Two Mission Valley athletes selected for Indigenous Bowl
Warrior Jace Arca tries to evade Fairview tackle during recent quarterfinal playoff game in Arlee. (Jamie Sievers photo)
Bulldog Landon Walks Over Ice reaches for the pass during game against Troy. Landon is one of two local athletes chosen to play in the Indigenous Bowl. (Christa Umphrey photo)
Two Mission Valley athletes have been selected to play in the 7G Foundation Indigenous Bowl in Southern California. Arlee’s Jace Arca and Mission’s Landon Walks Over Ice will be playing in the all-star game for Native athletes.
This year’s game will be hosted on the Soboba Indian Reservation Dec 17-21. A banquet, cultural event, and presentation on college recruitment are also part of the event.
“It feels amazing to be selected. I have been waiting since I was a sophomore for my senior year to hopefully be selected,” Arca said. “The bowl game entails culture and giving us Native American athletes an opportunity to showcase our skill.”
“I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to play in the Indigenous Bowl and thankful for all of my coaches that I’ve had for helping me get to where I am today,” Walks Over Ice said.
Arca has been playing tackle football since third grade, when he started in the Missoula Youth Football Program. He graduates from an Arlee team that went undefeated during the regular season.
“I will always remember the feeling after scoring a touchdown and celebrating with my boys,” Arca said. “This season was the best season I have ever participated in. We found success because of how close we all truly were and played for each other.”
After graduating from Arlee, Arca plans on playing college football while studying Criminal Justice.
“I also have an interest in media arts such as film and videography,” Arca said.
Walks Over Ice started playing flag football in kindergarten and played until he was able to shift to tackle ball in sixth grade.
“My most memorable moments from football are having my older brother as my coach for my junior year and homecoming week throughout high school,” Walks Over Ice said. “This year, I felt like I gave it my all in every single game, but we didn’t go to the playoffs like I felt like we could have.”
Walks Over Ice plans to attend college and major in Wildlife Biology.
To accept the invite, athletes are required to reply with a 500-word essay sharing what it means to them to be accepted to the bowl game.
Bulldog Landon Walks Over Ice reaches for the pass during game against Troy. Landon is one of two local athletes chosen to play in the Indigenous Bowl. (Christa Umphrey photo)