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TOPEKA — It’s all about one more chance, one more opportunity and one more day for Seaman football’s quartet this week. Three players and coach Jared Swafford are representing the East in Saturday’s 52nd Shrine Bowl all-star game in Dodge City.
“It gives you goosebumps. The time that I have been fortunate enough to spend with them over the last four years and I get one more chance to coach them,” Swafford said. “They are representing our community, our program, the coaches that have coached them and they are representing their families."
Quarterback Max Huston, wide receiver Bryer Finley and defensive lineman Kaden Jordan received nominations to represent the East squad this year. It’s an honor that they are all proud to receive.
“The week’s been going good and we’ve been getting after it during practice, getting better,” Finley said. “It’s been great to be a part of this, it’s bigger than a game, it’s for the kids in need. I’m just very appreciative of the opportunity.”
High school baseball: Which Topeka-area pitchers led the city in strikeouts this season?
The weeklong experience has the East team stationed at Ottawa University. There, the team is practicing and getting ready for Saturday’s game. Along with the football side, they are all playing for a much bigger cause.
Part of this week’s events includes the Hospital Experience Day. Players from both all-star teams will spend time with patients from the Shriners Hospital. The 17 children from the hospital are expected to be honored at Saturday’s game, too.
“We’ve been able to meet some pretty cool kids and help them out. It’s been great and really an eye-opening experience,” Jordan said. “From a what-it’s-about standpoint, we are doing it for the kids. There are no other reasons to do this other than that.”
The East team has welcomed some patients to the team’s practice this week. They have enjoyed meals during the day and shared laughs throughout. It’s been a difference-maker for the roster and moved many, especially Swafford, who is making his first appearance as an assistant coach for the Shrine Bowl.
“You know what the Shriners stand for and what they do to help kids,” Swafford said. “When you get down here and meet the kids that get help from the Shriners, it really sinks in what you are doing.”
High school baseball: Which Topeka-area players led the city in home runs?
When the football game kicks off on Saturday, the competitive juices will be rolling. The game is hardly an exhibition with the teams performing at a high level. Huston will be one of the quarterbacks who is rotated throughout the game. He shared that this week’s experience of learning from new coaches and different players has certainly helped him.
“Some of the pass concepts that this offensive coordinator has, we didn’t really do down at Seaman,” Huston said. “I’ve learned a new offense and it’s been fun.”
Along with the Seaman’s foursome, Washburn Rural’s Caden Estrada will also be representing Shawnee County. The offensive lineman is signed to play at Emporia State this fall.
Jordan is signed to play at Hutchinson Community College. It’s a place where he felt welcomed during his visits this year. He was named to the first-team all-United Kansas Conference this season.
“I think they just know what they are doing down there,” Jordan said. “As far as JUCOs go, I don’t know if there are any better out there than Hutch. If they want me, shoot, they got me.”
Vote: 2025 Capital-Journal's high school boys Athlete of the Year
Huston is off to Coffeyville Community College. According to the signal caller, he believed Coffeyville would give him a great chance to start right away, which was a main reason for his decision.
There’s still a big decision for Finley, who hasn’t picked where he will play his college athletics. He hasn’t decided if he wants to play football or baseball, but whatever school picks the all-around athlete, they will be thankful for his work ethic and skills. Finley was named the UKC’s Offensive Player of the Year for football this season.
“I’m still undecided. I have to make the decision here pretty soon,” Finley said.
The Shrine Bowl will kick off at 7 p.m. Saturday at Dodge City’s Memorial Stadium.
Liam Keating covers high school sports for The Topeka Capital-Journal. Send stats or information to him at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Inside the 2025 Shrine Bowl experience for the Topeka area
Continue reading...
“It gives you goosebumps. The time that I have been fortunate enough to spend with them over the last four years and I get one more chance to coach them,” Swafford said. “They are representing our community, our program, the coaches that have coached them and they are representing their families."
Quarterback Max Huston, wide receiver Bryer Finley and defensive lineman Kaden Jordan received nominations to represent the East squad this year. It’s an honor that they are all proud to receive.
“The week’s been going good and we’ve been getting after it during practice, getting better,” Finley said. “It’s been great to be a part of this, it’s bigger than a game, it’s for the kids in need. I’m just very appreciative of the opportunity.”
High school baseball: Which Topeka-area pitchers led the city in strikeouts this season?
The weeklong experience has the East team stationed at Ottawa University. There, the team is practicing and getting ready for Saturday’s game. Along with the football side, they are all playing for a much bigger cause.
Part of this week’s events includes the Hospital Experience Day. Players from both all-star teams will spend time with patients from the Shriners Hospital. The 17 children from the hospital are expected to be honored at Saturday’s game, too.
“We’ve been able to meet some pretty cool kids and help them out. It’s been great and really an eye-opening experience,” Jordan said. “From a what-it’s-about standpoint, we are doing it for the kids. There are no other reasons to do this other than that.”
The East team has welcomed some patients to the team’s practice this week. They have enjoyed meals during the day and shared laughs throughout. It’s been a difference-maker for the roster and moved many, especially Swafford, who is making his first appearance as an assistant coach for the Shrine Bowl.
“You know what the Shriners stand for and what they do to help kids,” Swafford said. “When you get down here and meet the kids that get help from the Shriners, it really sinks in what you are doing.”
High school baseball: Which Topeka-area players led the city in home runs?
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When the football game kicks off on Saturday, the competitive juices will be rolling. The game is hardly an exhibition with the teams performing at a high level. Huston will be one of the quarterbacks who is rotated throughout the game. He shared that this week’s experience of learning from new coaches and different players has certainly helped him.
“Some of the pass concepts that this offensive coordinator has, we didn’t really do down at Seaman,” Huston said. “I’ve learned a new offense and it’s been fun.”
Along with the Seaman’s foursome, Washburn Rural’s Caden Estrada will also be representing Shawnee County. The offensive lineman is signed to play at Emporia State this fall.
Jordan is signed to play at Hutchinson Community College. It’s a place where he felt welcomed during his visits this year. He was named to the first-team all-United Kansas Conference this season.
“I think they just know what they are doing down there,” Jordan said. “As far as JUCOs go, I don’t know if there are any better out there than Hutch. If they want me, shoot, they got me.”
Vote: 2025 Capital-Journal's high school boys Athlete of the Year
You must be registered for see images attach
Huston is off to Coffeyville Community College. According to the signal caller, he believed Coffeyville would give him a great chance to start right away, which was a main reason for his decision.
There’s still a big decision for Finley, who hasn’t picked where he will play his college athletics. He hasn’t decided if he wants to play football or baseball, but whatever school picks the all-around athlete, they will be thankful for his work ethic and skills. Finley was named the UKC’s Offensive Player of the Year for football this season.
“I’m still undecided. I have to make the decision here pretty soon,” Finley said.
The Shrine Bowl will kick off at 7 p.m. Saturday at Dodge City’s Memorial Stadium.
Liam Keating covers high school sports for The Topeka Capital-Journal. Send stats or information to him at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Inside the 2025 Shrine Bowl experience for the Topeka area
Continue reading...
