Perry graduate Will Whiton recently took part in the Iowa Shrine game on the campus of the University of Northern Iowa.  Whiton played defensive back and returned kicks on special teams for the South Squad.

“It was a lot of fun to take part in the game and get the pads put back on.  It was really competitive playing against some of the best talent in the state.  If you would look at the rosters, I think 90 percent of the guys are going on to play at the college level.”

Whiton says it was not difficult to make new friends.

“I met a lot of cool guys mainly on the defensive side of the football.  During the camps, they break you into either offensive or defensive units so we really didn’t get to hang out with the guys on offense all that much.  I made some new friends and it was fun to share recruiting stories and hear other athlete’s stories.”

Whiton played two quarters during the game and was pleased with his performance.

“I thought I played alright.  I dropped an interception which I would like to have back but otherwise felt really comfortable out there.  The coaches have a pre-set plan on which quarters everybody will play.  Mine were both the first and third quarters.  It was just fun to play football with a good group of guys and crank up the game speed a little bit.”

Whiton will play for South Dakota State next year.