On National Signing Day, two Mulvane Wildcats signed letters of intent to play college football. Star running back Michael Mason officially became a Butler Grizzly football player while offensive lineman Isaiah Evans signed to play for the Hutchinson Blue Dragons.
During the season, Evans played a huge role in leading Mulvane’s offensive line. Evans was named First Team All-League and All-Class 4A Honorable Mention by the Wichita Eagle, and All-Class 4A Honorable Mention by the Topeka CJ.
Evans will follow many previous Mulvane Wildcat Football players to Hutch, including 2012 Mulvane offensive lineman Jimmy Beyer. The Mulvane Wildcat football team has also attended summer camps at Hutchinson Community College in past years conducted by Blue Dragons' head coach Rion Rhoades.
“It just felt more like home there, and they are a standout program,” Evans said. “Of course, playing Division 1 football is every player’s dream, and I hope to get there.”
For Mason, he created quite a stir last season with 2,232 rushing yards on 296 carries as he led the Wildcats to a record of 6-5 and the Bi-District Championship. Mason scored a total of 27 touchdowns in the 2013 season while setting school records for rushing yards, carries, and touchdowns.
Mason was named First Team All-League, All-Metro, First Team All-Class 4A by the Wichita Eagle, First Team All-Class 4A by the Topeka CJ, and All-State 4A by kpreps.com.
As a punter, Mason totaled 40 punts for 1,401 yards and was also named the AVCTL D3 League MVP. Mason was selected to play for the 2014 KS Shrine Bowl All-Star team as well.
Many Wildcats have joined the Butler Football Team in past years including 2013 graduate Kolby Fennewald and 2011 graduate Zach Burkhart, who now plays for Pittsburg State University. The Butler Grizzlies are led by head coach Troy Morrell.
“My dream is to play D-1 football, so I felt that Butler had the best program to do that for me,” Mason said. “Going there with a lot of very good players will help me work harder to achieve my goals. I also felt more at home and comfortable with Butler’s program and what all they had to offer me academically.”
Both Evans and Mason are full of athletic potential. The future is proving to be a bright one for these young athletes. Congratulations to Evans and Mason and all of the other athletes that have signed to play at the collegiate level.
