By Don Cogger

Herald Sports Editor

Friday was Media Day at Cheney Alumni Field in Casper, and players and coaches participating in Saturday’s 51st Annual Shrine Bowl took time out of their busy practice schedule to pose for photos and answer questions.

It’s been a whirlwind week for players and coaches alike, with two-a-day practices during the day, followed by team bonding activities at night, courtesy of the Shriners.

“Practice has been great,” said South head coach Russ Stienmetz. “There was one practice that was kind of down – I think the kids were just really full from lunch. But once they realized it’s two-a-days, they settled right in. We try to have fun, and I think the team has really meshed well together. I’ve been really impressed with how well everyone has come together.”

Throwing together 36 kids – most of whom have never played together before – and teaching them a new offensive system in less than a week isn’t for the faint of heart. That said, Stienmetz was quick to praise his team for their adaptability.

“We’re talking about the best players in the state – they have excellent fundamentals, so you’re not worrying about that so much as just trying to align them correctly. They pick up things so quick – it’s incredible, what they do. Everybody’s listening, so everybody’s on the same page. It’s incredible.”

Uinta County is well-represented on the South roster, with seven players: Cohen Morrow, Kai Barker and Brady Roberts from Evanston; Carson Eardley, Fletcher Black and Coby Jones from Mountain View; and Morgan Hatch from Lyman, a late addition to the roster. 

“It’s been a cool experience so far, all the guys have really bonded together,” Morrow said. “We’re getting everything together, getting ready to play on Saturday.”

Asked what it’s like learning a new system in such a short amount of time, Morrow said it was a lot to digest at first, but as the week went on, things started making sense.

“It was a lot, to begin with – Monday, we started going over a few things here and there, and we just kept adding on throughout the week,” Morrow explained. “By yesterday, though, we were pretty solid. We scrimmaged a bit, and we’re looking pretty good.”

Though Roberts – like Morrow and Barker – was a standout on both sides of the ball as a Red Devil, he’ll be used primarily as a running back for the South. He said learning a new system has been interesting, but fun.

“The plays are about three sentences long, but I just have to listen for my certain part of the play,” he said, laughing. “It’s been pretty chill.”

Barker said as a receiver, his role isn’t as complex.

“In my opinion, wide receiver is really easy – I just run in lines and catch a ball,” he chuckled. “For me, it’s pretty easy, but for some of the guys, it’s tough, because they have a lot more to do than me. It’s kinda hard and easy, at the same time.”

There’s been plenty of time after practices for team bonding, with a different activity every night, including a cornhole tournament, a movie night, ax throwing and a casino night. Roberts said his South teammates that reside outside of Uinta County have proven to be a pretty good hang.

“It’s been good, we have a lot of fun,” he said. “Everybody on our team is pretty cool. They’re like Evanston guys – just scattered across the rest of Wyoming.”

Barker agreed.

“I think the South team has become known as the guys who have a little more fun,” he said. “We just make jokes, and have a good time with each other. We’re here to play football, but we’re also here to make friendships and have a lot of fun.”

Asked what the highlight of the week has been so far, all three Red Devils agreed it was meeting the ambassadors from the Shriner’s Children’s Hospital for a special event on Monday.

“That was a really humbling experience,” Barker said. “It kind of reminded me of some family that dealt with some similar problems. I could connect to them; it brought back some good memories.”

“The whole experience kind of shocks you,” Roberts added. “It lets you know that you’re doing something good, that you’re a part of something that’s helping. You feel good about playing in the game.”

For Coach Stienmetz, meeting the ambassadors served as a reminder to his players and coaches just how fortunate they are to be able to participate in the Shrine Bowl.

“As a coach, it really makes you feel fortunate that you get to get up and do what you do on a daily basis,” he said. “Those kids go through so much, and it’s such a privilege to be able to give something back to them through this game.”