DODGE CITY — Stamping a legacy as one of the most decorated players in Humboldt Cubs history, Blake Ellis lined up for the East in last Saturday’s Kansas Shrine Bowl.
Ellis was a defensive back for the East on Saturday. The West beat the East, 28-6, in the annual gridiron all-star game.
“He played well,” Humboldt head coach Logan Wyrick said. “It was good to see him get a lot of reps. When it got down to the nitty-gritty time for us in the playoffs in the fall, he was playing a ton of defense for us. So it was nice to see that side of him. He was in a lot of plays and it looked like he had a lot of fun.”
Wyrick, who was an offensive coach for the East, joked that during camp week in Ottawa, Ellis would disrupt plays in practice.
“During the camp week, it was funny because I’d get frustrated because a play blew up, but then I saw it was because Blake made a play,” Wyrick said.
Saturday was the second time Wyrick was on the Shrine Bowl coaching staff.
“The first time was amazing and it was this time, too,” Wyrick said. “Being an 8-Man kid from smalltown America, it’s just an amazing honor. I got a nomination to play in the Shrine Bowl as a player. So getting to coach is just awesome. I never thought it’d happen, so to do it two times is amazing.”
Wyrick also reiterated the purpose of the Shrine Bowl.
“We know what this game is all about and meet the families that the Shriners help. The first time, I was a week off from being married,” Wyrick said. “Now, we have three kids. So there’s such a different perspective being a parent. It’s just a great honor. It’s the premier honor in the State of Kansas as a high school football coach.”
Ellis was a dynamic playmaker for Humboldt, tallying 1,174 yards and 13 touchdowns through the air as well as 1,390 yards and 31 touchdowns on the ground. On defense, Ellis notched a dozen tackles.
He’s still undecided on his college destination, where he wants to continue his baseball career. But Ellis leaves Humboldt as one of its most accomplished athletes ever.
“He was the quarterback — a three year starter — and we turned him into one,” Wyrick said. “He grew up his whole life playing running back. But we needed a quarterback and we saw some flashes. He was always the point guard. He was always the shortstop. He was a two-time captain for us and part of a senior class that’s the winningest in school history. And he has the stats to back it all up. And he’s a Shrine Bowl player. That says so much about him and what he leaves.”
