Back on the gridiron

Thursday, June 22, 2017
Recent Greencastle graduates (from left) Nick Costin, Spencer Rhine, Devin Clar (wearing hat) and Elijah Williams take a pizza break after practice.
Banner Graphic/JOEY BENNETT

TERRE HAUTE — All four Putnam County high schools will be represented on Saturday night as the Wabash Valley Football Coaches Association plays its 13th annual All-Star game.

The game will kick off at 7:30 p.m. at ISU ‘s Memorial Stadium with a 7:30 pm kick-off.

Coaches for this year’s game are Brian Oliver from the Class A State Champion Linton Miners heading the Black Division squad and Trent Olson (now retired) from Sullivan’s Western Indiana Conference champs and sectional runnerup team handling the Gold Division squad.

The teams are made up from players from 34 Wabash Valley high schools.

Practices started on Sunday morning and have continued all week.

A banquet will take place tonight in Hulman Center to honor the players for their participation and also award scholarships voted upon by players and coaches.

The WVFCA will also be inducting three new Hall of Fame members tonight.

This year’s class includes former Rose-Hulman head coach Scott Duncan, former WTWO sports director Jason Pensky and the late Don Smith, former chairman of game sponsor First Financial Bank.

Greencastle’s Devin Clar is a running back for the Black Division team, and is enjoying his return to the gridiron this week.

Clar, who will play collegiately this fall at the University of the Cumberlands in Kentucky, admits being a little rusty at first when practice began.

“The first day was a little rough, getting back into the swing of things,” he said. “It’s pretty much back to normal now.”

Clar has enjoyed the camaraderie that forms each summer during the week-long event.

“To be able to get back out on the field, and meet some new friends has been great,” he said. “I think we have a good shot to win. Offensively, we are just trying to confuse them. Our defense is pretty stout, and should be able to stop their offense.”

Clar recognizes the event is pretty much a practice run for the experience he will face in a few weeks of trying to earn playing time on a college team of recruited high school standouts.

“It’s great to be able to play with a bunch of amazing athletes from so many different schools,” he said. “It’s a little preview for college. It’s been a blessing.”

Jackie Scanland of Greencastle talks with former head coach and Black Division assistant coach Mike Meyer during Thursday’s practice for the Wabash Valley Football Coaches Association All-Star Game.
Banner Graphic/JOEY BENNETT

Jackie Scanland, a teammate of Clar’s at Greencastle who will play at Franklin, literally never left the field for the Tiger Cubs and is enjoying an occasional breather in practice this week.

“Yeah, I get a little break once in a while,” he said. “We’ve been outside in warm weather playing football. There’s nothing better than that.

“It’s a great experience playing with all the top athletes from all the schools around here.”

Scanland agrees that his team should be successful in the game on Saturday.

“It’s been fluent, and we have good guys,” he said. “We can’t wait until Saturday.”

South Putnam’s Kyle Shaffer (28) waits his turn.
Banner Graphic/JOEY BENNETT

South Putnam graduate Kyle Shaffer will be playing in his final organized football game on Saturday after a stellar career with the Eagles.

Shaffer will continue his highly-successful wrestling career at Wabash next winter.

He still has a love for football, though, and is also enjoying the week.

“I was a little rusty at first,” Shaffer said. “I have really missed football; you don’t know how bad you miss something until it’s gone.”

Shaffer will be playing fullback for the Black Division, and should spend a lot of time blocking for long-time foe Clar when not carrying the ball himself.

“The week has gone great,” he said. “We are all coming together, and it’s been fun. It’s great to experience new things every day, and learn how different coaches teach things.

“Everything about this is great.”

Greencastle’s Spencer Rhine gets ready to snap the ball during practice for the extra-point team.
Banner Graphic/JOEY BENNETT
Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: