Seaman High School head football coach Blake Pierce has learned over the years to take Bill Lowe, Emporia High head football coach, as a man of his word.
So when Pierce was filling his roster of players for the East squad several months ago in preparation for Saturday’s Shrine Bowl, he listened when Lowe recommended Emporia High senior linebacker Dillon Cox.
“I talked to Coach Lowe at the very beginning of all this,” said Pierce, the East squad’s head coach, “and he told me that Dillon was one of the best players that he has ever coached, and Bill Lowe has coached a lot of great players.
“I didn’t know a whole lot about him (Cox) other than Bill Lowe’s word, and I have a lot of faith in Bill, and if he tells me a kid is good, he’s good.”
After the season Cox had in 2006, there was little doubt that Cox was more than deserving to be among the 34 players on the East squad All Stars.
The All-Area, All-Centennial League and Class 6A All-State selection racked up a team-high 107 tackles, snagged two interceptions, forced two fumbles and notched one sack as a senior at EHS.
He was instrumental in helping the Spartans overcome two straight 1-8 seasons to compile a 6-3 record last season, the best for EHS since 1999.
Lowe said last week that as his team looked forward to the 2007 season — practices begin Aug. 13 — replacing Cox would be one of his team’s biggest concerns.
“It will be tough replacing a guy like Dillon,” Lowe said, “not just his tackles and all that, but he was such a good vocal leader too, and that’s what this team needed.”
But even so, prior to the start of last season, Cox was unsure where he would be at this time. He had sat out all of his junior year after a car accident before the start of the season. Getting to play in the Shrine Bowl with some of the state’s best players was somewhat of a longshot.
“This was what I always wanted to get to, but I wasn’t sure I’d have a chance at it,” Cox said of playing in the Shrine Bowl. “It’s a great honor, especially when you see some of the players on this team.”
But Cox’s stellar senior season provided enough evidence that he was a worthy choice for the Shrine Bowl, and he has done little to disappoint in the East squad’s practices this week at Welch Stadium.
“He has stood out in camp, by far,” Pierce said. “He’s just a great combination of size, speed and the desire to hit people.”
The Shrine Bowl in Hays this Saturday will be Cox’s final venture in high school football before he heads off to Butler County Community College to try his skills at the next level.
He will leave behind a standard for linebackers at Emporia High after his season in 2006, but said he wanted nothing more than to see “everybody in the years to come carry on the tradition and keep the football program good here at Emporia.”
He said the experience of playing collegiately was one he welcomed, but added it will be strange not reporting to football camp at Emporia High in a few weeks.
“I’ve been playing high school football for the last four years, and I’m looking forward to seeing what college football is all about,” Cox said. “I think I’m ready.
“I would like to start my first year there. Hopefully I don’t have to redshirt, but we’ll have to see how the first two weeks of practice go.”
As for his final “high school” game this weekend, Cox has the same attitude about the Shrine Bowl that he had in helping the Spartans turn the corner last year.
“I really think we’re going to win.”
admireed (anonymous) says...
I thought Cox was going to ESU?
July 26, 2007 at 3:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
LocalGuy (anonymous) says...
To much of a trouble maker for the new coach. I'm not sure I would call that a "Great Honor"
July 26, 2007 at 10:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
coldhardtruth (anonymous) says...
Speaking of this Cox guy, what ever happened with their trouble making joy ride? Can we say COVER UP!!! I guess if you know the right people and have enough money you can get away with pretty much anything in Emporia. Thats a damn shame!
August 17, 2007 at 4:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Pollyanna (anonymous) says...
LocalGuy and coldhardtruth..
I wonder how you sleep well at night harboring all the animosity and hatred. How offensive your words and unsaid innuendos are to so many people in this community who have in some way been touched by the ACCIDENT that took a young man's life. The fact alone that you mentioned the "trouble making joy ride" in that particular context brings bile to my throat. Let everyone involved go on with their lives and heal to the best of their ability...
August 17, 2007 at 8:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
LocalGuy (anonymous) says...
Polly,
I'm not sure how you pulled me into this. I didn't say one word about the accident. All I commented on was the fact that he isn't playing at Emporia State since he is to much of a trouble maker for the new coach. When saying he was a trouble maker I was talking about the cruise he went on this year and the trouble he got in. I wasn't trying to bring up the accident he got in since I know all of the people that were involved. Don't lump everyone together that thinks the kid is bad news.
August 17, 2007 at 9:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justme (anonymous) says...
The fact that Cox isn't playing at Emporia State is his choice not the coaches. He decided to move on from the rumor mill of Emporia.
September 26, 2007 at 12:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )