Less than a week after his IHSAA football career was ended, it was announced that Zionsville Senior Blake Lueders will continue to play in one more football game as a high school athlete. On Wednesday afternoon, in front of a packed group of students at Zionsville Community High School, Lueders was invited to play in the Tenth Annual U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
"It's a great honor," said Lueders. "It's a dream of mine ever since I've been little. When I was a freshman, I set a goal that I wanted to be an All-American. I knew that it was going to be tough, and that it would be kind of a long shot, but I just worked really hard. It came true, so it's great."
Lueders, a line-backer that will be attending the University of Notre Dame during the fall, was one of 90 players from across the nation invited to partake in the game. Even more impressive, the Zionsville stand-out is the only player from the state of Indiana that will play in the game on January 9th, 2010 in San Antonio, Texas.
"There are a lot of great guys in the state," said Lueders. "It's got to be hard for the Army All-American committee to choose who gets to go. I just think I was fortunate enough for them to choose me, because there's a bunch of other great players in the state who deserve recognition."
The Eagles stand-out player was more than thankful during his speech for those who selected him to the team, his teammates, and for those who were in attendance to celebrate his announcement, but Lueders made sure to give special thanks to the two men who meant most to him during his high school football career.
"Coach Mac (Larry McWhorter) is a great guy," said Lueders. "I would not be here right now if it wasn't for him. His guidance and coaching has helped me so much, he's just a great mentor and a great coach. As for my Dad, he's been there my whole life, he's all I could ask for. He's always pushed me and motivated me to get better. So I'm really thankful for both of them."
Of course Coach McWhorter has plenty of reason to thank Lueders right back, but not just for his stellar play on the field. With Lueders being named as a player in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, his head coach was also invited to attend the U.S. Army Coaches Academy during the week of the game.
"We're very honored," said McWhorter. "I know at least in my short time I have left coaching, I know that this will be the first one and the last one at the same time. This is a real privilege to be involved and to have had some part in his career."
Though Lueders is looking forward to the All-American game and attending Notre Dame in the fall, he couldn't help but share his final thoughts on his years as a football player in the IHSAA.
"It's been a blast," said Lueders. "The memories, playing with my teammates, my coaches, it's a special time. It's something I'll remember forever."
A game that has featured prominent football stars such as Adrian Peterson, Reggie Bush, Mark Sanchez, and Tim Tebow, the U.S. Army All-Americal Bowl will take place on Saturday, January 9th, at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. The East vs. West match-up will be televised on NBC at 1:00 p.m.
"It's a great honor," said Lueders. "It's a dream of mine ever since I've been little. When I was a freshman, I set a goal that I wanted to be an All-American. I knew that it was going to be tough, and that it would be kind of a long shot, but I just worked really hard. It came true, so it's great."
Lueders, a line-backer that will be attending the University of Notre Dame during the fall, was one of 90 players from across the nation invited to partake in the game. Even more impressive, the Zionsville stand-out is the only player from the state of Indiana that will play in the game on January 9th, 2010 in San Antonio, Texas.
"There are a lot of great guys in the state," said Lueders. "It's got to be hard for the Army All-American committee to choose who gets to go. I just think I was fortunate enough for them to choose me, because there's a bunch of other great players in the state who deserve recognition."
The Eagles stand-out player was more than thankful during his speech for those who selected him to the team, his teammates, and for those who were in attendance to celebrate his announcement, but Lueders made sure to give special thanks to the two men who meant most to him during his high school football career.
"Coach Mac (Larry McWhorter) is a great guy," said Lueders. "I would not be here right now if it wasn't for him. His guidance and coaching has helped me so much, he's just a great mentor and a great coach. As for my Dad, he's been there my whole life, he's all I could ask for. He's always pushed me and motivated me to get better. So I'm really thankful for both of them."
Of course Coach McWhorter has plenty of reason to thank Lueders right back, but not just for his stellar play on the field. With Lueders being named as a player in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, his head coach was also invited to attend the U.S. Army Coaches Academy during the week of the game.
"We're very honored," said McWhorter. "I know at least in my short time I have left coaching, I know that this will be the first one and the last one at the same time. This is a real privilege to be involved and to have had some part in his career."
Though Lueders is looking forward to the All-American game and attending Notre Dame in the fall, he couldn't help but share his final thoughts on his years as a football player in the IHSAA.
"It's been a blast," said Lueders. "The memories, playing with my teammates, my coaches, it's a special time. It's something I'll remember forever."
A game that has featured prominent football stars such as Adrian Peterson, Reggie Bush, Mark Sanchez, and Tim Tebow, the U.S. Army All-Americal Bowl will take place on Saturday, January 9th, at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. The East vs. West match-up will be televised on NBC at 1:00 p.m.
