Blancarte inks with Fort Scott

Louisburg senior Nick Blancarte signs his letter of intent to play football for Fort Scott Community College on Feb. 4. Sitting next to Nick are his parents Christina and Matt Blancarte. Standing (from left) is Louisburg assistant football coach Gary Griffin, head coach Kyle Littrell and assistant Robert Ebenstein.

A lot of Louisburg football fans might not have heard the name Nick Blancarte before the season, but after it was over, everyone knew who Blancarte was, including Fort Scott Community College.

Blancarte signed his letter of intent to play football for Fort Scott on Feb. 4 at Louisburg High School and the Louisburg senior is ready to get his college career started.

“I am extremely excited to sign with Fort Scott,” Blancarte said. “I think it will be a good place to further my football career and my education. I really got along with all the coaches there well and they made me feel that this was the place for me. It was a good fit.”

The coaches see Blancarte fitting in as a safety in the Greyhounds’ secondary, a position he has played since middle school.

“Nick was a really good addition to our football team this year,” Louisburg coach Kyle Littrell said. “Safety is a position where I think he can flourish at. Nick has good speed, toughness and a mind for the game. I think what sets Nick apart is his desire to get better and his attention to detail when watching/studying film.

“Nick is a natural leader who has the ability to hold himself and his teammates to a higher standard. Fort Scott is going to love what they get from him. As long as Nick tackles the ball carrier and not just the ball, he will be just fine.”

He may have only spent a year at Louisburg, but Blancarte certainly made his impact on the Wildcat football team.

As the team starting safety, Blancarte, a transfer from Mill Valley High School, made big play after big play in the Louisburg secondary and quickly become one of the go-to players on defense.

Blancarte finished the season as the Wildcats’ lone first team selection on the all-Frontier League team as an all-league defensive back. He finished the season second on the team in tackles with 67, had six tackles for a loss to go along with three interceptions. He led the team with 29 solo tackles.

He also made several ferocious hits on the year on defense and even on special teams.

“I definitely like making those big hits, especially early in the game,” Blancarte said. “I think it really sets the tone for the game and it lets the opponent know you are there and it sends a message.”

Blancarte has set a goal for himself to play football beyond his two years at Fort Scott, but he knows it won’t be easy.

“I don’t want to say that I am going to play Division I or Division II football because I know it will be a challenge,” Blancarte said. “I know it is going to take a lot of hard work and preparation for that kind of next step, but I am looking forward to trying.”

Joining Blancarte at Fort Scott will be teammate Brenton Wrigley, who was also a big part of the Louisburg defense. Once Blancarte and the rest of the Fort Scott signees report in the fall, the coaches will work them into the program by getting them in shape.

“What both players have to realize that the first three weeks, they are trying to run off the kids who really don’t want to be there,” Littrell said. “When they make it through that three-week period, both will know that they have accomplished something special. I wish the best of luck to both of these fine young gentlemen.”

Nick is the son of Matt and Christina Blancarte.