2027 Kansas Shrine Bowl Head Coaches Announced
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Tuesday, August 18, 2026
The Kansas Shrine Bowl has announced the selection of Randall Zimmerman, Junction City High School, and Andrew Gantenbein, Osage City High School, to serve as the head coaches for the 54th Kansas Shrine Bowl on Saturday, June 26, 2027. The head coaches are selected from the group of assistant coaches from the previous year’s game after a vote from the previous year’s coaching staff, camp directors and support staff. The 54th Kansas Shrine Bowl will be held on Saturday, June 26, 2027, at Welch Stadium on the campus of Emporia State University in Emporia, Kansas.
The 2027 game will mark the 10th Kansas Shrine Bowl coaching appearance for Randall Zimmerman, and his fourth as the West Head Coach, both of which are the most all-time for any Kansas Shrine Bowl coach. Coach Zimmerman has served on the Kansas Shrine Bowl coaching staff previously as an assistant in 1988, 1995, 2009, 2015, 2021, and 2026. His previous head coaching stints came in 1996, 2010, and 2016. Coach Zimmerman is entering his 33rd year as the Head Coach at Junction City High School, where he has compiled an overall record of 205-112. Including his previous coaching stops at Phillipsburg and Salina Sacred Heart, Coach Zimmerman’s 237 career wins rank 6th amongst all active Kansas High School coaches. Randall and his wife, Stefanie, have four adult children, Rindi, Ty, Tate and Rylee. His son, Ty Zimmerman, was a 2009 Kansas Shrine Bowl West All-Star before an All-American career at Kansas State University that included becoming the first four-time all-conference player in Wildcat history.
“I am very much looking forward to working with, all involved, to ensure the 2027 Shrine Bowl is a very positive and successful experience for all,” said Randall Zimmerman. “It is a great humbling honor to be chosen to lead the West squad in ’27 from the great coaches involved in ’26. FOR THE KIDS!”
The East team will be led by Osage City High School Head Coach Andrew Gantenbein. Coach Gantenbein will be on the Kansas Shrine Bowl sidelines for the third time and his first as the Head Coach, his previous assistant coach appearances came in 2021 and 2026. The upcoming 2026 season will mark his 18th at Osage City High School, where he has compiled an overall record of 112-61. Coach Gantenbein is Osage City High School’s all-time wins leader while leading the Indians to their first ever sectional championship in 2025. Andrew and his fiancé, Amanda Erickson, have five children, Kaityn, Lucas, Taber, Kayley, and Ava. His son, Lucas Gantenbein, served on the 2026 Kansas Shrine Bowl East staff as a team manager.
“It's a tremendous honor to be selected as the East head coach for the 2027 Shrine Bowl. The Shrine Bowl is such a special event, and I'm very thankful to be part of it once again,” said Andrew Gantenbein. “I look forward to working with some of the best players and coaches in the state of Kansas. We'll all be doing it for a great cause: raising money for the Shriners kids. Go East!”
The East team won the 2026 Kansas Shrine Bowl, 14-7, the second win in the last three years for the East to make the all-time series 32-19-2 in favor of the West. The 2027 game returns to Emporia, where the East has won each of the last three games played at Welch Stadium and five of the seven all-time games played on the campus of Emporia State University. The 2027 Kansas Shrine Bowl will be played at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 26, 2027.
“We are excited to have both Coach Zimmerman and Coach Gantenbein lead our 2027 Kansas Shrine Bowl teams,” said Kansas Shrine Bowl Executive Director, Brice Kesler. “The football coaching accolades for both men are outstanding, but more importantly, these two men are the perfect leaders to represent the cause at the heart of the Kansas Shrine Bowl. Their long, successful, tenures at their respective schools speak volumes for the type of role models they are and our 2027 all-stars will be very fortunate to have an opportunity to be mentored and coached by these two great men.”
