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Smith Centers all-state lineman Justin Nixon will not play in college due to injuries

By LARRY MORITZ

Salina Journal

Football practice in late July is supposed to be a grueling, exhausting undertaking.

Knowing this might be the last time he experiences the camaraderie that comes as a member of a football team, Justin Nixon is enjoying every minute of it.

A standout lineman at Smith Center during the Redmen's record run in recent years, Nixon will suit up for the West squad during the annual Kansas Shrine Bowl this Saturday at Wichita's Cessna Stadium.

"I hope we go out and play our best and I hope we win," Nixon said. "But playing with these guys, it's going to be fun either way. We're having a great time this week and the game should be really exciting."

After West camp practices are completed this week at St. John's Military school, Nixon will fasten the chin strap on his Smith Center football helmet for the final time in Saturday's 7:10 p.m. all-star game. It's quite possible it could be the final time he puts on a football helmet representing any team.

Saturday's contest will likely be the last game for Nixon, who has no plans to play at the collegiate level. He will attend North Central Kansas Technical College in Beloit this fall where he will study carpentry and cabinet-making, though he also has an interest in heavy equipment operation.

He had offers to continue his playing career at the next level, but Nixon said injuries to his shoulder and knee would have required him to undergo a couple of surgical procedures if he decided to play this fall.

"The knee injury happened my junior year and the shoulder injury toward the end of my senior year," said Nixon, who never missed a game at Smith Center. "I figured football might not be the best thing for me with all of those injuries, so this will be the last game I'll play.

"So this game really means a lot to me. We're playing for a good cause, helping the Shriners hospitals, and I get to play with some very good players so I'm glad to be a part of it."

Nixon (6-foot, 365 pounds) became a starter at offensive tackle for Smith Center his sophomore year, then started at both offensive and defensive tackle his senior year. He has been working with the West squad's offensive unit through the first few days of practice.

Nixon earned first team all-state recognition this past winter after the Redmen completed their fifth consecutive unbeaten season, and was also named to the MaxPreps Small Schools All-American team following his senior year.

He never lost a game during his high school career, and like a lot of football fans in Kansas, Nixon's teammates this week wonder how that can happen.

"I do have guys come up and ask me 'How do you guys do it? How do you win so many games and state championships?'" Nixon said. "I tell them it was good coaching and good players. It has taken hard work and dedication to the game to come so far."

All players in the Shrine Bowl likely have access to game film that will help them recall the glory days of their final season of high school football, but Nixon will have a memento unlike any other from his senior season at Smith Center.

Author and New York Times reporter Joe Drape spent the entire 2008 season with the team and his book "Our Boys: A Perfect Season on the Plains with the Smith Center Redmen" is scheduled for release on August 18.

"Some of our coaches at Smith Center have had a chance to read it already," Nixon said. "They sent copies and asked them to make corrections and make sure names were spelled correctly.

"They've said it will be a great book when it comes out and should be good for Smith Center."

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