P-D's Brady Knigge, LHS's Schumacher All-Stars

A pair of local high school seniors have been invited to participate in the 36th annual Sertoma 8-Man All-Star Football Game, to be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, June 15, at Hastings College Football Complex.

Brady Knigge, a wide receiver from Potter-Dix, and Leyton’s Sam Schumacher, a running back/linebacker, have been selected to participate in the game for the West team.

Knigge becomes the 11th Potter-Dix/Potter player selected to the game. As a senior, he grabbed 59 catches for 869 yards and 16 touchdowns, with a long reception of 65 yards. During his three-year career with the Coyotes (he letted as a freshman at Kimball), Knigge snagged 112 passes for 1,514 yards (13.5 yards per catch) and 25 touchdowns.

Knigge joins Lance Juelfs (2009), Morgan Haupt (2006), Andy Adams (1996), Bob Miller (1995), Tony Ottoson (1985), Gale Walker (1982), Jon Willis (1979), Bruce Juelfs (1979), John Alves (1978), Larry Wieser (1978) and Darrell Steele (1980) as selections from either Potter-Dix, Potter or Dix High Schools.

Potter coaches Mike Mitchell (2006, assistant) and Al Combs (head coach, 1979; and assistant, 1978) have previously served on the West coaching staff.

Schumacher’s four-year career at Leyton will prove to be memorable, both on the gridiron and on the hardwood during basketball season.

In football, Schumacher rushed for 796 yards this past fall, as the Warriors qualified for the playoffs.

He added 415 yards receiving and scored 20 touchdowns, 14 rushing.

On defense, Schumacher recorded 81 tackles, 43 of those hits being solos.

All told, Schumacher picked up 1,734 yards rushing and another 655 in receptions during his four years as a Warrior, with 38 touchdowns, and finished with 248 total tackles, 139 solos.

Other Leyton players formerly named to the Sertoma All-Star team include Jeremy Reimers (2011), Cory Frerichs (2009), Cody Childers (2008), Reggie Twarling (2002), Matt Gaertner (2001), Troy Leggman (2000), Greg Egging (1993), Brooks Rushman (1992), Matt Wilcox (1986), Terry Deaver (1985), Rollie Waite (1984), Tim Ernest (1984), Wayne Frerichs (1982), Wayne Dykman (1980), Randy Miller (1980), Gerald Frerichs (1979) and Mark Cape (1979).

Leyton coaches who have previously served on the All-Staff include current Warriors coach Glen Lipska (2009) and Harlan Dormann (head coach 1980 and assistant in 1979).

Other players on this year’s West team include Bo Rebman of Alma, trey Gilligan of Anselmo-Merna, Tyson Howard of Ansley-Litchfield, Wyatt Anderson of Arapahoe, Tyler Dahlgren of Gertrans, Burwell’s Nate Nelson, Clearwater-Orchard’s Travis Kester, Blake Anderson and Ross Schindler of Elgin Public-Pope John, Elm Creek’s Zac Crowley, Spencer Gydesen of Elmwood, Giltner’s Ryan Kleier, Tyler Schnitzler and Dalton Bender of Kenesaw, Loup City’s Reillu Lambrecht, Rulon Taylor of Medicine Valley, Mullen’s Josh Vinton, Tyler Lee of Sandhills/Thedford, Shelton’s Luke Glenn, Frank Hartley of Spalding/Spalding Academy, St. Mary’s Ty Eieler, Ryan Mosier of Twin Loup, Schumacher and Brady Knigge.

Troy Kleffner of Spalding/Spalding Academy will serve as head coach, and will be assisted by J.R. Nott of Heartland Lutheran, Jason Spady of Garden County and Spalding/Spalding Academy’s Joe Imus.

The East leads the series, 19-16, though the West has won five straight and six of the last seven contests.