By Anvil Welch
awelch@joplinglobe.com
Andrew Shull, on paper, went through two extremes during his junior and senior football seasons at Webb City High School — a state championship and a 5-5 season.
Shull, a two-way lineman for the Cardinals, doesn’t remember the 1998 season for a .500 effort, however.
“We didn’t have the talent but we had a lot of heart,” Shull said. “That was a group that fought hard. I remember the last game we played Nevada into four overtimes before winning 6-0.
“Everyone was predicting we’d go 5-5 during my junior year,” Shull, laughing, said. “We were 14-0, of course, and Josh (quarterback Josh Chapman) had the great championship game (winning 44-0 against North County of Desloge).”
Shull, a stalwart at defensive end at Kansas State, recently had his jersey (98) retired at Webb City.
“It’s an honor. ... one of the biggest. It means a lot,” Shull said. “I always say I’m from Webb City. Mom and dad (Cheryll and Steve) live in the middle of Purcell and Neck City. I attended Alba Elementary. I think the world of coach (John) Roderique and position coach (Dusty) Allen.”
Shull played on speciality teams as a sophomore at Webb City before playing tight end-defensive end as a junior and tackle-defensive end as a senior.
“He was a very good athlete and was part of an outstanding team (as a junior),” Roderique said. “His quickness amazed me. He was so explosive coming out of his stance. He was about 230 pounds as a senior.”
The 6-foot-5 Shull played between 265-270 as a defensive end at Kansas State after red-shirting in 1999.
The choice of colleges came down to the Wildcats vs. fellow Big 12 Conference member University of Missouri.
“I have no regrets. I didn’t lose to Missouri,” Shull said. “It was an honor to play for coach (Bill) Snyder. I love K-State and Manhattan. It (Manhattan) grew on me. I stayed in Manhattan in the summer. I lived there for five years.”
Shull signed with the Detroit Lions as a free agent. The Colts and Patriots also were interested, he said.
“I spent one season at Detroit on the taxi squad,” Shull said. “I saw considerable playing time in preseason, too, but I didn’t play in a regular-season game.
“I’d seen a specialist, because of a banged-up back, after the 2004 season,” Shull said. “So, reluctantly, I walked away. I, at least, left on my terms.”
Kansas State also led Shull to his wife Shay (sister of Wildcat linebacker Sean Lowe of Texas). They were married in March 2004 and are expecting their first child in September.
Shull, who lives in McKinney, Texas, will be 27 on April 2. He owns an insurance agency.