To learn more about the Kansas Shrine Bowl and related events visit www.KansasShrineBowl.com. The Shrine Bowl of Kansas Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that produces annual events and related activities, with net proceeds benefiting Shriners Children’s Hospital. Kansas Shrine All-Star Events also include the Kansas Masonic All-State Marching Band Camp, the Kansas Shrine Bowl All-Star Cheer Camp, the KWCA Kansas Shrine Duals and many other game week events. All Kansas Shrine All-Star Events are produced and presented to benefit Shriners Children's. Shriner's Children's, previously Shriners Hospitals for Children, is a world-renowned healthcare system with hospitals, outpatient clinics, ambulatory care centers and outreach locations across the globe. Shriners Children's is dedicated to improving the lives of children every day by providing pediatric specialty care, innovative research, and outstanding teaching programs for medical professionals. Children up to the age of 18 are eligible for care and receive all services in a family-centered environment, regardless of the patients' ability to pay.
The Kansas Shrine Bowl has announced the selection of Randall Zimmerman, Junction City High School, and Andrew Gantenbein, Osage City High School, to serve as the head coaches for the 54th Kansas Shrine Bowl on Saturday, June 26, 2027. The head coaches are selected from the group of assistant coaches from the previous year’s game after a vote from the previous year’s coaching staff, camp directors and support staff. The 54th Kansas Shrine Bowl will be held on Saturday, June 26, 2027, at Welch Stadium on the campus of Emporia State University in Emporia, Kansas.
The 2027 game will mark the 10th Kansas Shrine Bowl coaching appearance for Randall Zimmerman, and his fourth as the West Head Coach, both of which are the most all-time for any Kansas Shrine Bowl coach. Coach Zimmerman has served on the Kansas Shrine Bowl coaching staff previously as an assistant in 1988, 1995, 2009, 2015, 2021, and 2026. His previous head coaching stints came in 1996, 2010, and 2016. Coach Zimmerman is entering his 33rd year as the Head Coach at Junction City High School, where he has compiled an overall record of 205-112. Including his previous coaching stops at Phillipsburg and Salina Sacred Heart, Coach Zimmerman’s 237 career wins rank 6th amongst all active Kansas High School coaches. Randall and his wife, Stefanie, have four adult children, Rindi, Ty, Tate and Rylee. His son, Ty Zimmerman, was a 2009 Kansas Shrine Bowl West All-Star before an All-American career at Kansas State University that included becoming the first four-time all-conference player in Wildcat history.
“I am very much looking forward to working with, all involved, to ensure the 2027 Shrine Bowl is a very positive and successful experience for all,” said Randall Zimmerman. “It is a great humbling honor to be chosen to lead the West squad in ’27 from the great coaches involved in ’26. FOR THE KIDS!”
The East team will be led by Osage City High School Head Coach Andrew Gantenbein. Coach Gantenbein will be on the Kansas Shrine Bowl sidelines for the third time and his first as the Head Coach, his previous assistant coach appearances came in 2021 and 2026. The upcoming 2026 season will mark his 18th at Osage City High School, where he has compiled an overall record of 112-61. Coach Gantenbein is Osage City High School’s all-time wins leader while leading the Indians to their first ever sectional championship in 2025. Andrew and his fiancé, Amanda Erickson, have five children, Kaityn, Lucas, Taber, Kayley, and Ava. His son, Lucas Gantenbein, served on the 2026 Kansas Shrine Bowl East staff as a team manager.
“It's a tremendous honor to be selected as the East head coach for the 2027 Shrine Bowl. The Shrine Bowl is such a special event, and I'm very thankful to be part of it once again,” said Andrew Gantenbein. “I look forward to working with some of the best players and coaches in the state of Kansas. We'll all be doing it for a great cause: raising money for the Shriners kids. Go East!”
The East team won the 2026 Kansas Shrine Bowl, 14-7, the second win in the last three years for the East to make the all-time series 32-19-2 in favor of the West. The 2027 game returns to Emporia, where the East has won each of the last three games played at Welch Stadium and five of the seven all-time games played on the campus of Emporia State University. The 2027 Kansas Shrine Bowl will be played at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 26, 2027.
“We are excited to have both Coach Zimmerman and Coach Gantenbein lead our 2027 Kansas Shrine Bowl teams,” said Kansas Shrine Bowl Executive Director, Brice Kesler. “The football coaching accolades for both men are outstanding, but more importantly, these two men are the perfect leaders to represent the cause at the heart of the Kansas Shrine Bowl. Their long, successful, tenures at their respective schools speak volumes for the type of role models they are and our 2027 all-stars will be very fortunate to have an opportunity to be mentored and coached by these two great men.”
