One last chance to shine

While some have inked to play at the collegiate level, others will move on and perhaps play other sports or simply just move on and focus on their future away from the sport.
But for some, tonight’s Do or Die All-Star Bowl gives some at shot a redemption and others an opportunity they didn’t believe was possible.
The game gives players like Ryan Hesse a chance he didn’t get during his senior season.
Hesse played just three quarters of football during his senior year at Van-Far, before getting hurting toward the end of his team’s season opener. A four-year starter and a linchpin of the Indians’ offense and defense, Hesse is grateful for the opportunity that eluded him last fall.
“It was great to get out on the field one more time,” he said. “Tonight’s going to be fun for me. It’ll be a little closure for me because I’m not going to college to play, so it’ll be a good time for me. I’ll really enjoy it.”
At the beginning of the week’s practice, Hannibal’s Michael Failor also believed tonight’s game would offer closure to a high school career that saw him arrive out of nowhere as a junior and become a quiet force on the Pirates’ defense. Impressed with Failor’s skills and tenacity, a member of the Clark County coaching staff – the squad that will be leading the West – contacted a colleague at the collegiate level and informed them of the linebacker’s availability.
“I’m really excited about that. I’d love to play college football, but I’ve got to take care of some things,” he said. “I look forward to playing tonight in front of a bunch of scouts.”
Clark County head coach Matt Smith, who is 63-51 in 11 seasons with the Indians, enjoyed having the opportunity to put together a game plan with a star-studded roster at his fingertips.
“The fun part is the amount of talent you have to work with is really eye-opening… and getting to coach some kids that you’ve had to compete against,” said Smith. “As a coach at Clark County, I’ve got to go out there and prepare and find a way to stop a Brock Reed or a Zach Sutter from Palmyra or a guy like Alex Minor from Monroe City. Now I get to coach them and work with them, and that’s the fun part of it.”
“The challenging thing, and I think it’s the same for all of us, is bringing all these kids together in five days and trying to get them on the same page, as far as terminology and what you’re trying to do is probably the biggest challenge.”
For a player like Hesse, there is a certain degree of enjoyment in taking the field with players he has only seen on highlight reels or played against for the past four years.
“It’s great getting to play with them. They’re all great guys,” he said. “You’re in battle with them during the season, but out here you become friends with them. They really are great guys.”
Regardless of the final score, Smith hopes each player takes something positive away from the experience.
“It’s a great opportunity for the kids and you hope that it’s something that - win, lose or draw - 40 years from now they can have a grandkid sitting on their knee and be able to brag about playing in an all-star game and that it was fun and good experience for them,” he said.