end there.

Former Piqua standout Tyler Haines is the defensive coordinator at Baldwin-Wallace after a successful run as Urbana University coach.

“Baldwin-Wallace doesn’t normally come up this far south,” Nees said. “But, Tyler (Haines) had established this area in recruiting when he was at Urbana.”

Hare is thankful for that.

“I know they don’t normally come this far south,” Hare said. “Tyler (Haines) is a big part of me going there as well. I will play defensive end or some edge.”

Hare has been a big part of back-to-back undefeated seasons for the Piqua football team.

The 6-foot-2, 214-pound Hare had a breakout season as a junior, finishing second in the MVL behind teammate Jerell Lewis with nine sacks and had 24 tackles.

He followed it up this past season with 76 tackles, 5.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and three recovered fumbles.

The Indians had a record of 16-0 in the regular season for those two season and 20-2 overall, advancing to the D-II regional finals this year before losing to eventual state champion Winton Woods.

And Hare hopes to have the same kind of success at Baldwin-Wallace.

“I wanted to go somewhere where I would have a chance to make some kind of impact as a freshman — even if it is a small part and be part of something special,” Hare said. “I believe the training I have done and am doing will prepare me. I think my high motor will help me.”

As he looks to make his college career just as special as his high school career.