Wes Hills and Rob Kunst were college football players.

They attended different schools. Hill was a running back at Slippery Rock University, Kunst a tight end at Grove City College.

They came from different areas. Hills was a transfer from the University of Delaware who grew up in New Jersey. Kunst grew up in Butler and played ball for the Golden Tornado.

They played different roles on their teams. Hills broke SRU’s single-season rushing record. Kunst rarely toughed the football at GCC, serving more of a blocking role.

And both played college football at their respective schools with very different goals in mind.

Both appear to have achieved them.

While Hills was a serious student at Delaware, sporting a 3.0 grade point average there, his goal was to prepare for a shot at the NFL. He had an injury-plagued career at Delaware and had one year of college football eligibility remaining.

He needed to make it count.

SRU needed a running back. Hills needed somewhere to showcase his skills. They found each other and benefitted from each other.

Kunst knew his football career would end with his senior year at college. He wanted to build an academic resume’ while preparing for a career — along with playing football and experiencing the life lessons of being part of a team.

He wound up with a 3.9 grade point average — highest among all GCC athletic seniors — and is graduating with a degree in finance. His internship in Manhattan was so successful that he’s going back there to work.

Mission accomplished.

Hills has signed a free agent contract with the Arizona Cardinals, earning a chance to fulfill his NFL dream.

Mission accomplished again.

Hills is only one class shy of earning his college degree. He expects to complete his education in that sense.

SRU head football coach Shawn Lutz encourages his players to “shoot for the stars. Never sell yourself short.”

In other words, go after what you want in life and don’t let anyone discourage you in such pursuits.

Hills has his first shot at pro football. If that fails, other avenues are available — arena ball, the Canadian league, maybe even the new XFL — if he chooses to keep going.

Kuntz now has his foot in the door toward a fruitful career in his chosen field.

Both used football as at least a partial means to an end. Both had memorable final seasons. The Rock reached the NCAA Division II quarterfinals. Grove City turned its program around and ended its season by winning a bowl game.

All’s well that ends well.

For these two guys, all’s well that starts well — as well.

John Enrietto is sports editor of the Butler Eagle