🏈 East downs West to end Shrine Bowl losing streak

Liberal's Brooks Kappelmann attempts a pass for the West squad during the 51st Kansas Shrine Bowl on Saturday, June 29, 2024 at Welch Stadium in Emporia, Kan. (Mac Moore, KSHSAA Covered photo)

Hays Post

EMPORIA – The East ended a four-game Kansas Shrine Bowl losing streak, defeating the West 36-25 Saturday night at Welch Stadium. Blue Valley Southwest quarterback Dylan Dunn set Shrine Bowl records for passing yards (307) and touchdowns (4) helping the East squad to their first win since 2018. The two teams tied in 2022.

The 36 points scored by the East is the second most all-time by the East, only the 2016 East Team that won 48-27 (also in Emporia) had scored more points. The 59 total points scored is the fifth highest scoring Kansas Shrine Bowl all-time.

The West grabbed the early lead on a 42-yard field goal from McPherson’s Blaise Hoover but the East scored the the next 20 points for a 20-3 halftime lead.

After forcing a three-and-out on the East’s first possession of the third quarter, McPherson’s Teegan Haines blocked a punt and was returned 20-yards by Clay Center’s Brody Hayes for the West’s first touchdown but the East answered with a long touchdown pass to extend the lead to 28-10.

Brooks Kappelmann (Liberal) connected with Haines for a 15-yard touchdown pass to pull within 36-23 in the fourth quarter. Kappelmann set a Shrine Bowl record with 51 pass attempts and completions with 29.

The West threw an interception with a little over a minute to play but forced a safety for the final score.

Plainville's Mason Hogan (79) looks on from the sidelines at the 51st Kansas Shrine Bowl on Saturday, June 28, 2024 at Welch Stadium in Emporia, Kan. (Mac Moore, KSHSAA Covered photo)

Several area players competed in the game for the West including Hays High running back Malik Bah and Plainville offensive lineman Mason Hogan. TMP-Marian graduate and current Medicine Lodge coach Nicolas Schmidt was an assistant coach for the West team.

Bah finished with three carries for seven yards and caught five passes for 13 yards.

2024 Shrine Bowl Award Winners
Gary Spani Award East MVP (voted on by working media)
Dylan Dunn, Blue Valley Southwest

Paul Coffman Award West MVP (voted on by working media)
Brody Hayes, Clay Center

Russ Riederer Most Inspirational Award East (voted on by teammates, coaches & staff)
Holden Bass, Nemaha Central

Mike Bell Most Inspirational Award West (voted on by teammates, coaches & staff)
J. Brooks Kappelmann, Liberal

Paul & Lucy Miller Outstanding Impact Award East (given to the top fundraiser)
Dalton Roush, Holton

Paul & Lucy Miller Oustanding Impact Award West (given to the top fundraiser)
Kooper Tichenor, Holcomb