BY JIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbtribune.com

Great Bend High School all-state tackle Aaron Clark signed a football letter of intent from Emporia State University Wednesday. Clark earned 5A all-state and Western Athletic Conference honors. He’s been chosen to compete in the 2018 Kansas Shrine Bowl football game at Pittsburg.
The 6-8, 305-pound tackle anchored the high-powered Panther offense the past two seasons. The Panthers advanced to the 5A state semifinals last year and lost a first-round playoff game this season.
“it’s a relief to make that decision,” Clark said. “I felt welcome. It was the right place for me.”
Clark chose Emporia State over Fort Hays State and Washburn University.
Emporia State finished 6-5 last season, beating Missouri Southern 30-27 and Washburn 26-20. The Hornets lost 34-7 to Fort Hays State and 27-10 to Pittsburg State. The Hornets have qualified for the Division 2 playoffs four of the past six seasons. The 2015 and 2016 Hornets lost twice to national champion Northwest Missouri State.
“How the coaches describe it — what the SEC is to Division 1, the MIAA is to Division 2,” Clark said. “It felt like home. The Emporia coaching staff was excellent. All the players I talked to loved it. I believed in what they were saying. At Emporia, they believed it’s home — it’s a family place.”
Clark said he wants to work his way up the depth chart.
“I have the height and wingspan to play tackle,” he said. “I’m projected to be an offensive tackle. I imagine they will redshirt me. I’d be thrilled if I didn’t have to.”
Clark said he appreciates all the support he’s received at Great Bend High School.