BY JIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbtribune.com
TOPEKA – Great Bend football coach Erin Beck will join Panther safety Dalton Miller and Hoisington linebacker Wyatt Pedigo for the 47th Kansas Shrine Bowl Football Game at Hummer Sports Complex July 18.
Health and safety concerns from the coronavirus will be of primary importance when coaches reported Saturday. Players report Sunday.
"We'll meet with local and county officials on what we need to with following protocols and procedures," Beck said. " We'll do the best we can to keep everybody safe. We'll do daily temperature checks and players have monitored their temperatures before arriving."
Beck will be responsible for coaching the quarterbacks and providing input for offensive play calls. Projected quarterback candidates are Salina Central's Jackson Kavanagh, Riley County's Garrett Harmison and Norton's Cade Melvin.
"The easiest way to design an offense is with personnel groupings," Beck said. "With one quarterback, we might run four wideouts. With another, we could run a tailback with a fullback-type and base plays off that. We have running quarterbacks, we'll throw some wrinkles in there."
The defenses have no restrictions, requiring offenses to protect the quarterbacks at all times.
"The defenses are so good in Shrine Bowls, it's hard to know where to attack;," Beck said. "During the season, you know the personnel and you build a game plan around that."
Beck said he's humbled to be invited to coach in the Shrine Bowl..
"It's an honor to coach in the Shrine Bowl," he said. "Being invited is a testament to our players and our football program. We've caught peoples' eyes. It's a chance to get around coaches and players and learn from them."
“We’re excited to have a new venue and are increasingly hopeful we will be playing football on July 18,” said B.J. Harris, Kansas Shrine Bowl director. “Hummer Sports Complex is an amazing facility. Their staff and support will be a tremendous asset.”
The new venue is a positive step, but the Kansas Shrine Bowl recognizes the challenges and changes that could affect the event.
“All activities are being coordinated with assistance from the Shawnee County COVID-19 Task Force,” said Harris. “The health of our players, participants and fans is the top priority. We’ll work with local officials to execute a safe event.”
The 47th Kansas Shrine Bowl will be anything but business as usual.
The biggest change will the cancellation of the Kansas Masonic All-State Marching Band.
“After discussions with multiple high school and collegiate band directors it became evident that a successful band camp would not be possible with the expected limitations,” said Harris. “We’re disappointed for our band kids, but we’re hopeful we can keep them engaged with our event and execute an alternative that could keep the band present at this year’s game.”
William Woodsworth, Emporia State band director, and A.J. Pence, Valley Falls band director, will working to put together a Kansas Masonic All-State “Virtual” Band.“
“It’s important to allow these fine students to share their talents and their passion, especially given these trying times,” said Woodsworth. “This summer’s performance of the 2020 Kansas Masonic All-State “Virtual” Band will still be for the kids.”
Cancellations include the Participant Appreciation Banquet, Strong Legs Run 5K and hospital screening clinic.
The Kansas Shrine Bowl All-Star Cheer Camp has been shortened to a two-day, commuter camp at a Topeka school district facility. The Kansas Shrine Bowl Parade, high school football combine, and Junior All-Star Challenge are still being considered.
The West leads the East 28-17-1. The exhibition game benefits the Shriners Hospital for Children, which features 22 hospitals.
WEST SQUAD
1–Kade Melvin, Norton, 6-0, 180
3–Jordan Finnesy, Plainville, 6-1, 180
4–Scott Easter, Andale, 6-0, 175
5–Hayden Brown, Hays High, 5-10, 180
6–Kale Schroeder, Sedgwick, 5-9, 175
7–Brady Dinkel, St. Francis, 6-3, 200
8–Carter Morrow, Goddard, 6-0, 195
9–Kaeden Hoefer, Goddard, 6-0, 195
10–Beau Foster, Dodge City, 6-0, 185
11–Garrett Harmison, Riley County, 6-3, 200
12–Jackson Kavanagh, Salina Central, 6-1, 195
13–Joe Williams, Wichita North, 5-9, 165
14–Ty Garrett, Salina South, 6-2, 220
15–Jeremiah Brown, Wichita West, 5-7, 160
16–Dalton Miller, Great Bend, 5-11, 185
17–Chance Omli, Goddard Eisenhower, 6-1, 180
21–Trevion Mitchell, Maize South, 5-10, 170
22–Riley Petz, Cheney, 6-1, 167
27–Phoenix Smith, Wichita Carroll, 6-3, 210
31–Keaton Robertson, Maize High, 6-2, 215
32–Calvin Stapp, Colby 5-10, 165
33–Wyatt Pedigo, Hoisington, 6-0, 210
40–Nolan Streit, Clearwater, 6-2, 190
42–Trey DeGarmo, Andover Central, 6-2, 195
50–Tyler Dorsey, Derby, 6-2, 260
51–Hunter Yager, Scott City, 6-0, 185
54–Hadley Panzer, Lakin, 6-4, 295
60–Creighton Johnson, Beloit, 6-0, 250
63–Dawson Martin, Conway Springs, 5-11, 270
66–Joel Montgomery, Smith Center, 6-0, 185
67–Jacob Fredrickson, Buhler, 6-0, 285
74–Eyann Zimmerman, Belleville Republic County, 6-1, 255
77–Chairez Rufugio, Garden City, 6-1, 310
81–Tyce Hoover, Manhattan, 6-4, 225
97–Judson Wiltfong, Norton, 6-5, 220
99–Tony Caldwell, Valley Center, 6-0, 265
COACHES–Russ Wells, Wichita South; Erin Beck, Great Bend; Derek Tuttle, Andover Central; Shelby Wehrman, Cheney; Lucas Melvin, Norton; Jeff Werner, Sedgwick
MANAGERS–Jakob Breit, Hoisington; Braeden Hopkins, Great Bend
TRAINERS–Taylor Rohleder, Independence; Mathew Enke, Lawrence
DIRECTORS–Greg King, Great Bend; Richard Steele, Wichita
