Wintholz named to Shrine Bowl squad

Sidney High School senior Tucker Wintholz has been selected to the 56th Shrine Bowl of Nebraska it was announced recently.

The Shrine game is scheduled for June 7, at Ron and Carol Cope Stadium at Foster Field in Kearney. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m while the Shrine Bowl Parade will take place at 10 a.m. in Kearney.

“I’m really excited and feel very honored to be chosen for the Shrine team,” said Wintholz.

Wintholz, an offensive and defensive lineman, has been playing varsity football for the Raiders since he was a sophomore. He has been a starter the past two years. This past season Wintholz helped open holes for a rushing attack that piled up 3,897 yards - an average of more than 350 per game. On defense, Wintholz was third on the team with 49 tackles.

As a team the Raiders reached the quarterfinals of the state playoffs. Sidney earned a home playoff game and defeated Blair at Weymouth Field. Their season finally ended in the final minute against top seeded Gretna on the road.

The win over Blair was the first playoff appearance for the Raiders in 19 years and the first win in 20.

“Tucker was a tremendous player for us and was a dilligent worker in the weight room over the summer,” said Raiders Head Football Coach Todd Ekart. “He has really developed into a great lineman on both sides of the ball. His lower body strength and quickness are his best attributes.”

Though Wintholz was a standout on offense and defense, he expects he will likely play on offense for the North Team. Wintholz has already signed a letter of intent to play for Chadron State College, where he is slated to play on the offensive side.

The North will be coached by Arnie Johnson of Boone Central. Jason Hale of Holdrege has been handed the reins for the South.

The only other player selected from the Panhandle was Andrew Aratani of Scottsbluff. Wintholz and Aratani know each other well and became friends when they attended a football camp at Chadron last summer.

“I’m going out there to have fun,” said Wintholz. “I have nothing to lose, so I’m just going to take it all in.”

Wintholz and the other 69 selected will report to Kearney on May 30. They will have just over a week to prepare.

Shrine Bowl

North Roster

TUCKER WINTHOLZ - SIDNEY

Jalen Allison Papillion LaVista

Andrew Aratani Scottsbluff

Trae Bradburn Fort Calhoun

Brad Brazeal Bellevue West

Trey Carr Omaha Burke

Matthew Dietz Lincoln North Star

Blake Emsick Omaha Burke

Derek Gentrup Boone Central

Jake Guenther Crofton

Jake Hasty Elkhorn

Eligh Lavalais-Hawkins Omaha North

Luke Hegemann Howells-Dodge

Mark Jarecki Columbus Lakeview

Quentin King Omaha North

Charles Krueger Pierce

Sam Larson Elkhorn

Trenton Long Gothenburg

Jackson Love Norfolk Catholic

Nathan Meduna Wahoo Bishop Neumann

Nick McEwin Elkhorn South

Joseph Nelson Elkhorn South

Luis Nunez Lexington

Chase Reis Grand Island

Will Schany Blair

Jack Shadley Columbus Lakeview

Yohanna Shokai Lincon High

Makiah Slade Lincoln Northeast

Easton Stick Creighton Prep

Kyle Temple Norfolk

Avram Tynes Millard North

RJ Urzendowski Creighton Prep

Brandon VanderVorst Millard North

Noah Voss Fremont Sr. High

Trevor Wojtalewicz Grand Island