More than a gameWhen Trevor Donarski pulls on a helmet and pads at the Wyoming Shrine Bowl this Saturday, chances are he'll be doing so for the final time. A wrestling standout, Donarski will continue his athletic career on the mats at Mesa State University next fall. “It's a cool feeling to get to play one last football game,” said Trevor. “I got my pads the other day and it made me miss football again.”Gavin and Galen Mills can afford to be a little less sentimental. With both brothers choosing to continue their gridiron careers — Gavin at the Air Force Academy and Galen at NAIA powerhouse Carroll College — Saturday's Shrine Bowl marks a transition point between their prep and college careers.“It's kind of like a last hurrah,” said Gavin. “It'll be fun to play together (with Galen) one last time and with Trevor, because he's a great athlete.”All three will represent Powell High School in the 2009 version of the Wyoming Shrine Bowl. The game is an annual all-star event breaking the state into North and South teams while raising funds to benefit Shriners Children's Hospitals, a national network of medical facilities that provides no-cost burn and orthopedic care to children.Powell High School is one of just a handful of schools that will be represented by three players in this year's contest, an honor not lost on the players.“I really thought we had some other guys on the team that could have played in this game,” said Galen. “It's an honor that we were selected and that we'll represent Powell.”“It's always a compliment to be selected for the Shrine Bowl,” said Powell High School football coach Jim Stringer, who has been involved as a coach in the event on three occasions. “I'm proud of what it says about our overall program.”Those selected to participate in the 2009 Shrine Bowl had to submit applications for the game. The respective coaching staffs of the North and South teams then met to select their rosters from among those applying to participate in the game. Players reported to Casper on Saturday for a week of two-a-day practices and preparation leading up to the June 13 game. This year's North team is coached by Cody's Cris Williams.“I'm way excited to play with the best guys on other teams,” said Galen. “It'll be different, but you know some of the guys you'll be playing with from attending football camps.”Both Donarski and Galen Mills expect to see the bulk of their action on defense this week. Gavin looks to play primarily at wide receiver for the North. “It will be interesting,” said Gavin Mills. “When you've got the best players from the state, you can have a more versatile offense.”In addition to practicing for the game, Shrine Bowl participants get to sample some of the pageantry associated with the game. Players attend a Friday night banquet and also take part in a Saturday morning parade. They'll also get a chance to interact with the people the game benefits by touring and visiting with patients at the Salt Lake City Shriners Hospital. “That's what the game is all about is getting money for that,” said Donarski. “We were just thinking about that last night,” said Gavin. “Both Galen and I are interested in going into medicine, so it's an honor to support and contribute to a cause like that.”That cause will fade to the background on Saturday, replaced with a good-natured rivalry with Wyoming's South all-stars. The South holds a slim 17-16 lead in the 35-year series with two previous games ending in a tie. “This will be sort of a farewell to high school sports for all of us,” said Galen. “You just want to go out, have some fun and do your best.”

More than a game

When Trevor Donarski pulls on a helmet and pads at the Wyoming Shrine Bowl this Saturday, chances are he'll be doing so for the final time. A wrestling standout, Donarski will continue his athletic career on the mats at Mesa State University next fall.

“It's a cool feeling to get to play one last football game,” said Trevor. “I got my pads the other day and it made me miss football again.”

Gavin and Galen Mills can afford to be a little less sentimental. With both brothers choosing to continue their gridiron careers — Gavin at the Air Force Academy and Galen at NAIA powerhouse Carroll College — Saturday's Shrine Bowl marks a transition point between their prep and college careers.

“It's kind of like a last hurrah,” said Gavin. “It'll be fun to play together (with Galen) one last time and with Trevor, because he's a great athlete.”

All three will represent Powell High School in the 2009 version of the Wyoming Shrine Bowl. The game is an annual all-star event breaking the state into North and South teams while raising funds to benefit Shriners Children's Hospitals, a national network of medical facilities that provides no-cost burn and orthopedic care to children.

Powell High School is one of just a handful of schools that will be represented by three players in this year's contest, an honor not lost on the players.

“I really thought we had some other guys on the team that could have played in this game,” said Galen. “It's an honor that we were selected and that we'll represent Powell.”

“It's always a compliment to be selected for the Shrine Bowl,” said Powell High School football coach Jim Stringer, who has been involved as a coach in the event on three occasions. “I'm proud of what it says about our overall program.”

Those selected to participate in the 2009 Shrine Bowl had to submit applications for the game. The respective coaching staffs of the North and South teams then met to select their rosters from among those applying to participate in the game.

Players reported to Casper on Saturday for a week of two-a-day practices and preparation leading up to the June 13 game. This year's North team is coached by Cody's Cris Williams.

“I'm way excited to play with the best guys on other teams,” said Galen.

“It'll be different, but you know some of the guys you'll be playing with from attending football camps.”

Both Donarski and Galen Mills expect to see the bulk of their action on defense this week. Gavin looks to play primarily at wide receiver for the North.

“It will be interesting,” said Gavin Mills. “When you've got the best players from the state, you can have a more versatile offense.”

In addition to practicing for the game, Shrine Bowl participants get to sample some of the pageantry associated with the game. Players attend a Friday night banquet and also take part in a Saturday morning parade. They'll also get a chance to interact with the people the game benefits by touring and visiting with patients at the Salt Lake City Shriners Hospital.

“That's what the game is all about is getting money for that,” said Donarski.

“We were just thinking about that last night,” said Gavin. “Both Galen and I are interested in going into medicine, so it's an honor to support and contribute to a cause like that.”

That cause will fade to the background on Saturday, replaced with a good-natured rivalry with Wyoming's South all-stars. The South holds a slim 17-16 lead in the 35-year series with two previous games ending in a tie.

“This will be sort of a farewell to high school sports for all of us,” said Galen. “You just want to go out, have some fun and do your best.”