HASTINGS, Neb. — As East Team head coach AJ Burki takes the field at the Sertoma 8-Man Football All-Star Game, it will be a player who isn’t at the field that’s at the top of his mind.

Burki, the head coach at Wisner-Pilger high school, selected his own running back Hunter Palmer for the all-star game roster in the spring. Tragically, Palmer died after collapsing at a track practice in May. 

“If he was here, everybody would know him, everybody would be tickled by him," Burki said. "He was just that kind of kid that had an enthusiasm and an energy that just kind of bubbled over.”

Palmer is still listed in the game’s program and on the team’s roster at Burki’s request. Palmer’s family will be at the game Saturday night in Hastings and will receive his game jersey and medal.

“That way everybody can recognize all of the hard work and dedication he put forth and just know how much of a great kid he was, more than anything,” Burki said.

The game kicks off at 6:00 p.m. at Hastings College and you can listen on ESPN Tri-Cities.