KCNI/KBBN sports was invited to a letter of intent signing celebration on Wednesday at Sandhills High School in Dunning for two Sandhills/Thedford athletes who will be moving on to play college football. Kyle Cox signed his letter of intent to play for Chadron State College while Caden Zutavern signed with Doane University. Both Cox and Zutavern received first team all state recognition in Class D2 this past season. Among the publications that honored the two athletes was the Lincoln Journal Star who named Cox its first team quarterback and Zutavern was a first team selection on the offensive line. The two have been part of a fabulous run for Sandhills/Thedford football in recent years including a state championship in 2023. Both said it’s been a great four year run.
Cox “It means everything and it definitely hasn’t completely set in yet what we’ve been able to do. Since junior high, pee wee sports, it’s just a lot of success and it’s just been fun and I’m sure we’ll be able to look back on it when we’re older”
Cox will be joining the Chadron State football program. He told KCNI/KBBN sports that the initial interest and conversation about joining the program was from both sides.
“I would say both ways we’ve always been up to Chadron. I’ve gone up there since I was a seventh grader for the team camp. Just love the campus, love the football team. I think it’s been in the back of my head for awhile.”
It was a disappointing end to this past high school football season for Cox as he suffered an injury in their state quarterfinal playoff game. Cox told KCNI/KBBN sports that the rehab effort has been going very well.
“I got an ACL and an LCL repair. It was set at 10-12 months but right now I feel it’s going to be a lot sooner than that. Rehab has been going real well. I’m running right now. It’s feeling great.”
Zutavern will be joining the Doane football program. Caden said it was a mixture of both parties being interested in one another that got the recruitment process rolling.
“It was a mixture of both. My brother goes to Doane so he kind of got the coaches on me but I reached out to them and that’s kind of how it went down.”
Zutavern is currently focused on wrestling. Zutavern has put together a great season so far and is looking toward district competition as he attempts to qualify for the state tournament in Omaha later in the month.
“Yeah it’s been good just going to practice one day at a time trying to get better, get the teammates better and hopefully I’ll be in the big stage in three weeks.”
Check out our full interview with Caden and Kyle