To learn more about the Kansas Shrine Bowl and related events visit www.KansasShrineBowl.com. The Shrine Bowl of Kansas Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that produces annual events and related activities, with net proceeds benefiting Shriners Children’s Hospital. Kansas Shrine All-Star Events also include the Kansas Masonic All-State Marching Band Camp, the Kansas Shrine Bowl All-Star Cheer Camp, the KWCA Kansas Shrine Duals and many other game week events. All Kansas Shrine All-Star Events are produced and presented to benefit Shriners Children's. Shriner's Children's, previously Shriners Hospitals for Children, is a world-renowned healthcare system with hospitals, outpatient clinics, ambulatory care centers and outreach locations across the globe. Shriners Children's is dedicated to improving the lives of children every day by providing pediatric specialty care, innovative research, and outstanding teaching programs for medical professionals. Children up to the age of 18 are eligible for care and receive all services in a family-centered environment, regardless of the patients' ability to pay.
East Forces Four Turnovers, Claims 14-7 Victory Over West in 2026 Kansas Shrine Bowl
Game Story by Sports in Kansas, Official Sports Media Partner of the Kansas Shrine Bowl. For more postgame coverage and interviews go to the Sports in Kansas Facebook Page.
2026 Kansas Shrine Bowl Official Stats
EMPORIA — Defense, field position and timely takeaways proved to be the difference Saturday night as the East, under head coach Mike Berg (Wellsville), defeated the West, under head coach Daniel Myears (Mulvane), 14-7 in the 2026 Kansas Shrine Bowl before a crowd of 6,035 at Welch Stadium.
The East struck first midway through the opening quarter when Aiden Scott (Shawnee Heights) connected with Alec Jett (St. James Academy) for a 24-yard touchdown. The two-point conversion was unsuccessful, giving the East a 6-0 lead with 7:03 remaining in the first quarter. That was set up by a 33 yard interception from Quenten Stark (Osage City).
The West answered less than five minutes later with the game’s biggest defensive play. After forcing a turnover deep in East territory, Houston Bowlin (Derby) recovered a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown. Brody Haskell (Augusta) added the extra point to put the West ahead 7-6.
That lead held until the closing minute of the first half.
Following another West turnover, the East needed just four plays to travel 35 yards. East MVP Savion Stone (Washington) connected with Blake Jay (Mill Valley) for a 27-yard touchdown before Stone ran in the two-point conversion to give the East a 14-7 lead with just 35 seconds remaining before halftime.
Neither team found the end zone in the second half as both defenses controlled the final 24 minutes.
Although the West finished with advantages in total offense (277-218), first downs (17-12), rushing yards (136-102) and time of possession (25:03-22:57), turnovers ultimately decided the outcome. The East forced four takeaways, intercepting three passes while recovering a fumble, and turned those opportunities into 14 points.
West MVP Cooper Reves (Salina Central) led all rushers with 91 yards on 14 carries while adding four receptions. Quarterbacks Manny Myers (Mulvane) and Daxton Minton (Great Bend) combined to complete 18 of 33 passes for 141 yards. Jaxson Myers (Salina South) led the West receiving corps with five catches for 58 yards.
Stone earned East MVP honors after throwing the game-winning touchdown and scoring the decisive two-point conversion. Aiden Scott completed 5 of 7 passes for 62 yards and a touchdown, while Carter Hajek (Nemaha Central) paced the East rushing attack with 59 yards. Alec Jett caught four passes for 48 yards and a touchdown, while Blake Jay added four receptions for 37 yards, including the eventual game-winning score.
Defensively, Cael Frazier (Holton) led the East with seven tackles. Andre Johnson (Rossville) and D’yVair McCray (Leavenworth) each added five tackles, while Trai Woodruff (Shawnee Mission Northwest), Quenten Stark (Osage City) and Hayden Heller (Mill Valley) each recorded interceptions.
