Withrow, Rutledge compete in all-star game

A good year for the West in the West Nebraska All Star games held this past Saturday in Scottsbluff. The West All Star Volleyball Team won over the East 3 matches to 2, and the West All Star Football Team dominated the East All Stars 25-7 giving up a lone touchdown to the East with 9.6 seconds left in the contest.

We had no one from our immediate area involved in the volleyball but Kimball was well represented in the football game with coach Nick Kuxhausen and players Jonathon Withrow and Damien Rutledge. Somewhat of a different role for all of the Kimball people as coach Kuxhausen always handled the offense for his Kimball teams and at the All Star game he was in charge of the defense. Our two players of course went both ways during their Kimball High careers with Withrow emerging as the all time top rusher with a new school career rushing record before he graduated, but at the All Star game he was defense only and did a great job as a defensive back getting his share of tackles and a fumble recovery. It wasn't a case of him not being qualified as a running back on offense, but in talking with some of the game officials, they told me they had 8 really good running backs and needed help more-so on defense. Jon told me they asked him if he would mind going defense only and he told them, "I am here to play football and will play where ever you want and need me." Jon was recruited by Dakota Wesleyan as a running back and that is where he will most likely play at the college level.

Damien Rutledge, who was recruited by Midland University as a possible linebacker/fullback, went all the way Saturday as an offensive guard and again, did a great job. Listed on the roster as the shortest player for the West at 5'7," he more than held his own against much larger defensive linemen, some as big as 300 pounds. Like Jonathon, Damien said he enjoyed the experience very much. "I have never been on a field with so many good players before," he said.

It was a long week of football for the All Stars as they reported on Tuesday, had one practice, then two on Wednesday, three on Thursday, and two more on Friday. I asked both Jon and Damien if after this tough week in the heat if they still had the passion and excitement for the college game that lies ahead and both assured me they were really excited for what lies ahead.

Jon said, "It was a lot of fun. It was nice to get the pads on once again and get out on the field and have some contact. I am really looking forward to this fall." Actually, Jon, like Damien, will report to his school in mid-August. In the mean time, Jonathon is working for the Nebraska State Road Department this summer and Damien is working in the Maintenance Department at the Kimball Manor. It was especially cool for both young men to have one more game with coach Kuxhausen and to come out with such a dominating win.