Ty Klintworth is an avid fisherman who knows it usually takes extra effort to land a prize catch. Maybe that explains why Klintworth decided to play football for the Rudder Rangers.

Given the opportunity to choose whether to attend the new school or be part of an established program at Bryan High, Klintworth opted to wet his hook in waters yet unfished. Now he is a defensive end and tight end for the Rangers, who will play their second varsity game against Hearne on Friday night.

Although it may take a while for the Rangers to put a trophy on the wall, Klintworth said he has never second-guessed his decision to attend Rudder.

"I wanted to help start something, start our own traditions," Klintworth said. "This was the right decision for me."

Klintworth has played defensive end and tight end since he was a seventh grader at Sam Rayburn Middle School. He chose to try out at tight end, while the Rayburn coaches saw him as an end on defense.

That was another fine choice, according to Rudder head coach C.M. Pier.

"He's a pretty good hand defensively," Pier said. "When he matures, he's going to be equally as good offensively. Before all is said and done, he's going to be a really, really good football player here."

The 6-foot-1, 175-pound sophomore was part of history two weeks ago when the Rangers played their first varsity game. Rudder's sophomores and freshmen lost to a more experienced Cleveland team 48-0.

"The first game for me was an eye-opener," Klintworth said. "It was everything coach Pier said it was going to be. The speed was a lot faster. The players were more intense. I think it was an eye-opener for everybody."

Klintworth is looking toward a career in civil engineering, hoping to attend Texas A&M. He works as a diesel mechanic for his father at Brazos Dozer Service, where Klintworth has helped out since he was a kid.

When he's not working in the shop or playing football, Klintworth likes to hunt and fish. His dream job is pro fisherman. You get the idea that Pier wouldn't mind sharing a boat or a hunting cabin with Klintworth.

"Ty is a good player, a guy who comes to practice every day and works hard," Pier said. "He brings some toughness to our team. He's a very steady, reliable kid. He's really fun to be around. I like him."