Cubs’ trio heading off to next level

Monday, May 8, 2017
Devin Clar recently signed his national letter-of-intent to play football for the University of the Cumberlands in Kentucky, flanked by his mother (Martha) and father (Tim). Witnessing (back, from left) were GHS principal Russ Hesler, GHS head coach Mike Meyer and GHS athletic director Greg Hill.
Banner Graphic/Joey Bennett

Successful high school football teams normally produce a lot of college players, and last fall’s Greencastle Tiger Cubs are no exception.

Quarterback Nick Costin, center Spencer Rhine and running back Devin Clar all recently signed national letters-of-intent to play college football.

Nick Costin signs his national letter-of-intent to attend Wabash, flanked by parents Kim and Nolan. Witnessing (back, from left) were GHS principal Russ Hesler, GHS head coach Mike Meyer, brother Alex Costin and GHS athletic director Greg Hill.
Banner Graphic/Joey Bennett

Receiver J.T. Matthews earlier signed to run track for Bethel College, while lineman Elijah Williams will sign later this week to throw the hammer for Hanover and versatile Jackie Scanland will sign with Franklin later this month for football.

“As a group of seniors, they have been a big part of our success,” Greencastle coach Mike Meyer said. “They are all integral to what we did both offensively and defensively. On top of that they are all great kids and great people.

“I am going to miss coaching them.”

Spencer Rhine recently signed his national letter-of-intent to play football for Wabash, flanked by sister Courtney (left) and mother Tracy (right). Witnessing (back, from left) were brother Zach Rhine, nephew Lincoln Rhine, GHS principal Russ Hesler, GHS head coach Mike Meyer and GHS athletic director Greg Hill.
Banner Graphic/Joey Bennett

Meyer is pleased with the new homes for his former players.

“I think they all made great choices,” he said. “They have been talking about it since the season ended, and they were always keeping me in the loop.

“We discussed the pluses and minuses of each school, and the way it all played out I think they are very happy,” he added. “That’s the most important thing, and that’s what we want for them.”

Meyer knows the program’s younger players look up to the departing veterans, and they hope to follow in their footsteps someday.

“They have set good examples for our younger kids,” Meyer said. “We have some big shoes to fill.”

Costin and Rhine will remain teammates this fall as they both will head north to compete for Wabash.

Nick Costin
Banner Graphic/Joey Bennett

Costin completed 78 of 158 passes for 787 yards and eight touchdowns, with five interceptions, last fall in leading the Tiger Cubs to a 9-2 record.

“My main reason for choosing Wabash was to make myself the most successful person I can after college,” Costin said. “Wabash gives me the best opportunity to provide for my family after I graduate. They have a really good football team, so it was a no-brainer.”

Costin said that Connor Rice of Indianapolis Cathedral, the signal caller for the Little Giants last season, is graduating so there will be a starting job up for grabs.

“They are going to have to find someone new,” he said. “I hope to come in and compete for that starting job. I will do whatever it takes to get to that spot, no matter how long it takes.”

He is looking to go into a major field of study that will direct him to the medical profession, but is unsure exactly what his major will be.

Spencer Rhine
Banner Graphic/Jared Jernagan

Rhine will look to fill the middle of the line for the Little Giants, also using his long-snapping skills to get on the field as fast as possible.

“I chose Wabash because I felt it was the best fit for me academically,” he said. “I will be able to get on the right path toward my future. The football is great there, also, and I can’t wait.”

Rhine plans to major in rhetoric and minor in business and economics, and he hopes to do something in the business field.

“They will have most of the linemen back, but they also want me to long-snap my first year,” said Rhine, who served as the team’s long snapper the past four seasons. “Long snapping is hard, but once you get it down it’s kind of second nature. I’m trying to be as versatile as I can when I step on the field.”

Like his teammates, Rhine looks back fondly upon his Tiger Cub career – which saw the team have one of the best turnarounds in state history in improving from 1-9 to 9-2 in his last two seasons.

“My four years here were definitely filled with ups and downs,” he said. “I’m glad we experienced the downs, because it made this year a whole lot better. When I look back at this year, it will definitely be one of the most favorite years ever.”

Wabash finished 8-2 last year and in a three-way tie for second place in the North Coast Athletic Conference at 7-2.

Clar will take his running and receiving skills to the University of the Cumberlands, an NAIA school in Williamsburg, Ky.

Devin Clar
Banner Graphic/Jared Jernagan

Last fall, Clar carried the ball 270 times for 1,874 yards to rank him 13th in the state. He scored 20 touchdowns.

The Patriots finished 4-6 last year, and Clar is ready to take his game to the next level after establishing a Greencastle school record with 2,932 career rushing yards.

“They went to the NAIA championship in 2013 and lost by 10 points,” Clar said. “They have been pretty successful, and have had four players to go on to the NFL. They are all about hard work, and that’s what I like about it.”

Clar noted the team formerly ran a Wing-T offense, but is changing to a spread offense this year.

“They had a couple of seniors to graduate, but had some juniors who will move up this year. I think maybe in the near future I can be on the field.”

Clar said he likes the fact the team runs a spread offense, which Meyer has run at Greencastle the past two years.

“I’m pretty comfortable with it and I know a lot about how it works,” said Clar, who plans to major in physical therapy. “It sets up a lot of screen plays and swings, and gives the quarterback another option.”

Clar admits it seems like an incredibly long time since his high school football career ended in November.

“Sometimes I drive by the field and look down there, and wish I could be out there playing next year,” he said. “It was a great experience here.”

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