BIG-TIME DECISIONS (w/video)

Cordell senior signs to play football at Kansas college

  • Cordell High School senior Raydon Kuehne, front center, signed to play football at Bethel College in North Newton Kansas. With Kuehne are, front row, Blue Devils head coach Zane Trammell and assistant coach, Dillon Ball. Back row, left to right, mom Nikki Kuehne, sister Kaitlyn and dad Rob. PHOTO BY FLORA WALTERS
    Cordell High School senior Raydon Kuehne, front center, signed to play football at Bethel College in North Newton Kansas. With Kuehne are, front row, Blue Devils head coach Zane Trammell and assistant coach, Dillon Ball. Back row, left to right, mom Nikki Kuehne, sister Kaitlyn and dad Rob. PHOTO BY FLORA WALTERS
  • The Cordell High School football team showed up to support Raydon Kuehne as he signed his letter of intent to play college football. PHOTO BY FLORA WALTERS
    The Cordell High School football team showed up to support Raydon Kuehne as he signed his letter of intent to play college football. PHOTO BY FLORA WALTERS
  • Raydon Kuehne poses for a picture with his sister Kaitlyn Kuehne.
    Raydon Kuehne poses for a picture with his sister Kaitlyn Kuehne.
  • Raydon Kuehne poses with Alisa Boecker, who baked his cake.
    Raydon Kuehne poses with Alisa Boecker, who baked his cake.
  • Raydon Kuehne seals the deal with Bethel College.
    Raydon Kuehne seals the deal with Bethel College.
  • Raydon Kuehne with his fellow football seniors.
    Raydon Kuehne with his fellow football seniors.
  • The Kuehnes pose for a quick picture with Raydon's cake.
    The Kuehnes pose for a quick picture with Raydon's cake.

Cordell High School senior Raydon Kuehne signed his letter of intent to play football for Bethel College in North Newton, Kansas, on National Signing Day Feb. 3.

The signing was held in the Cordell School’s Auditorium, with Kuehne’s entire team in attendance.

Kuehne was accompanied by his parents Nikki and Rob Kuehne, sister Kaitlyn Kuehne, and football coaches Zane Trammell and Dillon Ball, during the signing.

The ceremony was topped off with a cake courtesy of Alisa Boecker.

In a brief interview, Kuehne gave The Beacon some insight on his plans for the future.

Q: What school are you signing with?

A: Bethel College

Q: Where is Bethel Located?

A: It’s in North Newton, Kansas, about 20 minutes north of Wichita.

Q: What division is Bethel?

A: NAIA, which is kind of comparable to D2

Q: What do you plan to study?

A: I’m still undecided, but I’m considering studying to become a physical therapist.

Q: What position were you recruited as?

A: Safety.

Q: What are your hopes for your freshman season?

A: Well, Bethel is really good. They just finished going 8-0 and are going to make a run for the national championship in their division, so I hope to be a part of that. They have a lot of strong players, so I’m going to go and try my best to earn my spot on the field. I want to show them what I can do, and hopefully become a major contender for the team.

Q: Do you think you will play right away?

A: No, I do not. I’m going to have to work hard and prove myself to them first. They bring in a lot of talented kids, so it’s going to be competitive.

Q: How is your injury, and do you think it will affect your ability to play? (Kuehne suffered a severe ankle injury in the football playoffs, and the injury has hampered him since)

A: Once the summer comes and I get some time off, it will heal up and I’ll be ready for college.

Q: How many schools reached out to you?

A: I’ve had nine colleges contact me, but I only visited five of them: Lyon in Arkansas, McPherson in Kansas, Southwestern in Kansas, Southwestern in Weatherford, and of course Bethel.

Q: Why did you choose Bethel?

A: They had a beautiful campus with nice facilities, and the whole team was super inviting. I also resonated with their drive to succeed.