Former Cobblers headed to Chadron

By Padraic Duffy, Journal staff | Tuesday, August 05, 2008

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RAPID CITY — A couple of former Rapid City Central football standouts are headed a little closer to home to show their wares.

Allan Schmaltz and Dustin McCabe are both headed to Chadron State College after spending red-shirt seasons at other institutions. Schmaltz spent the 2007-08 year at the University of South Dakota and McCabe attended Mesa State College. Both played on the Rapid City Central team that lost in the Class 11AA semifinals to Sioux Falls O’Gorman in the 2006 season and both are hoping to see more playing time for the Eagles.

“I liked the school and everything,” Schmaltz said of USD. “But college is all about the opportunity and I just wasn’t sure I was going to get one. The red-shirting wasn’t so bad, but I didn’t see myself playing a whole lot this year, either. I was thinking about it and I might be the fourth or fifth (wide receiver) this year and next year would probably be the same thing. I want to play and I guess maybe I’m just impatient.”

McCabe, a running back in high school, is hoping to get a chance on the offensive side of the ball after being used primarily as a defensive back at Mesa State.

“I went to Mesa thinking I’d get a chance to play offense,” McCabe said. “After we did 40s and the 300 shuttle and they tried to put me at (defensive back) and that didn’t really work out for me. They told me I’d play offense but I never did.”

Schmaltz, the state’s all-time high school career receiving yards leader with 2,231, said getting closer to home is a benefit, but not the biggest factor.

“The home thing really wasn’t ever that big of a deal for me, but it is cool when you think about it,” Schmaltz said. “Now Pops can come down to watch me play more. You don’t realize how big that is until you’re a ways away.”

Another factor in Schmaltz’s decision was USD’s move to Division I this year. The Coyotes will be on a five-year transition to the NCAA’s top division and will be ineligible for the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs.

“I didn’t really want to get into that, but it played a part,” Schmaltz said. “Let’s say you go 13-0 and you have to sit out the playoffs like NDSU did last year? That just isn’t for me.”

Neither McCabe, a 5-8, 175-pounder, or Schmaltz, a 6-2, 200-pounder, have been guaranteed anything by the Chadron State coaching staff in the way of playing time or position. Both players are eligible to play in the 2008 season.

“I don’t know if I’ll have a good chance at starting or not,” Schmaltz said. “But I’ve already got a playbook and I'm going down there to play receiver. Nobody specifically told me that I'm going to start or anything, but they did tell me that I’d have a shot at coming in and getting a spot.”

McCabe just wants to touch the ball after spending last season dressing for all of Mesa’s games but being red-shirted.

“In the slot, carrying the ball, returning punts, I don’t care,” McCabe said. “I just want to play some offense.”

McCabe is the son of Dale and Kelly McCabe and is majoring in business management. Schmaltz is the son of Glenn Schmaltz and Patricia Waitt and is planning on majoring in criminal justice. Chadron State begins fall football practice on Wednesday.