By FRED KRONER
Player selections for all-star football games are traditionally reserved for those athletes who have a banner senior season.
Leave it to the coronavirus pandemic to create a change of plans in 2020.
Organizers of the annual Shriners All-Star football game couldn’t wait for results of a season that – if all goes according to the current plan – is slated to start with practices in February and games in March and April. They needed to organize a roster, secure commitments and seek sponsors.
Thus, the selection committee made choices for the 2021 game based on the recommendations of coaches, factoring in how the athletes performed as juniors.
Villa Grove/Heritage senior Carson Howard, who figures prominently into the Blue Devils’ plans for the upcoming season, was among the statewide selections.
The 6-foot-1, 180-pound Howard was chosen as a defensive end, though he will be playing his third different defensive position for the Blue Devils in the spring. A linebacker as a sophomore and a defensive end as a junior, Howard has been shifted by coach Heath Wilson to the secondary, where he will fill the free safety position.
“The selection definitely was different this year,” Wilson said. “We, as coaches, had to nominate players that we thought had great character and would have a great senior season.
“Carson is one that fits this category.”
Howard, who regards football as his best sport, is a versatile athlete who has been a standout wherever he plays. As a junior, he registered 72 tackles and six sacks.
“He has played three different (defensive) positions and excelled at each one of them,” Wilson said. “He can play many positions.”
For Villa Grove/Heritage, Howard is equally valuable on offense. Last season, he hauled in 23 passes for 415 yards and scored four touchdowns. He was second on a team with a 5-5 final record in receptions.
“Carson has some of the best hands I’ve seen from a high school player,” Wilson said. “He will be our go-to guy this year in the passing game. He’s tall and can go up and get the ball.”
Whether on offense or defense, Howard said there is one aspect he looks forward to.
“I like to go up for the jump balls,” he said.
The All-Star game wasn’t on his radar, especially since no one has suited up yet during the 2020-21 school year.
“I knew there were all-star games, but I didn’t know how they worked,” Howard said. “I was surprised. I didn’t realize how big of an honor it was.”
The Shrine game has been in existence 46 years (though COVID-19 canceled the 2020 contest) and is sponsored jointly by the Illinois Coaches Association and the Mohammed Shriners Club. Four days of activities lead up to the game, scheduled for 11 a.m. on June 19 at Illinois Wesleyan University’s Tucci Stadium.
Players, representing 115 Illinois high schools, will report to Bloomington on Tuesday, June 15.
Howard, who learned of his selection on Tuesday (Dec. 15), will be Villa Grove/Heritage’s second representative in the past three years. Colton Little was chosen in 2019.
Football has been Howard’s go-to sport since he was 8 years old.
“I love how competitive it is,” he said. “It’s a team game, yet a lot of situations are 1-on-1.
“I love how free you are on the field. When the ball is snapped, it’s up to you to do what you feel you need to do.”
After months of inactivity, open gyms and sessions in the weight room, Howard could face a busy five months if the IHSA green lights athletic competition in January.
He is a three-sport athlete who plans to play football, basketball and baseball – perhaps not in that order – as a senior.
“I’m hoping we eventually have a season,” Howard said. “I’m being optimistic.
“I’ve been working hard to stay in shape. We get outside and throw a ball around, and stay in the weight room.”
Through “eating better, getting stronger and agility training,” Howard said he has dropped his weight from 200 to his current 180 pounds.
The constant uncertainty of not knowing what is next, or even when a decision will be made, has been “challenging,” Howard said.
“Sports are what my life has been about to this point. I’m trying to hold onto it as best as I can.”
Though he knows he needs to look ahead beyond his high school career, and make plans, Howard said it has been difficult.
“I should be thinking about the future more,” he said, “but all I’m thinking about is getting to play this season as a senior.”
When Howard and his friends communicate, the conversation focuses on sports.
“We talk about football, and our potential,” he said.
As the schedule currently stands, the VG/H high school football team would open its season on March 5 at Cerro Gordo/Bement.
The Blue Devils have made the playoffs each of Wilson’s first two years on the job. Whether that streak can continue will, in part, be determined by whether the IHSA allows postseason competition.
For one squad member, however, there will be a guaranteed postseason game, in mid-June.
“I’m just glad they are planning this game,” Wilson said. “We have had so much taken away this year and I appreciate the Shrine Committee doing everything possible to have this game.”
