Central Senior Catches the Eye of ESPN Analyst Trent Dilfer
By: Matt Tritten
Updated: February 27, 2013
(ST. JOSEPH, Mo.) Trent Dilfer is a former NFL quarterback that won a Super Bowl during his time with the Ravens.
Now, he works as an ESPN analyst, and leads a quarterback camp called the Elite 11.
The Elite 11 brings out the best high school quarterbacks from all over the nation. Tuesday, a St. Joseph athlete caught Dilfer's eye, but it wasn't a quarterback.
Ty Franklin, a senior at Central High School, has been a holder for the football team for two seasons. He isn't one to get a lot of credit when the team wins. But, he wants to change that.
"Contrary to popular belief, holding is very, very difficult," said Franklin. "You've got 250-pound kids running at you, and you just have to focus on getting the ball down on the block."
Franklin's efforts received national attention when he tweeted a video to Dilfer pretending to be a decorated high school player wanting to enter the Elite 11 quarterback group.
The video showed Central's special teams kicking extra points, over and over for more than four minutes.
Dilfer enjoyed it, and he let his Twitter followers know about it saying he loved every second of it.
The Elite 11 brings out the best high school quarterbacks from all over the nation. Tuesday, a St. Joseph athlete caught Dilfer's eye, but it wasn't a quarterback.
Ty Franklin, a senior at Central High School, has been a holder for the football team for two seasons. He isn't one to get a lot of credit when the team wins. But, he wants to change that.
"Contrary to popular belief, holding is very, very difficult," said Franklin. "You've got 250-pound kids running at you, and you just have to focus on getting the ball down on the block."
Franklin's efforts received national attention when he tweeted a video to Dilfer pretending to be a decorated high school player wanting to enter the Elite 11 quarterback group.
The video showed Central's special teams kicking extra points, over and over for more than four minutes.
Dilfer enjoyed it, and he let his Twitter followers know about it saying he loved every second of it.
Franklin's teammate, senior long snapper Nick Shores, said he's not surprised by Dilfer's response.
"Me and Ty, we're good at what we do," said Shores. "What can I say? We're just good at what we do, and Trent has an eye for talent."
"My boy Nick Shores, he's a great long snapper, but every now and then there are a few mess ups so you have to be able to get up there and get those high ones down," joked Franklin.
It's safe to say that Franklin and Shores are passionate about what they do.
"There is no better feeling than getting that perfect snap and that perfect hold. There's none," said Shores.
Even though they are about to graduate, Franklin hopes there is more football in his future.
"I'm going to Northwest next year, so Coach Dorrel, if you ever need a holder or anything, I'm your man," he said.
After Dilfer shared Franklin's highlight video, the views went from around 20 to more than 2,000.
"Me and Ty, we're good at what we do," said Shores. "What can I say? We're just good at what we do, and Trent has an eye for talent."
"My boy Nick Shores, he's a great long snapper, but every now and then there are a few mess ups so you have to be able to get up there and get those high ones down," joked Franklin.
It's safe to say that Franklin and Shores are passionate about what they do.
"There is no better feeling than getting that perfect snap and that perfect hold. There's none," said Shores.
Even though they are about to graduate, Franklin hopes there is more football in his future.
"I'm going to Northwest next year, so Coach Dorrel, if you ever need a holder or anything, I'm your man," he said.
After Dilfer shared Franklin's highlight video, the views went from around 20 to more than 2,000.
