Hankinson, Rizzo to participate in KC Metro all-star game

Dustyn Rizzo (left) and Korbin Hankinson, both 2017 Louisburg High School graduates, will participate in the Papa John’s Kansas vs. Missouri All-Star Game on Thursday at Blue Springs South High School.

For the last four years, Korbin Hankinson and Dustyn Rizzo have strapped on their pads and put on their purple and white Louisburg jersey.

Both players thought those days of playing football were over when their final season with the Wildcats ended last November.

As it turns out, both players will get one last opportunity to team up with each other, but they will wear a different jersey. Hankinson and Rizzo earned a spot on the Team Kansas roster for the Papa John’s Kansas vs. Missouri All-Star Game that is put on by the Greater Kansas City Football Coaches Association.

The all-star game will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday at Blue Springs South High School and both players are looking forward to the challenge of going up against some of the top players in the Kansas City area.

“Playing in this game means a lot to me,” Hankinson said. “I’ve always wanted to do this and get to represent the state of Kansas. It’s truly an honor to be selected on this team.”

Rizzo feels the same way as he and Hankinson both prepare to play in their final high school contest.

“I’m excited I get the chance to compete with some of the best kids in the area,” Rizzo said. “It’s definitely a learning experience and it really gets me going when I get to strap the pads back on.”

The two recent Louisburg High School graduates have spent the last week practicing with their new Kansas teammates for two hours each night and will continue to work until kickoff on Thursday.

Hankinson will spend a majority of his time on the offensive side of the ball as a slot receiver and possibly some special teams. Rizzo will see a bulk of his minutes on the opposite side as a defensive end and also on punt return situations.

“It’s an honor to play with these guys and it has humbled me, especially playing with guys that are just as good, if not better, than me at my position and on the other side of the ball,” Rizzo said.

The head coach of Team Kansas is Basehor-Linwood coach Rod Stallbaumer, who led the Bobcats to an 11-1 mark and a Kaw Valley League championship. Kansas will try and snap a six-game losing streak to Missouri that dates back to 2011.

Anders Vance, a 2016 Louisburg graduate, played in the game last season as an offensive lineman before moving on to play at Pittsburg State.

Following this year’s all-star game, Hankinson and Rizzo will be focused on their next stops. Hankinson signed with Missouri Southern, while Rizzo will join the Garden City Community College team this fall.

“Getting to play with Dustyn one more time means a lot to me,” Hankinson said. “When I found out we were both selected to play I was very excited because I didn’t think I would get the chance to play in an all-star game with someone I’ve been playing with for almost my whole life.

“Having two kids from Louisburg selected to play in this games shows that Louisburg has a good program. I know a lot of people doubt the program, but we have amazing coaches and kids that love to work hard.”

As excited as the two players are to move to college, there will be some mixed emotions after Thursday’s game.

“Getting the chance to play with Korbin is nice, knowing this will be the final time we get to strap on the pads together with the same goal in mind,” Rizzo said. “I’ve missed the game and I look forward to playing one last time with him.”

KANSAS ALL-STARS

MISSOURI ALL-STARS

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