Thatcher Horak (15) In Shrine Bowl

By Brent Maycock

brent.maycock@cjonline.com

The thrill of being part of Rossville’s first state championship football team still hasn’t worn off for Thatcher Horak.

“It was just so exciting,” Horak said. “People around town are still talking about it and to be a part of it was just incredible.”

The excitement generated during the championship season was enough to tug at Horak’s heart strings a little. Several of his Bulldawg buddies opted to continue playing in college, many signing with Highland Community College, and the desire to join them was strong.

Instead, Horak signed with Washburn. But not for football, but rather baseball.

“I was excited to keep going, and I grew up loving football to death,” Horak said. “But baseball, I think just has more options for me. It might suit me a little better and that’s what I chose.”

Horak will satisfy his football cravings one last time, suiting up for the East squad in Saturday’s Kansas Shrine Bowl in Hays. He’s the 16th Rossville player to play in the game and first since Gage Steckel in 2012.

Horak was a huge weapon in Rossville’s prolific offensive attack a year ago. As a senior, he ran for 992 yards and 14 touchdowns and caught 32 passes for 542 yards and eight scores. Only younger brother Tucker Horak ran for more yards and only Christian Roduner had better numbers as a receiver.

For his career, Horak rushed for 1,433 yards and 20 touchdowns and caught 76 passes for 1,280 yards and 21 scores.

But if he’s to get any touches for the East offense in Saturday’s game, Horak will have to lobby hard. He’s spent the entirety of camp on the other side of the ball, playing cornerback.

It’s not exactly a new spot. Horak was just as valuable to the team at that position last year, making 43 tackles and picking off four passes on his way to All-Class 3A honors. When he got dinged up early in the 3A title game against Scott City, he mostly played defense the rest of the way and helped Rossville stymie the Beavers late in a 21-14 win.

Still, going from a do-it-all type of player to a specialized position has been a different feeling.

“It’s really weird only doing one thing,” Horak said. “Since my sophomore year, I’ve played both ways and hardly ever left the field. It’s a little easier settling down in one spot, focusing on one position and maybe getting a little better at it.”

But don’t be surprised if Horak finds a way to work in a play or two offensively in Saturday’s game.

“The first day I got here, Coach (Walt) Alexander said, ‘I tried to recruit you for offense,’” Horak said. “They haven’t budged yet, but we’ve been bugging them for quite a bit to get me some snaps on offense, too. It’s just a fun experience no matter where I play. It’s for the kids and it’s just a good time to come out and play one more football game before I hang up the cleats.”