Nick Young doesn’t know any of the 45 football players he’ll soon call teammates.
All the same, the Greenwood graduate’s desire to be a dependable member of the South All-Star squad starts the minute he sets foot on the University of Indianapolis campus.
Young, a 5-foot-11, 235-pound defensive tackle, is one of two players from Johnson County playing in the 52nd annual IFCA North/South All-Star Game.
“It’s going to be a lot of fun,” said Young, who reports to camp July 9. “It’s having the goal to help. It’s about what I can do to help my teammates kind of like I did in high school.
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“When you’re entering a group you don’t know, just be yourself, and I’ve always been pretty outgoing. On the field, it’s how you present your work ethic and how you carry yourself in practice. It’s about supporting your teammates.”
Whether it means making a tackle, filling a gap or simply offering encouragement to one of the other South All-Stars, Young, who in the fall helped the Woodmen advance to the program’s first semi-state berth since 1990, will be up to the task.
The game is Young’s farewell to organized football.
An accomplished shot put and discus thrower, Young will be attending Indiana State University to participate in track and field. Earlier this month, Young qualified for the State Meet, placing 14th in discus and 18th in shot.
His final season in a Woodmen football uniform resulted in 75 tackles – including team-highs in sacks (8) and fumble recoveries (3).
“It’s not a sad thing,” Young said of his gridiron exit. “It’s something I’ll miss, but I’ll more miss the atmosphere and just being around my teammates. As much as I love football, I didn’t want to put my body through that again for four more years.”
Young will see a familiar face upon arriving at UIndy.
Greenwood coach Mike Campbell is one of nine South All-Star assistants on a staff led by Evansville Central’s Andy Owen. Campbell is working with the South offensive line, which means attempting to scheme against Young in practices.
Campbell served the same role in 2012 for the North/South game. He counts Young as Greenwood’s sixth All-Star player since that summer.
“It’s a big honor to be chosen for that game. It’s neat for me because I get to spend another week with Nick,” Campbell said. “You never had to question Nick’s intensity and physicality. He was a get-after-it guy, and this is the culmination of a great career.”
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If you go
What: IFCA North/South All-Star Football Game
When: July 13, 7:30 p.m.
Where: North Central H.S.
Local players: Nick Young, DT, Greenwood; Tyler Watson, DB, Center Grove.
Admission: XX
Last year: North defeated South, 21-14
Series: South leads, 27-24
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