McCook coaching icon loves blend of All-Star team
SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. — Yes, the boys will be back together for one last wild night on the football field.
McCook 2023 grads Adam Dugger, Eli Kehler, Lucas Gomez-Wilson and — yes — Jacob Gomez-Wilson will be in the West Nebraska All-Star game Saturday evening.
“Jacob’s looking good and healthy. He’ll be our featured tailback,” the East coach said in a familiar fired-up and happy tone that Bison fans heard every football week for more than 20 years.
McCook icon Jeff Gross is coaching the East with current Bison head coach Joe Vetrovsky assisting.
They’re thrilled about Jacob Gomez-Wilson returning from a track injury suffered at the Southwest Conference championship meet on April 29.
Gross loves one last chance to also coach Shrine Bowl all-state lineman Kehler, all-state receiver Lucas Gomez-Wilson and all-state safety Adam Dugger.
Dugger started at safety during last weekend’s Nebraska Shrine Bowl Game.
However, he’ll take his first quarterback snaps since last fall’s state playoff win over Broken Bow.
The Bison celebrated their 10th consecutive win, but Dugger was lost before halftime with a broken leg.
Now he’s back to lead Gross’ first official coaching experience since 2020.
“I’ve known Adam since he was about three years old and started hanging around our (Bison) team,” Gross recalled. “One of my regrets was to not stay and continue coaching these guys.”
A lot of Bison memories and flavor to this All-Star game kicking off at 6 p.m. CDT in Bearcat Stadium.
Yet what’s also been great about the Gross return?
He’s really branched out beyond just Bison football.
“We picked up some Eight-Man players and have really been impressed,” Gross proclaimed. “The two Arapahoe kids (Dylan Bahe and Cooper Wendland) are legit run stuffers who really give us some bulk up the middle.”
Arapahoe’s Bahe is a rare athlete who’s playing in the Shrine Bowl, West Nebraska All-Star Game and next week’s Eight-Man All-Star contest.
Don’t forget 305-pound Alma Cardinal Jonathan Clapp.
Cambridge grad Kohan Grindle was an all-around explosive talent for the Trojans last fall. He’ll be part of the receiving group on Saturday, Gross confirmed.
The kicking game will feature 6’5” Jayson Guthard from six-man Sumner-Eddyvlle-Miller.
Plus there are plenty of familiar McCook foes who have been selected to join the East All-Stars.
Gross calls Broken Bow fullback Connor Wells “a beast” who troubled the Bison constantly during two meetings last fall. North Platte grad Brock Roblee brings a 1,400-yard rusher into the East backfield.
Cozad Haymaker Eli Borycka is another top lineman while Lexington’s Jace Carpenter will provide Dugger with another dangerous pass-catching target.
“We’ve started blending and putting a team together which has been fun,” Gross concluded in Wednesday’s interview.
Hitchcock County state champion linebacker and shot put thrower Keegan Shuler will play for the West All-Star team. Results will appear in the next Gazette.