Two North Platte High School alumni participated in the FCS Championships, which consisted of No. 1 South Dakota State and No. 2 Montana.
Kolten Tilford and Vince Genatone found themselves on opposing sides of the field, instead of their former positions on the NPHS football team.
Tilford, an A-back and safety during his time at NPHS, plays safety for SDSU.
“It means a lot to be on this team and win the national championship,” Tilford said.
“It was a once in a lifetime feeling and I am blessed to be a part of one of the best teams in South Dakota state history,” Tilford said.
These boys have had a support system since they started playing football at the high school.
Genatone, a running back and middle linebacker at NPHS, plays linebacker for Montana.
“It was great to see people make it to the game like Jason Jensen from Enzo and Coach Rice,” Genatone said. “The support I have from the community is outstanding and isn’t like anywhere else.”
Both boys have different ways of getting motivated and continuing to work hard.
“The people who motivated me most during this process were my parents, I just wanted to make them proud, ” Tilford said.
Genatone credits NPHS coaches for his success.
“Coach Hall and Coach Rice both played pivotal roles in my high school career on both the wrestling mat and the football field,” Genetone said.
He was proud of the success of himself and Tilford.
“It was pretty cool to have two kids from North Platte play in the National Championships,” Genatone said. “It felt good to be on the field with another Bulldog.”
