Charger all-stars compete for bowl game glory in texas
Hillsdale players exposed to professional scouts and 'next level,' receive MVP?honor
Liz Klimas
Issue date: 1/24/08 Section: Sports
After the mid-November close to their season, Charger football players Mark Nicolet and Matt Vanover represented the East Team in the Valero Cactus Bowl Jan. 11. Their play stomped out the West Team, 42-13.
Nicolet and Vanover arrived in Kingsville, Texas, Jan. 5 to practice with their temporary teammates in 80 degree weather. After six days of practice and testing, the East Team hit the field.
"It was a good opportunity to be there and be seen," Nicolet said. "To be able to meet those guys and use them as a benchmark and motivation to say I can play at the next level was great."
Nicolet received offensive MVP of the game and Vanover kicked 76 yards in two punts and both were exposed to scouts and the prospect of professional football.
Vanover and Nicolet were two of nine GLIAC players in the bowl game. In Friday night's Division II All-Star game, Nicolet threw for 103 yards and three touchdowns. He was captain and started the game with a first drive that went 16 plays. One other quarterback played in the game, but Nicolet played about 50 of the 72 plays.
Vanover's longest of two kicks went for 42 yards.
"It meant a lot for me knowing I got recognized for my position," Vanover said. "Being the only punter on the team was an honor."
Vanover said he saw a difference in Hillsdale football players compared to his East Team teammates.
"This experience made me realize how special our team was," he said. "We [at Hillsdale] were very unselfish. We realize that it's important to have a good team. It's your team who gets you there - not yourself."
Hillsdale linebacker Tom Korte, a junior, attended the game to support his teammates.
"I think they definitely both were meant to be there," Korte said. "They both competed very well and made Hillsdale proud."
Not only were the players judged physically but they also underwent NFL tests for personality and IQ and had interviews.
Both said they would jump at the chance to play professionally.
"I will definitely take advantage of everything I can get," Vanover said.
Korte and Nicolet felt the exposure to this game put Hillsdale football on the map.
"Other teams that were there got to hear of Hillsdale College and that doesn't happen very often," Korte said. "They represented us well and proved we were a competitive team."
Nicolet and Vanover arrived in Kingsville, Texas, Jan. 5 to practice with their temporary teammates in 80 degree weather. After six days of practice and testing, the East Team hit the field.
"It was a good opportunity to be there and be seen," Nicolet said. "To be able to meet those guys and use them as a benchmark and motivation to say I can play at the next level was great."
Nicolet received offensive MVP of the game and Vanover kicked 76 yards in two punts and both were exposed to scouts and the prospect of professional football.
Vanover and Nicolet were two of nine GLIAC players in the bowl game. In Friday night's Division II All-Star game, Nicolet threw for 103 yards and three touchdowns. He was captain and started the game with a first drive that went 16 plays. One other quarterback played in the game, but Nicolet played about 50 of the 72 plays.
Vanover's longest of two kicks went for 42 yards.
"It meant a lot for me knowing I got recognized for my position," Vanover said. "Being the only punter on the team was an honor."
Vanover said he saw a difference in Hillsdale football players compared to his East Team teammates.
"This experience made me realize how special our team was," he said. "We [at Hillsdale] were very unselfish. We realize that it's important to have a good team. It's your team who gets you there - not yourself."
Hillsdale linebacker Tom Korte, a junior, attended the game to support his teammates.
"I think they definitely both were meant to be there," Korte said. "They both competed very well and made Hillsdale proud."
Not only were the players judged physically but they also underwent NFL tests for personality and IQ and had interviews.
Both said they would jump at the chance to play professionally.
"I will definitely take advantage of everything I can get," Vanover said.
Korte and Nicolet felt the exposure to this game put Hillsdale football on the map.
"Other teams that were there got to hear of Hillsdale College and that doesn't happen very often," Korte said. "They represented us well and proved we were a competitive team."
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