Earning a spot amongst the state’s top high school football players, running back senior Connor Sams, and offensive lineman senior Liam Norton, have been selected to play this summer in the 68th annual Nebraska Shrine Bowl. The game will be held on June 6 at the Ron and Carol Cope Stadium at the University of Nebraska-Kearney.
The Shrine Bowl is an annual all-star football game played by graduating seniors from around the state since its inception in 1958. The Nebraska Shrine Bowl, Inc. hosts this football game to honor the state’s best senior football players and outstanding coaches, with all proceeds benefiting Shriners Hospitals for Children around the United States.
Both Sams and Norton’s resumes are stacked with accolades that led to their nominations and drafts.
Sams, who ran for 2,193 yards on 239 carries 9.17 per carry was named the MaxPreps Offensive Player of the Year and the MaxPreps Overall Player of the Year for the season. Norton is ranked in the top four in Division B and is first for sacks in B District 2 with 5.5 sacks in the 2025 season. Additionally, he had 30 solo tackles and 29 assists. With Sams’s commitment to play football at the Air Force Academy and Norton’s commitment to the University of Nebraska at Kearney, both athletes are set up for post-high school success as they join the ranks of Nebraska Shrine Bowl players.
Throughout its 68-year history, many Nebraska high school football standouts who participated in the Nebraska Shrine Bowl have gone on to achieve success, such as: Rex Burkhead, a running back a who had a long NFL career, including time with the New England Patriots, Ndamukong Suh, a defensive tackle who finished his career with the Philadelphia Eagles, Maliek Collins a defensive linemen who is still active in the NFL with the Cleveland Browns and many more who’ve reached post-college success.
In November, each high school football coach was able to nominate five athletes they believed would benefit these state teams and submit those names to a draft for the game. The Shrine Bowl coaches then selected the athletes they wanted to play in the bowl game.
“All five players that we nominated had great character, leadership and play on the field,” Gretna East Head Coach Justin Haberman said.
In January, after player submissions, each athlete, if chosen, was sent a letter in the mail recognizing their induction to playing in the bowl game.
“I felt amazing and so happy when I got the letter in the mail,” Sams said. “It is such an honor to play in this game because of how hard I’ve worked for this, and I have been recognized for my accomplishments.”
After being drafted, the players were separated into two teams, the North and South teams. Historically, if there is more than one athlete drafted from the same school, they are put on the same team. Norton and Sams will play for the South team. Leading up to the game, the two, along with athletes from other schools, will spend a week in Kearney practicing and scrimmaging before game day.
Every year, new head coaches and staff are picked to represent the two teams. This year, Bennington Head Coach Kameron Lenhart will lead the North team. For the past five years, Lenhart has led Bennington to three Class B State Championship titles and major postseason success. Seward Head Coach Jamie Opfer will coach the South team. Seward has shown consistent postseason success as well, under the leadership of Opfer after being named District Champions this last season.
“I feel so grateful to have such a great coach be able to coach me,” Sams said. “ I am looking forward to meeting him because I know how good a man he is.”
Sams and Norton are the third and fourth Griffins to be selected to play in the Shrine Bowl Game. Alumni defensive back Grayson Fisher (‘25) and lineman Frank Thomas (‘25) were both drafted to play in last year’s bowl game.
“Those guys were all great athletes, and it’s such an honor for me and Liam to both be a part of that, especially for our school,” Sams said.
Norton echoed Sams’s feelings.
“It’s an honor to follow in their footsteps and carry on their legacy,” Norton said.
Currently, neither the rosters for the upcoming game nor the tickets have been updated for the 2026 season. Last year, the rosters for the 2025 teams were announced on February 16, so the 2026 rosters should be announced soon.
