By Matt Browning

Curtis Landrum of McPherson was voted as the Salina-area preseason defensive lineman of the year. Landrum received 9,331 votes, which was 44 percent of the overall vote.

Landrum was a second team all-league defensive end as a sophomore last season for the Bullpups.

“It means a lot to me (to be voted) especially because I’m not that big compared to some of these other players,” Landrum said.

Landrum was especially effective against the run last season, racking up 49 tackles and four of those were for a loss. But he struggled rushing the quarterback, registering just two sacks.

“This year I’m trying to work on my pass rush because last year I was good at stopping the run but I struggled with the pass rush,” Landrum said.

Being only a junior, Landrum still has plenty of time to decide what he wants to do after high school, but he already has an idea.

“I want to play football in college. I haven’t decided where I want to go it just depends on who I get an offer from,” Landrum said.