Saint Louis’ Koehler will play in all-star game

Who says childhood stars can’t go on to bigger roles?

Four years after being an eighth-grade sensation, offensive lineman Reeve Koehler of Saint Louis has been invited to participate in the U.S. Army All-American Game in San Antonio.

Defensive tackle Scott Pagano of Moanalua also will compete in the all-star high school game Jan. 5 in San Antonio.

Koehler had never played in an organized tackle football game when he was invited to compete in the East Bay Youth All-American Game for middle school players.

"Reeve was on the radar given his size and pedigree," said Richard McGuinness, president of both all-star games. "He was not playing tackle football because he was too big (for youth leagues). But he came down and played one of his first games in San Antonio. He was there four years ago. He was one of the few kids we said: ‘We’d love to see him again in four years.’ "

Koehler gained national attention that year when he received a scholarship offer from Greg McMackin, who was UH’s head coach at the time.

Koehler said it was "definitely a challenge" to spend his high school years under the already-lit spotlight.

"You’re not just a role model in school, you have other people looking at you from the outside," Koehler said. "You have to keep that clean image. It’s been easy at Saint Louis. Everybody has been teaching me how to be a better man, or as we call it here, a Saint Louis man. The spotlight is on you to see if you fail or the good things that you do."

Koehler has had mostly a positive experience.

In March, he learned he was on the all-star game’s watch list.

"I was excited because this was the same bowl my brother Solomon went to," said Koehler, who is 6 feet 3 and 315 pounds.

Koehler has narrowed his college choices to UH, Kansas and California. He said he probably won’t make a decision until February.

For now, he is focusing on next month’s game.

"I started off my career there, playing my first football game," Koehler said. "It was exciting. I can finish off my high school career where I started."

The tradition could be continued. His younger brother, Kamana, is in the sixth grade. Kamana is 5-8 and 220 pounds.

"We’ll see what happens in a few years," Koehler said.