By Ken Hansard

Pittsburg High School senior Conner Proffitt, a slot receiver and defensive back for the Dragons, was named Honorable Mention All-State at D-Back last season as a junior.  He recorded three interceptions and 28 tackles, despite missing three games – almost a third of his season.

Heading into his senior season, Proffitt spent his off-season working daily to improve upon those numbers, with the intent of dropping the “Honorable Mention” from that All-State status, “I most definitely worked on my speed and technique, and it shows.”   

After finishing 5-4 last season, Proffitt and his teammates feel that they have some things to prove this season.  He is joined by a deep class of talented seniors, and the Dragons feel they are primed for a much more prosperous season, “I’m definitely looking forward to playing on Fridays with this team. This senior class has come a long way. I think we can make a deep run in the playoffs.  We certainly have the team to do it, and we are ready to leave our stamp on this program.” 

Not only does Conner feel that his teammates are ready for the challenge ahead, he is also willing to step up and lead the charge, “I see myself as a huge leader on this team and as someone that anyone on the team can rely on. We need to remember what Coach Latt (Lattimore) always says – that the next game is the most important game on the schedule.  We just need to concentrate on going 1 – 0 every week.”

So far, so good.  The Dragons started their season 2-1, defeating Emporia and Labette County and dropping a highly contested game to Shawnee Mission South, “I think we are in a great place.  It was great that the tough loss came early.  Now we will definitely carry a chip on our shoulders for the rest of the season.”

Proffitt is also a standout in the classroom, boasting an impressive 4.1 GPA.  Following high school, he plans to play football collegiately – whether at the slot receiver position or at defensive back. He would like to study business and accounting.  Alternatively, he is also considering a career in construction management.