The West was led defensively by Landon Steven (Bishop Carroll) with six tackles. Sam Harp (Andale) and Jackson Anderson (Hutchinson) each recorded five tackles, while Garrison Vikander (Manhattan) posted four tackles and two tackles for loss. Trenton Kern (Great Bend) forced a fumble that helped set up the West’s lone touchdown.
Game Leaders
Rushing
* Cooper Reves (West, Salina Central) – 14 carries, 91 yards
* Carter Hajek (East, Nemaha Central) – 11 carries, 59 yards
* Zane Farney (West, Sterling) – 7 carries, 26 yards
* Savion Stone (East, Washington) – 5 carries, 21 yards
Passing
* Manny Myers (West, Mulvane) – 12 of 21, 98 yards
* Daxton Minton (West, Great Bend) – 6 of 12, 43 yards
* Aiden Scott (East, Shawnee Heights) – 5 of 7, 62 yards, TD
* Savion Stone (East, Washington) – 6 of 7, 54 yards, TD
Receiving
* Jaxson Myers (West, Salina South) – 5 receptions, 58 yards
* Alec Jett (East, St. James Academy) – 4 receptions, 48 yards, TD
* Blake Jay (East, Mill Valley) – 4 receptions, 37 yards, TD
* Cooper Reves (West, Salina Central) – 4 receptions, 24 yards
Defensive Leaders
East
* Cael Frazier (Holton) – 7 tackles
* Andre Johnson (Rossville) – 5 tackles
* D’yVair McCray (Leavenworth) – 5 tackles
* Trai Woodruff (Shawnee Mission Northwest) – Interception
* Quenten Stark (Osage City) – Interception (33-yard return) along w/ 3 tackles.
West
* Landon Steven (Bishop Carroll) – 6 tackles
* Sam Harp (Andale) – 5 tackles
* Jackson Anderson (Hutchinson) – 5 tackles
* Garrison Vikander (Manhattan) – 4 tackles, 2 TFL
* Trenton Kern (Great Bend) – Forced fumble
Team Statistics
First Downs: West 17, East 12
Total Offense: West 277, East 218
Rushing: West 136, East 102
Passing: West 141, East 116
Turnovers: West 4, East 2
Time of Possession: West 25:03, East 22:57
2026 Kansas Shrine Bowl Official Stats
EMPORIA — Defense, field position and timely takeaways proved to be the difference Saturday night as the East, under head coach Mike Berg (Wellsville), defeated the West, under head coach Daniel Myears (Mulvane), 14-7 in the 2026 Kansas Shrine Bowl before a crowd of 6,035 at Welch Stadium.
The East struck first midway through the opening quarter when Aiden Scott (Shawnee Heights) connected with Alec Jett (St. James Academy) for a 24-yard touchdown. The two-point conversion was unsuccessful, giving the East a 6-0 lead with 7:03 remaining in the first quarter. That was set up by a 33 yard interception from Quenten Stark (Osage City).
The West answered less than five minutes later with the game’s biggest defensive play. After forcing a turnover deep in East territory, Houston Bowlin (Derby) recovered a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown. Brody Haskell (Augusta) added the extra point to put the West ahead 7-6.
That lead held until the closing minute of the first half.
Following another West turnover, the East needed just four plays to travel 35 yards. East MVP Savion Stone (Washington) connected with Blake Jay (Mill Valley) for a 27-yard touchdown before Stone ran in the two-point conversion to give the East a 14-7 lead with just 35 seconds remaining before halftime.
Neither team found the end zone in the second half as both defenses controlled the final 24 minutes.
Although the West finished with advantages in total offense (277-218), first downs (17-12), rushing yards (136-102) and time of possession (25:03-22:57), turnovers ultimately decided the outcome. The East forced four takeaways, intercepting three passes while recovering a fumble, and turned those opportunities into 14 points.
West MVP Cooper Reves (Salina Central) led all rushers with 91 yards on 14 carries while adding four receptions. Quarterbacks Manny Myers (Mulvane) and Daxton Minton (Great Bend) combined to complete 18 of 33 passes for 141 yards. Jaxson Myers (Salina South) led the West receiving corps with five catches for 58 yards.
