Annual Kansas Shrine Bowl festivities are set for this weekend in Pittsburg, Kansas and eight area athletes and one coach are set to participate in the cross country race and football game.

The cross country race will feature four area senior runners this year with Lexia Jamison of Perry Lecompton competing in the girl's competition and Frankfort Wildcats, Adam Koch and Keith Huddleston, along with Josh Ballenger of Wetmore set to compete in the boy's race.

Jamison wrapped up her cross country career for the Kaws this past year taking fourth place at the Big Seven League meet and finishing 31st at the 4A Regional competition at Bonner Springs. While, both Koch and Huddleston helped Frankfort capture the silver medal as a team in Class 1A at the State competition, finishing just eight points out of first place as a team. Koch paced the Wildcats with a bronze medal at State in his senior year posting a time of 17:24.55 for third place, while Huddleston placed 29th after notching a time of 19:32.30. Wetmore Cardinal, Ballenger like his Twin Valley League mates from Frankfort enjoyed a great cross country season as he helped lead the Cardinals to a fourth place team finish in Class 1A at State and placed 17th individually with a time of 18:49.62.

The football game will be in his 41st year and four area athlete's look to lead the East team to a win like four area players did last year, breaking a seven-game losing streak for the East team in the Shrine Bowl. This year Dustin Rottinghaus of B&B, JT Rosine of Centralia, Nick McAferty of McLouth and Jake Reiderer of Holton are all set to compete in the Shrine Bowl this week. While both Peyton Newell of Hiawatha and Justin Scott of Jeff West, also were both selected to the Shrine Bowl from the area, but will not play in the game. McLouth Bulldog head coach, Chris Stewart will coach in the game again this year taking over the head coaching duties for the East this season after serving as an assistant last year.

B&B Falcon Dustin Rottinghaus helped the Falcons go out on top in the final year of the school as the team went 13-1 and won the 8-Man Division II State title, repeating as champions. Rottinghaus lead the Falcons high flying offense at quarterback passing for 2,666 yards, 46 touchdowns and only six interceptions in his senior year, while rushing for over 380 yards and 14 touchdowns, too. Dustin also added 53 tackles on defense with three interceptions and seven pass defenses on the year at safety/linebacker on defense.

Centralia Panther, JT Rosine led a potent rushing attack out of the patent single-wing formation helping the Panthers to a 13-0 mark on the season and a Class 2-1A State Championship. The senior quarterback posted over 500 yards passing with six TD, while rushing for over 1,100 yards and 17 touchdowns. Rosine also made an impact on the defensive side of the ball at safety for the Panthers as Centralia only allowed 5.2 ppg and 113.4 ypg to their opponents.

Holton Wildcat, Jake Riederer helped the Holton Wildcats to another stellar season on the football field this year finishing 12-1 and falling one game shy of a return trip to the Class 4A state championship. Riederer anchored a Wildcat offensive line that posted 380.5 rushing ypg throughout the year and put up 36.3 ppg. Riederer also registered 30 tackles and a pair of fumble recoveries on the defensive side of the ball for the Wildcats.

McLouth Bulldog, Nick McAferty proved to be quite the playmaker for the Bulldogs throughout the season helping lead them back to the 2-1A playoffs again and 7-3 season under Head Coach Stewart who McAferty will play for one final time in the Shrine Bowl. Nick earned first team offense and second defense in the Northeast Kansas League this year, while earning All-Class honors on offense.

Eight area athletes will represent their respective school one last time at the Shrine Bowl this Saturday, July 26th in Pittsburg, Kansas at Carney Stadium competing in the cross country race and football game.