Football Seniors Still Bowling
By Mike Waring
In case you missed it, Wittenberg seniors Brendon Cunningham, Reed Florence, Matt Widemon, and Desi Kirkman are still playing football.
These four outstanding Wittenberg student-athletes have been competing in college football All-Star games across the country.
Eighty-eight football players squared off against one another in the USA Football Bowl on Monday, in an all-star game at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium, and two of them were Wittenberg’s own.
Florence and Widemon competed in the game and each played a solid game versus some very good talent. All divisions were represented, as there were players from the University of Arkansas all the way down to smaller schools like Wittenberg.
Florence’s play resembled much of what he did in his career with the Tigers.
Florence went 11-15 for 120 yards, one touchdown, an interception, and rushed for 25 yards.
Widemon, who plays offensive line and obviously usually does not accumulate any stats, was proud to boast a solo tackle and his fumble recovery.
Each of the Tigers were on separate teams, with Florence on the Admirals and Widemon on the Generals. In the end, Florence’s team was victorious.
The Admirals downed the Generals 37-13 behind the arm of Florence. Also, at the awards ceremony Florence won the 2nd annual Jim Ballard Division III Quarterback of the year award.
Desi Kirkman was the lone Tiger who participated in the Dream Bowl in Virginia Beach, VA.
Kirkman played for coach Jerry Flora from William Paterson University and his team name was the Patriots.
In the game Kirkman had five catches for 35 yards, and 3 kick returns for 101 yards in a loss to the Crusaders.
Unlike the USA Football bowl, the Dream Bowl was all Division III players. Kirkman played versus two players from the Tigers first round playoff game, Lebanon Valley, where Kirkman went off for five catches 188 yards and four touchdowns, and also adding a 90-yard punt return.
Last but not least, Brendon Cunningham participated in two postseason all-star games.
First, Cunningham played in the Division III Senior Classic. In that game Cunningham had seven catches for 116 yards and the only touchdown of the game. His performance was good enough for him to earn MVP of the game, but more importantly an invite to the FCS Senior Scout Bowl.
In attendance were NFL scouts, but unfortunately Cunningham was hurt in the beginning of the second quarter.
Before the injury Cunningham had two catches for 34 yards and a touchdown.
Cunningham is now training at the D1 Training Complex in Columbus in hopes of being drafted in this year’s upcoming NFL Draft.
Congratulations to all of the Tigers who participated in post season all-star games, and good luck in future endeavors.
