March 28, 2024

PCM’s Cummings to play in annual shrine bowl

The 2019 Iowa Shrine All-Star Football Game will give two area athletes one final high school game to compete in.

But according to Baxter football coach Rob Luther, the most memorable part of the week is not what happens on the field.

“The things that he doesn’t know about yet are what’s most unbelievable — the friendships he will make, the giving back,” Luther said. “Football is pretty minor in the whole scheme of this. It’s really about the other stuff.”

The he Luther is referring to is Baxter senior lineman Will Clapper. He will be joined on the South squad by PCM senior Wes Cummings.

The “other stuff” Luther speaks of is a week of fun, camaraderie and giving back to patients of the Shriner’s Children’s Hospital.

Cummings will report to camp on the campus of UNI on July 14 with the rest of the players who are invited in the game.

The South and North teams both include 46 players from around the state.

The dividing line for selection of players is Highway 30.

“It’s an honor to be picked and to just be able to be around all these really good football players,” said Cummings, who will play running back for the South team after setting multiple rushing records for the Mustangs. “The competition will be awesome.”

Practices begin on July 14, there’s a movie night on July 16 and they spend a day at Lost Island Water Park on July 17. The week concludes with a hog roast on July 18, a mini camp with the Shriner Children’s Hospital patients and an honor banquet on July 19.

The football game is at 4 p.m. on July 20 inside the UNI-Dome. There is a parade at 9:30 a.m. that day, too.

Invitation letters to the football players went out in December. Tryouts to be an Iowa Shrine Bowl cheerleader took place on Jan. 26-27.

Media days around the state started in early March. Cummings took part in a media day at the Za Ga Zig Shrine in Altoona on April 2.

Cummings is a three-time all-state running back for PCM. He led the Mustangs in rushing in each of the last three seasons and was a key offensive piece to the 2018 Class 2A state title team.

“There are so many good players on my own team that could have been picked and done just as well as me,” Cummings said. “I’m not huge, I’m not tall and I’m not bulky looking. But I think when I get on the field, it will be obvious that PCM and Class 2A football has what it takes to compete with anyone.”

Cummings is looking forward to playing in a game that many large-school kids compete in. He is hoping to show fans around the state that small-school kids can play football, too.

Cummings will be joined on the South squad by Clapper, Pella’s Ryan Gustafson, Dowling Catholic’s Jayson Murray, Pella Christian’s Nathan DeBruin and Noah Treimer, Williamsburg’s Gage Hazen-Fabor, East Marshall’s Noah Bandstra and Van Meter’s Chris Reames.

West Branch’s Butch Pedersen is the head coach of the South squad.

West Lyon’s Jay Rozeboom will be the head coach of the North squad. Some notable players on his roster include Fort Dodge’s Drake Miller and Roland-Story’s Ben Chelsvig.

“I could find a future roommate or future friend in college,” Cummings said. “I am looking forward to the experience.”

The 2019 Iowa Shrine All-Star Football Game will be the 47th edition of the event. The annual event has raised $2,680,000 for the Shriner’s Hospital for Children. Last year’s game raised $80,000, and this year’s goal is $100,000.