State's top talent ready for 2013 Shrine Bowl

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Sure, the East knows all about the streak. The players and coaches are all well aware the West has won the Kansas Shrine Bowl seven times in a row.

 

But that doesn’t mean you’ll hear the East squad using it as a rallying cry.

 

“The streak isn’t something that’s really talked about,” said East head coach Jason Swift, who is representing Shawnee Heights in the Shrine Bowl. “These kids had no control on what’s happened in the past. These kids weren’t a part of the past games. This is their one game. People definitely bring up the streak. They’re aware of it, but they don’t have any control over the past games.”

 

Still, the East does have control of the 2013 contest and will try to beat the West for the first time since 2005 when the two teams butt heads at 7:05 p.m. Saturday at Washburn University’s Yager Stadium for the 40^th annual Kansas Shrine Bowl.

 

“This game means a lot to the East,” Swift said. “The kids play against each other in the fall. They want to represent their side well.”

 

None of the state’s top 10 college football recruits on Rivals.com will be represented at the game, including Oklahoma State receiver Jerel Morrow, Kansas State defensive end Tanner Wood, Missouri offensive lineman Clay Rhodes and KU recruits Montell Cozart, Jordan Darling and Ben Johnson.

 

However, there will still be a great deal of talent on hand for the annual all-star football game.

 

The East roster includes several Topeka Capital-Journal Top 11 performers with Topeka High defensive lineman Will Geary, St. Thomas Aquinas lineman Dan Morin, Shawnee Mission West running back Brett Sterbach and Holton linebacker Trent Tanking. Morin, however, was injured and will not play.

 

Swift said Tanking, Geary, Topeka High quarterback Raymond Solis, Topeka Hayden’s Andy Otting, Lyndon lineman Dakota Jiskra and Blue Valley Northwest receiver Austin Moses were among the players who stood out at early practices.

 

Solis, who signed with Washburn, will start at quarterback in Swift’s shotgun spread offense after replacing Blue Valley Southwest’s Aaron Ramsey on the roster at the last minute.

 

“I called him Friday night, and he was working at Via’s Pizza in Topeka,” Swift said. “I called him and asked if he’d like to join the team. He said he’d love to. He’s been great.”

 

McLouth’s Marc Walbridge also will see time at quarterback for the East.

 

The West roster also boasts Top 11 performers with Scott City’s Drew Kite and Bishop Carroll quarterback Zeke Palmer. Ryan Cornelsen, of Hays, will be the West’s head coach.

 

“We started practices on Friday, and we’re having two-a-days,” Cornelsen said. “I feel like we’ve progressed. We found out where kids fit in to the system and then we teach the system. We installed the offense. We’re getting closer. It takes a bit of time.”

 

Cornelsen said Palmer has stood out at quarterback.

 

“He’s kind of been a leader for us offensively,” Cornelsen said.

 

Wichita Heights defensive back Justus Moreland has been among the standouts on defense, Cornelsen said.

The West will be without Derby’s Kellen Sims, who suffered a torn hamstring, and Rose Hill lineman Cody Walther. Arkansas City’s Riley Dowler is questionable.

 

Like the East, Cornelsen said his team is aware of the streak, but that it isn’t the focus.

 

“There’s pressure whether or not we’ve won seven in a row,” he said. “Our kids want to represent their programs and our side of the state well.”

 

And while the game is important, both coaches said the Shrine Bowl is about a lot more than football.

 

Since the Shrine Bowl began in 1974, it has generated more than $2.5 million for Shriners Hospitals for Children.

On Thursday, both teams were scheduled to meet some of the patients in Topeka.

 

“It’s a humbling experience when you get the chance to see the kids and the people who work with them at the hospital and see how passionate they are,” Cornelsen said. “It’s an all-star game, but it means a lot more than that.”