Stone earned East MVP honors after throwing the game-winning touchdown and scoring the decisive two-point conversion. Aiden Scott completed 5 of 7 passes for 62 yards and a touchdown, while Carter Hajek (Nemaha Central) paced the East rushing attack with 59 yards. Alec Jett caught four passes for 48 yards and a touchdown, while Blake Jay added four receptions for 37 yards, including the eventual game-winning score.
Defensively, Cael Frazier (Holton) led the East with seven tackles. Andre Johnson (Rossville) and D’yVair McCray (Leavenworth) each added five tackles, while Trai Woodruff (Shawnee Mission Northwest), Quenten Stark (Osage City) and Hayden Heller (Mill Valley) each recorded interceptions.
The West was led defensively by Landon Steven (Bishop Carroll) with six tackles. Sam Harp (Andale) and Jackson Anderson (Hutchinson) each recorded five tackles, while Garrison Vikander (Manhattan) posted four tackles and two tackles for loss. Trenton Kern (Great Bend) forced a fumble that helped set up the West’s lone touchdown.
Game Leaders
Rushing
* Cooper Reves (West, Salina Central) – 14 carries, 91 yards
* Carter Hajek (East, Nemaha Central) – 11 carries, 59 yards
* Zane Farney (West, Sterling) – 7 carries, 26 yards
* Savion Stone (East, Washington) – 5 carries, 21 yards
Passing
* Manny Myers (West, Mulvane) – 12 of 21, 98 yards
* Daxton Minton (West, Great Bend) – 6 of 12, 43 yards
* Aiden Scott (East, Shawnee Heights) – 5 of 7, 62 yards, TD
* Savion Stone (East, Washington) – 6 of 7, 54 yards, TD
Receiving
* Jaxson Myers (West, Salina South) – 5 receptions, 58 yards
* Alec Jett (East, St. James Academy) – 4 receptions, 48 yards, TD
* Blake Jay (East, Mill Valley) – 4 receptions, 37 yards, TD
* Cooper Reves (West, Salina Central) – 4 receptions, 24 yards
Defensive Leaders
East
* Cael Frazier (Holton) – 7 tackles
* Andre Johnson (Rossville) – 5 tackles
* D’yVair McCray (Leavenworth) – 5 tackles
* Trai Woodruff (Shawnee Mission Northwest) – Interception
* Quenten Stark (Osage City) – Interception (33-yard return) along w/ 3 tackles.
West
* Landon Steven (Bishop Carroll) – 6 tackles
* Sam Harp (Andale) – 5 tackles
* Jackson Anderson (Hutchinson) – 5 tackles
* Garrison Vikander (Manhattan) – 4 tackles, 2 TFL
* Trenton Kern (Great Bend) – Forced fumble
Team Statistics
First Downs: West 17, East 12
Total Offense: West 277, East 218
Rushing: West 136, East 102
Passing: West 141, East 116
Turnovers: West 4, East 2
Time of Possession: West 25:03, East 22:57
Additional News Stories
The Shrine Bowl of Kansas, Inc is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity that produces annual events and related activities with net proceeds benefiting Shriners Children's. The Shrine Bowl of Kansas, Inc has existed since 1974 and has sent $3.36M to Shriners Hospitals for Children. The flagship event has been the Kansas Shrine Bowl, an East vs. West all-star senior football game that began in 1974. Kansas Shrine All-Star Events also include the Kansas Masonic All-State Marching Band Camp, the Kansas Shrine Bowl All-Star Cheer Camp, the KWCA Kansas Shrine Duals and many other game week events. All Kansas Shrine All-Star Events are produced and presented to benefit Shriners Children's. Shriner's Children's, previously Shriners Hospitals for Children, is a world-renowned healthcare system with hospitals, outpatient clinics, ambulatory care centers and outreach locations across the globe. Shriners Children's is dedicated to improving the lives of children every day by providing pediatric specialty care, innovative research, and outstanding teaching programs for medical professionals. Children up to the age of 18 are eligible for care and receive all services in a family-centered environment, regardless of the patients' ability to pay.
#ForTheKids #MoreThanAGame
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