The Shrine Bowl airs live on News Channel Nebraska starting at 3:30 p.m. CT from UNK's Cope Stadium. 

KEARNEY, Neb. - The Shrine Bowl brings together some of Nebraska's best high school football players, and for the North squad, it's also a celebration of statewide unity.

Whether it's from the Panhandle, the Northwest, or the Plains, or even an eight-man program, the players on the North team are making the most of their chance to shine in one of the state's biggest football stages.

For several of the players, it's proof that talent exists in smaller communities across Nebraska, in addition to the Metro programs.

"It's a great honor especially coming from an eight-man school, you know sometimes we get overlooked, but it should be noted that it's still football, it's still the same game that I've loved and played my whole life. It's an honor and I'm glad to do it with my buddies," said Stanton High's Barrett Wilke. 

"It feels really, really good, especially being from out West, where not many of these kids are from, only about two or three of us, so bringing some West kids to this Shrine Bowl is pretty special," said Landon Riddle who was representing Sidney. 

Others are also soaking in every moment, making the end of a decorated high school career with several state titles, and a new chapter ahead.

"Playing with all these other guys is awesome, getting to know them, playing with different guys from all different classes is kind of a unique thing. Getting to understand what it's like for them to play high school football is different, I'll say that, and it's pretty cool," said Hayden Kelley of Norfolk Catholic. 

"I'm meeting kids from towns that I've never heard of, and it's just crazy how one of these kids that I meet this week might be one of my best friends in the future. Meeting kids from Sidney, Mitchell, Gering you don't hear about that down in Stanton, where you're nine, ten hours away, and it's just fun." said Wilke.

The biggest takeaway for many was the mission behind the game. Players got the chance to meet children held by the Shriner's Hospitals, and they say that puts everything into perspective.

"Meeting the Shrine kids is a great thing, supporting the Shrine Hospital is a big thing as well, they're great people, I've gotten to meet them, and it's just a great thing here," said Kelley. 

Barrett Wilke agreed, saying "I'm so grateful that I was born healthy, but not everyone else is as fortunate as me, and the Shriners just helps them with all that, so it's really a sight to behold just seeing what they do for the kids around the state and around the country."

From Stanton to Sidney, these players are proof that football can connect communities across Nebraska, and that for the North squad, this game is something they'll carry with them for the rest of their lives.

The North team kicks off against the South squad this Saturday in Kearney.