Josh Klumpe, Cole Krueger and Olpe coach Chris Schmidt are in Emporia this week, practicing with the East team in preparation for Saturday’s Kansas Shrine Bowl in Wichita. Both players are playing on defense, together one last time before they go their separate ways.
Klumpe knows where he’ll be, a tight end on the Emporia State football team. Schmidt will be back in Olpe, trying to figure out a way to win without two of the most decorated players to ever come through Olpe. And Krueger, he’s got a decision to make.
“Going to go to school somewhere,” Krueger said. “I just can’t make up my mind yet.”
Schmidt even had a junior college coach approach him on Tuesday and ask about Krueger’s plans. But the former running back/cornerback is waiting until after the Shrine Bowl to make his decision.
This week is more about celebrating the accomplishments of the best season in school history. Olpe went 12-1 and made it to the State championship game for the first time since 1976.
Olpe is the only school below the 5A classification to have two players on the East team.
“It’s good to see all the 6A schools and the bigger kids out here and see how I match up with them,” Klumpe said. “I’m holding my own against them.”
Schmidt, the East’s defensive line coach, is coaching at the Shrine Bowl for the first time in his career.
“It’s a special honor,” Schmidt said. “I think again it goes back to the season we had last year. I give a lot of credit to the kids we had and my coaches. And it’s kind of special because we have two kids on the team this year with Cole and Josh being up here, it’s kind of neat.”
Klumpe and Krueger have been on the playing field — or the court — together since fifth grade. Not only did they lead the Olpe football team to the state title game, but they also teamed in the Olpe frontcourt in basketball to lead the team to a one-loss season.
“We’ve been playing together for a long time,” Klumpe said. “It’s fun to play one last time.”
Klumpe is lining up this week as a defensive end, the same defensive position he played at Olpe. Emporia State plans to use Klumpe as a tight end and he’s had to shake off the rust a bit this week, since he’s been spending his offseason working on his tight end skills.
“I’ll be pretty happy to get back to the offensive side,” Klumpe said.
If Krueger decides to play football in college, the Shrine Bowl experience could be beneficial. He’s switching back and forth between cornerback and linebacker this week.
Krueger has interest from several junior colleges, including Independence and Coffeyville. Not only does he need to pick a school, but he still hasn’t settled on a sport.
Krueger is even considering playing college baseball, even though he is not playing this summer and Olpe does not have a school team. Schmidt believes Krueger is best-suited for football.
“I think football fits him best, because I think his mentality in that is more being aggressive and going after things on the field,” Schmidt said. “... It’s his choice to make a decision, but I’d like to see him try it. I think two years down the road if he doesn’t, he’ll sit there and say I wish I would have tried it.”
Saturday’s game in Wichita will be Krueger’s final distraction before he makes his choice. It will also be a chance for the Olpe trio to get a little revenge against a West team that represents Smith Center, the team that ruined Olpe’s bid at an undefeated season and state championship.
“I think we can hold our own,” Klumpe said. “I know the West has won three straight years, and I’m sure they’re pretty good, but I think we can hold our own if we can get everything going.”
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Posted by Tell (anonymous) on July 22, 2009 at 12:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Nice story good luck to all three of these men. Cole Emporia State would be lucky to have you. How bout it?
Posted by hsbbfan (anonymous) on July 22, 2009 at 3:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Olpe was lucky to have two such super kids the past few years, we will miss them greatly. Have fun this week, we will be rooting you on in Wichita. Go EAST!!
Posted by eaglefan (anonymous) on July 22, 2009 at 4:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Olpe has been lucky to have lots of super kids in their football program the last few years. It took the whole team to make it to the State Championship game last November. This will be a rebuilding year. They will miss that whole senior class they lost last year. Good Luck to all the Olpe kids!
Posted by hsbbfan (anonymous) on July 22, 2009 at 4:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Totally agree with your comments eaglefan. I believe Coach Schmidt stated the same thing in the article above. Olpe does have the best kids!! Go EAST!
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