Udall Ready for More: Hard-working Eagles return much in quest to make state run
By Paul Sullentrop, VYPE Kansas correspondent
When Isaac Patteson arrives at weights, sweaty and wearing grass and dirt, it’s a good day. Most days, he shows up sweaty, covered in oil and smelling like an oil-field worker.
Patteson is that, in addition to a Udall senior and aspiring Navy SEAL.
“I’m oily head to foot, normally,” Patteson said. “Some days, I’m stuck doing the weed-eating and mowing, then I’m covered in grass. Normally it’s oil. You can ask my teammates. Slimy work. It’s terrible.”
Patteson is dedicated to that grind for many reasons, with football the most immediate.
Patteson, 5-foot-10, 175-pounds, is one of the key figures for Udall, which went 7-3 last season and advanced to an Eight-Man Division I regional. He is a four-year starter at linebacker. He plays guard on a rebuilt offensive line.
Udall’s Isaac Patteson (16), David Otis (10), Alan Garton (8), Trevor Whiteman (22), Dylan Bishop (24) and Isaac Jirak (21) will look to take Udall deep into the playoffs this season. (Photo by Dale Stelz)
“He’s really dedicated himself, lost about 20 pounds and put it back on as muscle,” coach Wyatt Williams said. “Our defense is going to go as Isaac Patteson plays.”
Patteson earned All-District 2 honors as a sophomore in 2017. Last season, teams schemed for him and he struggled at times.
To prepare for his senior season, Patteson starts his day at 5:30 a.m. with two-mile runs. He works with his father at the Elk County oilfields from 6:30-3:30 p.m. He drives to Udall for weights and conditioning. Days end with a swimming workout, largely with a future in the Navy in mind.
“This year, I’m going to be ready,” he said. “I promised that to myself. They shut me down quite a bit and I don’t want that to happen again.”
Senior Trevor Whiteman moves from tight end to quarterback, a spot he played earlier in his career. Senior Alan Garton and junior Dylan Bishop, recovering from knee surgery, are experienced running backs. Junior end Isaac Jirak, a skilled blocker, is the lone returning starter on the offensive line.
“Our skill positions are in very good shape, but we’re replacing four of our five offensive linemen,” Williams said. “We’re going to have to adjust to a lot more pulling, use more of their athletic ability, because they’re not going to blow people off the ball.”
Eight-man 1 around the area
Solomon held four playoff opponents to an average of 12.5 points before falling 52-6 to Claflin-Central Plains in the championship game. The Gorillas return four starters from that 11-2 team. Senior Cobey Fiske caught 21 passes for nine touchdowns and recorded 111 tackles. Junior Alex Herbel intercepted four passes and made 66 tackles.
Canton-Galva went 10-2 as sub-state runner-up (losing 28-12 to Solomon) and returns its top eight players. Coach Shelby Hoppes, with a roster of around 30, likes his depth. Quarterback/defensive back Landon Everett and receiver/defensive back Tyson Struber earned All-State honors. Lineman Nick Pearson joined them on the All-Wheat State League offense. Linebacker Brandon Huff was an all-league selection.
Bennington returns six seniors and four juniors from its 5-4 team. Senior receiver/defensive back Javon Allen returned seven kickoffs for touchdowns. Senior Tyler Stanley can play end and quarterback, as well as linebacker.
