HASTINGS, Neb. – From all the way out in the panhandle to southeast Nebraska, the best 8-man football athletes from all across the state are aiming to get one more win in their high school careers.

Dozens of players are in Hastings this week preparing for the 48th annual Sertoma 8-man football all-star game which pits the West team against the East team.

Of course, there’s no lack of talent across the rosters of each team.

"There hasn't been any surprises, but wow coaching these guys is so much easier because they can just go and do it," said West team Head Coach Tom Thramer of Summerland. "Plug and play, they can go do it. Lot of fun being around these guys."

Thramer says the game knowledge these guys already possess makes his job pretty easy, and keeps practices running smooth. 

"These guys, it doesn't take them very long to grasp new concepts, new defense, new offense," said Thramer. "It's a lot of fun working with this talented group of kids."

The West squad is led by some high flying offensive players, including Arapahoe Running Back William Cacy, who ran for 55 touchdowns in his high school career, and Sandy Creek Quarterback Ethan Shaw who led the Cougars to a D1 State Championship this past fall.

Both players, like many others this week have already played in at least one all-star classic this summer, and they’re not just focused on winning this Saturday.

"Win or lose, you're not gonna remember the score, you're gonna remember the week you had with the guys," said Shaw. "I feel like that's the biggest thing for us to just go out there and have fun, and play as a team."

"Biggest thing obviously is to win, no one wants to lose so we came here to win," said Cacy. "But another thing is to come out and make friends, people in 10 years you're going to talk to and still have those friendships down the road."

The West squad will look to extend their three game win streak against the East squad this Saturday at 6:00 p.m. at Hastings College’s Lloyd Wilson Field. The game will be broadcast on ESPN Tri-Cities. 

Stay tuned for NCN's feature of the East team on Thursday.