Front row, left to right: Tim Rakestraw – father, Ryan Rakestraw, and Jamie Ball – mother. Second row, left to right: Amy Rakestraw – stepmother, Cody Rakestraw – brother, Doug Ball – stepfather, and Zoey Ball – stepsister.

Southeast senior Ryan Rakestraw has signed to play football at Hutchinson Community College. The Blue Dragons won their conference and finished the 2014 season ranked 4th in the nation, their highest ranking in school history.

This past season Rakestraw was named 1st Team running back and unanimous 1st Team linebacker for the All-CNC Team, was a Morning Sun 1st Team All County linebacker, was named to the Craw-Kan Southeast Kansas All-Area Football Team as a linebacker, and was named one of the top 100 senior football players in the state of Kansas.

“It’s really been our pleasure to coach Ryan – he’s a tremendous individual, he’s a tremendous kid,” said Southeast Head Coach Jerrod Hanson. “He is one of those special kids that will do anything you ask of him and will do it to the best of his ability.”

In addition to playing running back and linebacker, Rakestraw has also handled kicking duties for the Lancers, and even earned all-league honors in that role as a freshman. Rakestraw finished his career at Southeast with 1,996 rushing yards, 28 rushing touchdowns, and had more than 1,000 yards receiving, after having started out as a wide receiver.

“He also had close to a 40 yard average punting, did the kickoff, extra points and anything else we asked him to do,” said Coach Hanson. “He is an example of the dedication and hardwork, that if everybody puts into it what can happen. I expect nothing but great things for him in the future and I know that Hutchinson Community College he is going to do great with whatever they ask him to do.”

Frank Pittman’s first year as the Southeast Athletic Director coincided with Rakestraw’s freshman year, and Pittman said he was honored to have seen Rakestraw play and grow up.

“I’ve admired him as a player and as an individual,” said Pittman. “Sometimes you hate to see things end but I know it’s going to go in the right direction in a positive way for Ryan, and I’m excited for him and I know his family is excited and we wish him all the best.”

“(Junior college) just springboards into the next level,” said Pittman. “I firmly believe down in my heart that he is capable of doing anything he wants to do, no matter what level and whatever task that may be.”