Columbus East’s Devon Tekulve, right, runs out of the grasp of Jeffersonville’s Raijon Laird the during a game at Columbus East High School. Tommy Walker/For The Republic
Devon Tekulve thought he had played his last football game.
But the recent Columbus East graduate will be able to suit up at least one more time. Tekulve, who originally was picked as an alternate, was selected to replace a fellow South All-Star defensive back for Friday’s Indiana Football Coaches Association North-South All-Star Classic.
“It was really a surprise because at first, I wasn’t selected,” Tekulve said. “But then something happened, and (East) coach (Eddie) Vogel came and told me. It really meant a lot because it meant I would go up on the Wall (of Fame), and that’s something that will be there forever, so I think it’s really cool.”
Eric Moore, who has led Center Grove to three consecutive Class 6A state titles, is the head coach for the South. One of his assistants is his son Tyson Moore, an East graduate and the head coach at Seymour.
“Tyson knew what kind of player he was,” Vogel said. “One of the defensive backs dropped out, and Devon was one of the first alternates. Every year, they go through that. Guys that commit to the game can’t play, so Devon got pulled in.”
Devon Tekulve
The 6-foot-1, 170-pound Tekulve played cornerback as a junior before moving to safety his senior year. He recorded 64 tackles and led the Hoosier Hills Conference with five interceptions in earning All-HHC and team MVP honors.
“He could tackle pretty well, and then he had great ball skills,” Vogel said. “Devon is a natural. We could have played him anywhere. We needed him on defense and kind of played him sparingly on offense. He’s just a tremendous athlete.
“I’m just really proud of him,” he added. “It’s an honor. We’ve been fortunate enough to have a few players play in the North-South All-Star Game, and he’s going to have a chance to go up now on the Wall of Fame, which is a tremendous honor. He’s one of the best athletes I’ve coached that has that complete package.”
The All-Stars reported Tuesday to University of Indianapolis for practice. The game is at 7 p.m. Friday at Decatur Central.
Tekulve has been working out the school and at Total Fitness and running every day.
“I’m feeling pretty good,” Tekulve said. “I’m pretty confident about it. I’m looking forward to just being around some of the best kids in Indiana. It will be a new experience.”
Tekulve is planning to attend IBEW 481 electrical trade school in Indianapolis starting in August. But he is hoping his performance on Friday might catch the eye of a college football program willing to take a chance on him.
“No colleges were that interested in me,” Tekulve said. “Maybe after this game, something will happen, but we’ll see about that. I’ve always wanted to keep playing football. That’s something I really enjoy.”
