Even though they’ll never suit up for Trenton again, Wes Croy’s former players haven’t received any favorable treatment leading up to the Missouri Lions All-Star Football Game.

“Certainly not,” Croy said. “I’m probably harder on them than anybody.”

After a week of strenuous practices, six Trenton graduates will compete for the West team in today’s game, slated to begin at 7:30 p.m. at Walton Stadium in Warrensburg — along with a smattering of representatives from across Northwest Missouri.

Reigning News-Press Offensive Player of the Year De’Andre Vandevender, who leaves for the University of Northern Iowa in a week and a half, should feel right at home running behind former teammates Kyle Hoyt and Ethan Tabbert — both bound for Missouri Western. Griffon-to-be Mitch Giger, a North Platte grad, adds additional size to a beefy set of blockers.

“Right now, I just feel safe,” Vandevender said. “This line is huge. It’s the biggest line I’ve ever ran behind.”

Several future Northwest Missouri State students — including Lafayette’s Josh Davis and Maryville products Tanner Archer and Tyler Oglesby — also hope to make an impact on a diverse roster that even includes a handful of players from Class 6 schools.

“Every one of them that’s been on the team has impressed us,” Croy said. “They’re all going to represent the west side of the state very well.”

A few last-minute cancellations allowed former Bulldogs Matt Mayfield, Scott Stevens and Zach Kinnison to take part in the week-long event. Although Vandevender has forged several strong friendships with players outside the area, he said the few final days of camaraderie have been the best of his summer.

“It’s good to have one last game before we go our separate ways,” Vandevender said. “I couldn’t think of a better way to go out.”

This is no cushy summer vacation, however. The grueling sets of two-a-days have worn on coaches — it’s the most time Croy has ever been away from his team during the off-season — and players alike. But having one final opportunity to coach the talented group was one Croy couldn’t pass up.

If anything, his time in Warrensburg has given him an even greater appreciation for the competitive crop of college-bound graduates he’ll soon have to replace.

“They loved being teammates and being a part of Trenton football, but they’re ready for the next step in their lives,” Croy said. “We’re definitely going to miss these guys.”

Better late ...

As the summer slipped by, Lafayette coach Chris Neff never doubted that Derrick Williams would receive a scholarship offer to continue his career on the basketball court.

Derrick, on the other hand...

“I’m pretty sure he was sweating it out more than I was,” Neff said. “I’m just really proud of his ability to persevere and not give up.”

Williams — a senior forward for the Fighting Irish last year — saw his hard work pay off earlier this week when he signed Tuesday to play for the College of the Ozarks, an NAIA Division II school in southwest Missouri.

No one simply handed him anything, however. Williams seized the opportunity himself.

In mid-July, he earned most valuable player honors at the Pilz All-Star Game by going off for 37 points on his future school’s home floor. His arsenal of low-post moves and aggressive attack to the rim made a lasting impression on Ozarks coach Steve Shepherd, a graduate of Savannah.

“He definitely impressed me and really impressed the whole gym with how he played,” Shepherd said. “For him to stand out in that field was pretty special.”

Although he led Lafayette in scoring last year as a low-block scorer — 10.9 points per game — Williams spent most of the summer improving his jump shot and ball-handling in order to make a transition to a spot on the wing.

“I think we’ll allow him to play both and allow him to drive with the ball,” Shepherd said. “He can take it to the basket really strong and that’s a reflection of how hard he plays.”

Tricky trifecta

Benton wrestler Dustin Williams finished off an impressive summer slate Friday by picking up his second All-American award in the past week.

The soon-to-be junior placed eighth in the Freestyle portion of the Cadet National Tournament in Fargo, N.D., where he also placed fifth in the Greco-Roman classification earlier in the week.

“He’s been very, very committed this spring and summer, and it’ll definitely pay off in the results next season,” Benton coach Brad Hubbard said.

Already a two-time Class 2 medalist, Williams picked up his third All-America distinction after placing third in the folkstyle category at April’s Brute Adidas Nationals in Kansas City, where his only loss came to the his bracket’s most outstanding wrestler.

Hubbard believes the rigorous off-season schedule will help his rapidly rising wrestler improve upon last year’s fifth-place state finish.

“He’s proven (his talent) at the state level, and now he’s proving it on the national level,” Hubbard said.

Hamilton’s Lindsay Vollmer, meanwhile, added another accomplishment to her growing resume when she finished atop the intermediate division of the heptathalon at Wednesday’s USA Track and Field National Junior Olympics. Her point total of 4715 gave her a comfortable victory of more than 300 points in her division.

Marcolla still chipping away

Madison Marcolla, a four-time News-Press golfer of the year at Chillicothe, recently earned herself a trip to Oregon thanks to her stellar on-course performance.

Marcolla, who will be a junior at Missouri, qualified for next month’s USGA Women’s Amateur in Eugene, Ore., by carding a 74 on July 8 at the Kansas City Country Club.

She is among three Tigers who will journey to the Beaver State to compete in the event, which tees off Aug. 4 and runs through Aug. 10.