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Chitwood continues Bison Shrine Bowl tradition
Nebraska state high school athletes can earn a long list of awards and honors during their respective careers.
There's all-conference, all-state teams, state tournament qualifying, medaling at state competitions, to name a few. For Cornhusker State prep football players, perhaps there's no bigger honor than being selected to represent their school and community in the annual Nebraska Shrine Bowl.
The summer all-star gridiron classic annually matches some of the state's top high school football seniors from the previous fall. McCook High School has been one of the top Class B programs in recent years. At least one Bison player has been named to participate in the Shrine Bowl every year since 2001.
That string will grow to 12 straight years this summer when McCook senior Matt Chitwood trots on the Memorial Stadium turf in Lincoln. Chitwood was selected as a member of the South Shrine Bowl all-star squad for the 53rd annual Nebraska Shrine Bowl.
This year's all-star classic is scheduled for Saturday, June 2, at the University of Nebraska football stadium in Lincoln. Kickoff for this year's Shrine Bowl edition will be 1:30 p.m. instead of an evening start as in recent years.
"Strong Legs Run That Weak Legs May Walk" -- the motto of the Nebraska Shrine Bowl. Proceeds from the annual all-star event benefit Shriners Hospitals for Children.
There are 22 Shriners hospital facilities throughout North America, including 18 orthopedic hospitals, three burn hospitals and another providing orthopedic, burn and spinal cord care to patients under 18 years of age. According to the Nebraska Shrine Bowl web site, the Shriners facilities provide specialized, advanced care to young patients absolutely free of charge.
Chitwood played quarterback and defensive back on last year's Bison team that went undefeated through the regular season before losing a 28-24 heartbreaker to Adams Central in the second round of the Class B state playoffs. McCook held a 24-13 lead midway through the fourth quarter before the Patriots rallied to end McCook's season.
The playoff loss was disappointing, but it didn't wipe out another strong 10-1 season for the Bison.
"To be totally honest, our season turned out a lot better than I thought," Chitwood said. "I knew we were going to be good, because we had a lot of help from the class below us (juniors) and we had good athletes in our class. But to be undefeated my senior year was unbelievable. That loss against Adams Central was heartbreaking because we had it won. But it was a blast my senior year, that's for sure."
Standout athlete
Chitwood has been a standout athlete throughout his high school career. He burst onto the state scene in track and field last spring when he long jumped 23 feet 1 1/4 inches -- second best in Bison school history. Chitwood followed that with his Class B state meet gold medal with a leap of 22 feet, 9 inches at Burke High Stadium in Omaha May 21.
Chitwood said playing in the Shrine Bowl might top the gold-medal state track effort last year.
"It may give state track a run for its money," he said. "That was one of my favorite things I've ever done in high school."
McCook head football coach Jeff Gross knows it's a big honor for his program and his individual players to be selected for the Shrine Bowl. Gross also knows the successful Bison program is respected around the state.
"I think we're definitely respected," Gross said. "It's awesome to get that honor for a kid in our program. Part of that is, we've had some awful good football players. It's a neat deal for these kids to make the Shrine Bowl."
Chitwood hasn't talked to any of the South Shrine Bowl coaches about where he will play. But his team will have a versatile athlete who excelled on offense, defense and special teams for McCook in 2011.
Bison rushing leader
The senior quarterback was a dual threat for the Bison. Chitwood led McCool with 1,114 rushing yards on 144 carries, an average of nearly 8 yards per attempt, and 20 touchdowns. He also completed 48 of 99 passes for 846 yards and 11 touchdowns with just four interceptions.
Chitwood also booted 40 of 44 extra points and made 7 of 9 field goals with a long of 42 yards. He led the Bison with 183 points.
Matt said he thinks he might play quarterback for the South in the Shrine Bowl, but he would likely battle with Crete all-stater Derek McGinnis for playing time under center.
"I'd rather play defense. I like to be on the defensive side of the ball," he said. "But it really wouldn't matter to me. I'd imagine I'd kick a little. We'll see what happens."
Chitwood routinely booted kickoffs into the opposition's end zone for touchbacks, virtually nullifying any kick return hopes for Bison foes.
Future plans uncertain
The Bison senior is undecided about college. Football and track are options, and Chitwood said he will see how the spring track campaign goes to further weigh his options. He has talked to Coach Gross throughout the year, and he realizes that the Shrine Bowl just might be Matt's final football game he plays.
"(Gross) said if I don't go to play college football, he said it's one last hurrah," Matt said. "We talked about that later this year, if I don't go play college football, it will be fun to have one last game and go there and let loose, and just show the state what we can really do, what McCook football's about. I think that will be pretty fun.
"If it's my last football game, it's going to be pretty heartbreaking, because that was by far my most favorite sport in high school. I love it, just the atmosphere and stuff. Down there in the big stadium, that's going to be a blast because the atmosphere is going to be great. Just playing on that field is going to be awesome, I can't wait. I'm just all-around excited for it, it's going to be a blast."
For now, Chitwood will concentrate on the track season. His goal is to break 24 feet in the long jump, and improve on his personal-best of 14 feet even in the pole vault. He may also try the triple jump this spring.
Bison Shrine tradition
Chitwood will extend McCook's Shrine Bowl tradition, and Coach Gross will have a chat in the near future about withholding that outstanding lineage of Bison in the all-star game.
"We'll have that discussion about what's expected of him," Gross said. "Matt's going down there in a position where he's going to represent McCook, he's going to represent all of McCook, all of our high school, he's going to represent our football program, and, in essence be an extension of myself and my coaching staff and all of his teammates. The one thing I would preach to those kids is, if you go down there and do something stupid, it's going to be harder for your buddies in future years to ever get in.
"When you think about the fact that we've been able to have 12 (years) in a row, that speaks pretty well for the fact that they are representing McCook and they're doing a great job. Last year, Ben Vetrovsky was elected (Shrine Bowl) captain. The year before Chad Stull practically was the defensive MVP. The year before that Joe Vetrovsky was a captain. Our kids have went down there and represented themselves (and McCook) in great fashion."