KEARNEY, NE — The Nebraska Shrine Bowl can feel like a giant puzzle.

Organizers sort through entertainment and charity, coaches construct the rosters, and players learn a new playbook and new faces. South Team head coach Brett Froendt of Omaha Westside says piecing together all the parts is rewarding. 

“Let their personalities come out, because that’s the fun of it too, is to learn about each kid and what they bring to the table both in personality and in talent. And also keep the mission in mind, we’re here for the kids. It’s kind of a fun puzzle to put together but it’s also a great time.”

Froendt is hitting the field for the final time on Saturday. After 29 years coaching at Westside, including 13 seasons as head coach, he retired this year. He’s preaching a familiar message to his last group of players: execution.

“Playing at their hometown is one way, but coming here is playing a different way. If they buy into that and everybody plays together within the system, you’ll see a really good, solid football game.”

Tim Johnk of Creighton Prep is coaching the North Team and knows something about winning the Shrine Bowl. He won it as a player and as an assistant coach. The game has changed venues, schedule and roster size since he suited up in 1987, but the mission has remained.

“The game is still the Shrine Bowl game. We’re still here for the same cause and the same effort in terms of trying raise money for Shriners Hospitals.”

He says his group wants to win but that’s just one of the goals. 

“I want our kids to go out and have a lot of fun. I want them to go out and really compete hard. I want them to be great representatives of their schools, their communities, where they’re coming from.”

Both coaches want their players to leave smiling. Froendt says he might even flash a grin during his last hurrah.

“It’s another football game, I’m going to have a lot of fun, a lot of smiles. I don’t usually have smiles during a football game, but I will Saturday because I know it’s going to be fun.”