A little football down under
Courtesy photo Kellogg junior Weston Stevenson will be playing football in Australia this summer as part of Down Under Sport’s Mountain Conference Team.
Kellogg High School football player Weston Stevenson has been selected to play on the Mountain Conference Football Team this June as part of the Down Under Sports program in Australia.
Stevenson, a junior this year at KHS, was selected to play linebacker for the team after having two very successful years playing on the Wildcat football team, which did not go unnoticed by the coaches within the Down Under program.
“I had a some good seasons with really good stats and I guess a coach in Utah saw them and picked me to be a part of his team,” Stevenson said.
The program will allow Stevenson time to travel and take in the scenery of Australia, and then he will have practices and play in three games against other Americans as well as some Australian football teams.
“I have never been out of the United States before,” Stevenson said. “I am excited to get out and travel, but I also love football so this is perfect for me.”
Stevenson was named to the Intermountain League All-League team in the fall of 2015 and 2016, and will be a key returner for the Wildcats this year.
Stevenson isn’t one to brag, but that didn’t stop one his coaches for doing it for him.
Ben Keele, one of his coaches over the years, was very pleased with Stevenson’s decision to attend the event and pointed out why a player of his caliber is so deserving.
“With Weston, there are a few things that come to mind,” Keele said. “He has a nose for the ball and he always seems to be around or in the play. Weston is a positive energy type of guy with a motor that never quits.”
Keele continued to gush over Stevenson, but these are the kind of things that Down Under Sports looks for when they choose athletes.
“As a coach I wish I could have 11 of him because he is very coachable and willing to play whatever position is need just to help the team,” Keele said. “What he may lack in technique he makes up for with will. The great news is that technique can be taught, so once he gets that, he will be a force to be reckoned with.”
Although you get selected for the program, that doesn’t guarantee your spot, there is still a $6,000 cost to go on the trip, which includes stops in New Zealand and Hawaii.
Stevenson has raised about $5,000 on his own, but is still looking to raise the remainder by mid-June.
Donations can be made by visiting DownUnderSports.com or by reaching out to Stevenson himself at his Facebook page.