By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post
HAYS - The West All-Stars, who trained in Hays this week, head to Emporia for the 51st Kansas Shrine Bowl on Saturday, June 29th, at 7:00 p.m. at Welch Stadium.
McPherson High School's Jace Pavlovich, a former Hays High assistant coach and Fort Hays State player, leads the West squad. He shared his excitement about returning to Hays.
"This is home, and I miss this place. It's been special to me. I played here for six years, coached at Hays High for two, and even proposed to my wife on this field."
Hays native Nicolas Schmidt, a TMP-Marian alum and Medicine Lodge head coach, joins Pavlovich as an assistant.
“It feels like home. I played high school ball on this field so it’s good getting back here, seeing the family, seeing some people get out here. It’s just a blast.”
Schmidt’s Medicine Lodge team finished 9-3 and advanced to the Class 1A state semifinals where they lost to eventual state champion Conway Springs.
Hays High's Malik Bah, the school's all-time leading rusher, is one of three players representing the Western Athletic Conference along with Liberal quarterback Brooks Kappelman and Garden City defensive lineman Sebastian Lopez.
Bah says he’s excited to play with them as well as all of his other new teammates.
“It’s been awesome all of these years competing against them. It’s real fun to actually be on a team with them and I feel we have that super team to beat the East side” Bah said.
Plainville offensive lineman Mason Hogan says he’s trying to soak in the entire experience.
“It’s been amazing” Hogan said. “Having players from Plainville who’ve played in the past tell how much of an experience it is, just take it in, be humble and just take in all of the experiences because it’s going to be life changing.”
Both Bah and Hogan will continue their career on Fort Hays State.
Saturday’s game will be broadcast live on Smoky Hills PBS.
