From Humboldt to Pittsburg

Jacob Carpenter has made his home in the middle of Humboldt High’s defense for the past four years. The run-stopping linebacker racked up more than 470 tackles over his career. He pushed running backs, quarterbacks and wide receivers back behind the line of scrimmage on more than one occasion.
Now, instead of pushing back defenders, he’ll be moving forward. Carpenter narrowed his list of interested colleges to just one: Pittsburg State University. Once sporting the black and orange of a Humboldt Cub, Carpenter will be donning the red and gold of a Gorilla.
“It all came down to where I felt most comfortable at and where I fit in the best,” Carpenter said. “Once I went down there for the visit, it was kind of a no-brainer for me.”
It will be another year before he plays in his first game. Carpenter, a senior at HHS, said he plans on redshirting his first season.
At 6-foot, 2-inch, 215-pounds, Carpenter said he wants to use his redshirt year to gain 10 pounds. He will still have four years of eligibility.
“For preparation, I’ve been working out with Zach (Rampy) and been talking with Nate Dreiling,” Carpenter said. “They’ve helped me out a lot.”
Rampy and Dreiling are both assistant coaches on Humboldt’s football staff and both played collegiate football. Dreiling was a standout linebacker at Pitt State.

CHOOSING PSU wasn’t an easy choice. Carpenter whittled his choices to three schools — Baker University, Emporia State and, of course, Pittsburg.
“Baker was actually the first school that contacted me, in January (2014) of my junior year. From then, the teams kept coming to me,” Carpenter said. “It was tough to narrow it down to where I felt most comfortable. Throughout the season I had opportunities to focus on football and what I needed to do, but those schools and coaches were always there. It was a long process, but it was fun, too.”
Carpenter chose Pittsburg because he felt comfortable there, but it also helped they are one of the top Division II programs in the country and have a great atmosphere on game day. The Gorillas have won four national championships — the most recent in 2011 — and 27 conference titles.
“I’m looking forward to playing in front of Pitt State fans. It’s Pitt State football. It doesn’t get much better for Division II football or anywhere in the country,” Carpenter said. “I’m excited for something that truly matters for the town and truly matters to me. I’m excited to see where it takes me.”
Carpenter had a stellar high school career, but wants to use his college experience to become his best.
“I want to be the best football player that I can possibly be and I want to see how good I can be,” Carpenter said. “I just want to see what I can do.”

AT HUMBOLDT HIGH, Carpenter earned a resume that made him an All-State and All-League linebacker multiple times. He started half of the Cubs’ games as a freshman and become a full-time starter his sophomore season.
Carpenter did as much as one could on the high school football field. He will have to start over at Pitt State.
“It’s going to be a humbling experience moving on to Pitt State because (in high school) you’re at the top of the totem pole. Once you get to Pitt State, everyone is the same type of player that you are,” Carpenter said. “I’m going to miss not being the big man on campus anymore — which is going to be good for me, to experience that. I’m going to miss my friends here, but I’ll still see them around.”
Carpenter said that when he was on the field, he never thought about how many tackles he made or the accolades that came with them. He just played football. After a game, he said he always enjoyed hearing from his coaches and fans.
“The memories I made here will be with me the rest of my life,” Carpenter said. “I appreciate everything that this town has given me and I appreciate everything that K.B. (Criss) has given me. K.B. has been a huge part of this process, so I appreciate that and everything this town has done for me.”
Criss had nothing but good things to say about his former player.
“As a player for us Jacob has been rock solid and a standout four-year starter at middle linebacker,” Criss said. “A great kid, hard worker, and a kid who is very competitive and will do what it takes to win. Above everything else Jacob is a outstanding young man and a good student which is reflective in his 3.92 GPA.”
Carpenter said he will be moving to Pittsburg this summer to start working out with the team. The football season begins in September.