Kyler Thompson, a 2010 Iola High graduate, received a telephone call a week ago. It was from Hayden High School’s head football coach Bill Arnold.
Arnold also is the head coach for the East squad of the 2010 Kansas Shrine Bowl All-Star Football Game. Arnold called to ask Thompson to play in the 37th annual all-star football game.
“Kyler is a good player and he was next on our list of alternates,” Arnold told the Register in a telephone interview Tuesday.
“We’re excited to have him on the squad.”
Arnold said Jace Lowe of Silver Lake had not recovered from an injury and wouldn’t be able to play in the all-star game. Teams for the annual all-star football game are chosen by Kansas media plus the coaches involved with the game have selections.
When players selected have to decline for whatever reason, there are alternate lists for each squad.
Thompson is the first Iola High player to play in a Kansas Shrine Bowl since 1989. Larry John Kress was selected that season. According to Shrine Bowl website records, Tim Sinclair (1987) and Mike Taylor (1985) were the only other IHS players selected to play in the Shrine Bowl.
“I’m really honored to play in the Shrine Bowl. I guess I just want to go out and prove what Iola High football is about,” Thompson said. “I believe our players can play with anybody and I’m looking forward to having a great time with the other players during the whole experience.”
Thompson joins Crest High’s Micah Smith on the East squad. The East squad reports to Shrine Bowl training camp at Emporia State University on July 23.
Thompson will play his second all-star football game bookending his summer. He played in the 2010 U.S. Army Friendship Bowl June 5, recording six unassisted tackles, five assisted tackles and a forced fumble.
On July 31, Thompson will play linebacker for the East All-Stars on the field he’ll play college football on this fall. The 2010 Shrine Bowl is at Pittsburg State’s Carnie Smith Stadium.
Thompson has a football scholarship to Pittsburg State University.
“It’s going to be a blast playing at Pittsburg. All my future coaches will be there watching,” Thompson said.
Thompson is a 6-2, 220-pound linebacker who was a four-year starter for the Mustangs with more than 500 career tackles.
He led the Iola defense in tackles the past three seasons. As a senior he had seven quarterback sacks. He also recorded three career interceptions and four fumble recoveries.
Thompson earned Southeast Kansas League honors the past three season — first team linebacker as a sophomore and a senior. He received Kansas All-Class 4A state honors as a senior.
He is the son of Kent and Susan Thompson, LaHarpe.
The Kansas Shrine Bowl All-Star Football Game is an annual event featuring two football teams composed of 68 of the best graduated high school players from the East and West.
Kickoff for this year’s game at Carnie Smith Stadium in Pittsburg is 7 p.m. July 31.
Proceeds from all Shrine Bowl events support the Shriners Hospitals for Children, a network of 22 hospitals that provide expert, no-cost orthopedic, burn, and spinal care to children under 18. Children are admitted free to Shriners Hospitals for Children without regard for race, religion, nationality, creed, or relationship to a Shriner.
Advance reserved chair back tickets for the game are $20. Adult general admission tickets are $12 in advance. Student tickets (K-12) are $6 in advance. Game day tickets, if available, are $1 more at the gate.
Other Shrine Bowl events scheduled in Pittsburg on July 31 include an open 2-mile road race that includes 60 cross country all-star runners, a giant Shrine parade and a high school combine and clinic.
Additional information and tickets can be purchased through the Shrine Bowl office by calling 1-800-530-5524.
The Shrine Bowl website address is ksshrine.com and the e-mail address is [email protected]. Online ticket orders are located at pittstate.edu/office/tickets/athletics/index.dot.
Iola’s Thompson to play in Shrine Bowl game
