Shane Wheeler has now given eight Suwannee Bulldogs an opportunity they may never have had. Wheeler is the Assistant Football Recruiter and Career Councilor for Si Tanka/Huron University in Huron, South Dakota. Last spring he stopped by his old Alma Mater Suwannee High and spoke to Coach Jimmy Jackson and Coach Jay Walls. Out of that conversation two Suwannee players got to go to college. Wheeler has plans to shop Suwannee every year.



“The coaching staff at Suwannee High is doing a tremendous job with those kids,” Wheeler said. “I like to bring kids up here from that area. They fit in real well in the midwest because up here we play smash-mouth football and they already know how to do that.”



This year, Wheeler has recruited four Suwannee players to attend Si Tanka and play as Screaming Eagles. Eric Wright, Brandon “Petey” Lovett, Ronnie Plummer and Bernard Williams will all be donning their long johns and mucklucks to play football in South Dakota.



Wheeler was a Bulldog himself. He played defensive end for Suwannee in 1995 as a senior. After high school, Wheeler attended Westmar University in Iowa for two years then went to Si Tanka/Huron University to play. Wheeler was a two-time All-American linebacker.



Wheeler’s ultimate goal is to coach at a Division I school, but he’s happy to be at Si Tanka and happy to be able to help Suwannee’s football players.

“Ninety percent of our players leave here with a college education,” Wheeler said.



Si Tanka is small, only 800 students. There are a lot of programs in place to help the players develop confidence and the ability to work at the college level.



“We want it to be a win win situation,” Wheeler said. “They’re eligible, they have fun playing football and they leave with a college education.”

Wheeler said Si Tanka provides the students with tutors, a learning lab and a great professor to student ratio.



“We have programs for the players that struggle,” Wheeler said. “It helps them to build confidence in themselves and increase their level of learning.”



The boys going to Si Tanka from Suwannee this year will be joining four ex-

Bulldogs already playing football at Si Tanka. Kenny Owens went up last year. He’ll be competing for a starting position as a strong safety this year.



Michael Combs plays wide receiver. He’ll be one of the starting WR’s for the Screaming Eagles this year.



Leon Plummer went up last year. He’ll be looking to start for the JV squad as a linebacker this year.



Donald Morris, Jr. will be looking at starting as a free safety this year for the JV squad.



Combs is majoring in education looking at teaching at the elementary level and coaching when he graduates. Owens is majoring in physical education. Owens also plans to run track for Si Tanka this year.



Of the boys going up this year, Williams will be competing for a starting position as a running back behind a Screaming Eagle that made All-American last year and ran for 1,500 yards.



Wheeler plans to keep on shopping Suwannee. He’s got his eye on several upcoming Suwannee seniors.



Patrick Cherry caught Wheeler’s eye during the spring game. “Patrick will probably go to a Division I school,” Wheeler said. “But I’d like to have him.”



Delwyn Allen and A.J. Schuler are also on Wheeler’s wish list along with Timmy Smith, Suwannee’s field-goal kicker.



“I’m looking for a good kicker,” Wheeler said. “I’ve got my eye on Timmy Smith.”



Because of Shane Wheeler Suwannee’s football players have an awesome opportunity to attend college and keep playing football, possibly an opportunity they may never have had.



“It’s true what they say,” Wheeler said. “Once a Bulldog always a Bulldog.”



Janet Schrader may be reached by calling 1/386/362-1734 ext. 132 or by e-mail at janet.schrader@gaflnews.com.