Chanute High School running back Eric Bowman had a breakout senior year in 2010 and was rewarded with a Kansas Shrine Bowl selection, one of eight running backs listed on the East roster.
Not that Bowman played badly when he was at Girard High School in 2008 and 2009 (Bowman earned CNC honorable mention his sophomore year), but he did not have a season like 1,742 yards and 24 touchdowns on 171 carries — 10.2 yards per carry and 158.4 yards per game, earning Bowman All-State honors in Class 4A.
“My father lived there in Chanute and I wanted to live with him,” Bowman said. “That’s the main reason why I decided to go there. Once I got into the program, I realized that I was surrounded by a lot of talent.”
Chanute’s talent included fellow running back Jared McComb, who rushed for 1,398 yards and 23 TDs on 154 carries. Bowman and McComb became the first SEK League teammates to score 20 or more touchdowns during the same season; McComb scored seven touchdowns in a Class 4A playoff game against SEK League rival Columbus to go over 20 TDs.
The Blue Comet offense posted high numbers, averaging 44.5 points and 348.2 rushing yards per game in an 8-3 season. Bowman said there was an adjustment from the more traditional “smash mouth” offense of Girard to the spread offense favored by Chanute and head coach Don Simmons.
“I felt like it was the right fit for me,” Bowman said. “Coach Simmons was a brilliant offensive coordinator.”
Bowman filled in for McComb during portions of the early season — 202 yards on 11 carries against McDonald County (Mo.) in the season opener, with touchdown runs of 82, 15 and 86 yards. He ran for 271 yards and four TDs the next week against Labette County.
Nearly 500 yards and seven touchdowns in the first two weeks of the season amounts to a good head start toward 1,742 yards and 24 TDs.
Like his new teammates, Bowman has been in Emporia at the Shrine Bowl East Football Camp, preparing for the big game Saturday evening in Hays against a West squad that has won five consecutive Shrine Bowls.
“It’s been an awesome experience,” he said. “It’s been hot and trying at times. Overall, I feel blessed to be involved with this game and working toward such a noble cause. It’s been eye-opening.”
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