DODGE CITY — Represented with two players and a coach at the Kansas Shrine Bowl, the Chanute Blue Comets saw Quinton Harding, Cade Small and head coach Clete Frazell take part in Saturday’s Kansas Shrine Bowl.
The West beat the East, 28-6, in the annual gridiron all-star game.
“It was an awesome experience to learn what it’s about and what we’re raising money for,” Frazell said. “We had a 17-year-old kid named Owen from Indiana stay with us the entire camp. The kids understood that this game was something bigger than themselves. We rallied around Owen and built a sense of team. It was incredible hearing stories from parents and the help that Shriners have given them.”
Both Small and Harding played on the defensive side of the ball, with Small earning a start.
“To have two of your guys there was so amazing,” Frazell said. “Everybody there was smart. They were football guys. Everybody got everything installed very fast. All around, it was a great week of football. It was busy and hot, but it was a great time and enriching. It gave everybody a fresh start and a new perspective.”
Small was an original selection to the game. Harding was given a late invitation due to a no-show on the East squad — Harding got a call on Sunday and was at a practice two hours later.
“Most of the guys played about half of the game. They both created pressure and had a few tackles,” Frazell said. “They both made an impact on the game and did some good things. It was a good showing for them. They got out and scrapped.”
Small finished his senior campaign at Chanute with 67 tackles, including 12 for a loss, seven sacks, a pair of forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.
Offensively, Small hauled in 15 catches for 261 yards and notched four total touchdowns.
He’ll head to Emporia State to continue his football career.
“Cade was a physical player with a great motor that was a problem for our entire league,” Frazell said. “He plays hard whistle-to-whistle. He’s worked so hard to get himself to the point where he’s as gifted as he is. He played wherever we needed him and he created chaos. He’s just a worker and that’s going to translate well to Emporia State.”
As for Harding, who rushed for over 1,000 yards and was a critical part of Chanute’s success on both sides of the ball, he’ll line up at tailback for Hutchinson.
“He finished his career as one of the most talented running backs in our school’s history and did it while being a two-way player,” Frazell said. “He’s an Ironman. He got hit and delivered hits all game, every game. His level of toughness was outstanding. He just put his head down and worked. There was never any drama with him. That’ll suit him well at Hutch when he gets there.”
Cade Small (left) and Quinton Harding (right) of the Chanute Blue Comets represented the East during Saturday’s Kansas Shrine Bowl in Dodge City. The West beat the East, 28-6. Rickie Peterson | KSHSAA Covered
