By Brad Hallier, VYPE Kansas Editor in Chief
The Kansas Shrine Bowl, an annual high school football all-star game for outgoing seniors, featured a couple of changes this year.
First, the Shrine Bowl was played in a different city for the first time – Dodge City. Second, the game was played in early June rather than late in the summer.
The changes didn’t alter the enthusiasm for the game, which the West won 26-7 over the East.
Several VYPE-area players participated and had outstanding performances for the West. Maize quarterback Caleb Grill flung two touchdown passes, including one to Valley Center’s Larry Wilson for 22 yards in the second quarter. Grill, who will attend Iowa State and play basketball for the Cyclones, finished completing 5 of 11 pass for 91 yards.
McPherson’s Gabe Hoover opened the scoring, snagging a 14-yard pass from Great Bend’s Koy Brack.

West quarterback Caleb Grill, who graduated from Maize, warms up before the Shrine Bowl in Dodge City. Grill was named the Most Valuable Player for the victorious West team.
Salina Central’s Taylon Peters scored the game’s final touchdown, on a 14-yard rush late in the fourth quarter. Peters also kicked a couple extra points. Peters finished with 66 rushing yards.
Ell-Saline’s Nick Davenport led the West defensively with eight tackles. He also forced a fumble and recovered a fumble while adding a quarterback sack.
Grill was named the West’s Most Valuable Player, the first MVP ever from Maize.
Wellington had its first Shrine Bowl player in 16 years, as De’Andre Washington played on the West’s defense and recorded two tackles.
The 2020 Shrine Bowl will be played July 18 at Yager Stadium in Topeka, on the Washburn University campus.
