Cooper Reves and Jesus Delgado of Salina Central, along with Jaxon Myers and Brody Chambers from Salina South and Southeast of Saline, will play for the West team in this weekend’s Kansas Shrine Bowl. The Salina-area players were among those joining training and practices ahead of the game, set for 7 p.m. Saturday at Emporia State’s Welch Stadium.
Reves and Delgado said the week brings them one final chance to share the field together, after Central’s run that included a 12-1 season and its first state title since 2005. Myers and Delgado, meanwhile, described the game as a rare stretch where rivals can connect and build camaraderie, before returning to competitive camps later in the Jayhawk Conference.
Behind the hometown unity is a slate of accomplishments: Reves, an all-state running back, rushed for 2,814 yards and 32 touchdowns as a senior and had a major role in Central’s 51-34 state championship win. Myers produced 871 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns in nine games for Salina South, while Delgado led Central’s defense with 145 tackles, 21.5 for loss, and an interception. Chambers, who helped Southeast of Saline finish as Class 2A runner-up, recorded 85 tackles—including 17 for loss—and will continue football at Grand View University. The East and West teams convened in Emporia before practices in Hutchinson and Ottawa.