Couchman will finish high school career in Shrine Bowl

By Rod Haxton, editor

Colborn Couchman will have the opportunity to add one more chapter to an outstanding high school football career.

The Scott Community High School senior is among 34 players named to the West squad for the Kansas Shrine Bowl.

The charity all-star football game will be played July 28 at Emporia.

“This is an amazing honor,” said Couchman after he was recognized by the Scott County Shrine Club prior to the SCHS basketball game on Tuesday evening. “I was pretty happy just to find out that I was a nominee, but when I was told that I made the team that was pretty awesome.”

That was less of a surprise to those who have followed Couchman’s career. He was a key part of the SCHS teams that posted a combined 21-2 record over the past two seasons, playing fullback and defensive end.

On an offense known for spreading the wealth, Couchman still managed to lead the team with 1,242 yards rushing, scoring a team high 22 touchdowns while averaging 8.2 yards per carry. He added another 138 yards receiving with an average of 15.3 yards per catch.

But, as impressive as those numbers are, it was his defensive play which grabbed perhaps the most attention. Couchman had great quickness coming off the edge and teams who tried to run away from his side of the line often found that the senior had the speed to chase them down from behind.

Couchman finished third on the team in tackles with 87, but was the team leader in solo tackles (52). He had 24 tackles behind the line of scrimmage for 102 yards in losses.

The Shrine Bowl will give Couchman one final opportunity to compete at the high school level.

“I figured Conway (Springs) could be the last time I ever played football if I didn’t get a chance at college ball,” notes Couchman. “Not only do I get to play high school ball one more time, but I’ll be playing with some of the best players in Kansas.”

Despite obvious interest from several colleges, Couchman has opted to pursue his dream of playing football at Kansas State University where he will be a preferred walk-on.

“The coaches at K-State contacted me about being a walk-on, but I was told the walk-on tryouts were closed,” he says.

As a preferred walk-on, Couchman says he will have everything that’s available to scholarship athletes “except for the tuition check.”

“I had leaned toward going to a juco and then transferring, but my goal all along has been to attend K-State,” Couchman says. “That’s where I’ve always wanted to go to college, whether or not I played football. Now I have the opportunity to attend K-State and play football. That’s all I can ask for.”