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Friday, July 25, 2008
Cantele Prepares For Final High School Game
Central Kansas, KS
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By: Clay Kimbro
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Photo(s) By: Gus Garcia
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Kapaun Mount Carmel kicker Anthony Cantele will take part in the Shrine Bowl tonight before moving on to play soccer at Missouri State this fall
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"The coaches at Missouri State have me lifting and running five days a week and playing soccer three days a week," said Cantele, who has spent the summer on campus in Springfield. "It's kind of tough getting that much conditioning in while balancing soccer and my work schedule."
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The 34th edition of the Kansas Shrine Bowl kicks off Saturday night at 7 p.m. on the campus of Emporia State University, which sometime after seven that night, Anthony Cantele will kick his last football before trading them in strictly for soccer balls.
Cantele, an all-city soccer player in addition to being an all-city kicker last fall for Kapaun Mount Carmel, signed with the Missouri State University soccer team early in the spring of 2008.
To Cantele, playing college football was always a dream, with soccer being the more realistic option.
"I've always wanted to play football in college," said Cantele. "But it just never really worked out that way."
In preparation for Saturday's game, Cantele has been practicing under several state champion coaches this week, including Garden Plain's Todd Puetz, Andale's Gary O'Hair and Hutchinson's Randy Dreiling. He has also, seemingly, picked up a few connections along the way.
"All the coaches have been asking me why I'm not playing football in college," said Cantele. "Coach Dreiling has been telling me that if I ever want to play he can help me find a place."
For a high-caliber kicker like Cantele, a spot will not be hard to find if soccer does not work out.
"I've always thought of this game as my 'last hurrah' type of thing. It's going to be fun," said Cantele. "I've always told myself that football can be my fall-back if soccer doesn't work out - who knows what's going to happen in the future."
The Shrine Bowl week has been a welcome break for Cantele's busy off-season.
"The coaches at Missouri State have me lifting and running five days a week and playing soccer three days a week," said Cantele, who has spent the summer on campus in Springfield. "It's kind of tough getting that much conditioning in while balancing soccer and my work schedule."
Cantele is not the only player that will take his final snap on a football field Saturday.
Aaron Wedel of Salina Sacred Heart is the state record holder in career receiving yards and receptions. He will not go on to play college football.
Also, Cantele's holder, Great Bend's Brad Holt, will attend Kansas State University in the fall, but will not play football.
Win or lose at the Shrine Bowl, and no matter what the future holds, Cantele has enjoyed his week.
"This has been a great experience meeting all these guys and making new friends," said Cantele. "As far as the game goes, we're working hard and it looks like we have a good team so we'll see what happens."
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