Wilson tabbed for bowl

Sometimes good things come to those who wait.
Pittsburg High’s Jacob Wilson can certainly testify to that.
After being what appeared to be passed over for the 2008 Kansas Shrine Bowl team earlier this year, the Dragon running back just had to sit back and wait.
“I felt that I deserved to be in it,” Wilson said. “I didn’t really know why and neither did Coach (Merle) Clark.”
But, the back-to-back 1,000-yard rusher for the Dragons found out that a spot had opened up on the East Squad for the annual Kansas Shrine Bowl Game and that spot was reserved for him.
“Basically, it was a waiting game for me,” Wilson said. “Coach talked to me about it on Wednesday and I was pretty excited about it.”
So, on Thursday, Wilson informed officials with the Kansas Shrine Bowl that he would accept the invitation and join other local players such as Pitt State signee Tyler Bennett from Girard, Jeremy Fleming and Tino King from St. Mary’s-Colgan and Tony Karleskint from Fort Scott High School.
“I wanted to get in really bad and now I get the chance,” Wilson said. “At first I did not think I was going to get to.”
He added that it will take some time before the reality of his selection really hits him.
“It hasn’t really set in yet but I am ready to get out and play some football,” Wilson said.
The 2008 Kansas Shrine Bowl will be played at 7:10 p.m. at Emporia State University’s Welch Stadium on Saturday, July 26.

Matthew Clark can be reached at matthew.clark@morningsun.net or at 620-231-2600, Ext. 140