For a week, Micah Hackbart of Seward got to practice with some of the other top football players in the state.
The North and South teams met June 3 at the University of Nebraska at Kearney for the annual Shrine Classic football game. The all-star contest draws attention to the Shriners, which help youngsters with disabilities get the treatment they need.
The South team got the win 17-7 over the North.
“It was one of the most fun experiences I’ve been part of,” Hackbart said. “I was excited to meet the top players from all over.”
Each team has an honorary captain who has benefited from the Shriners. Emberlyn Hemmer of Lincoln was the South team’s honorary captain. Her legs stop at her upper thighs because of Caudal Regression Syndrome.
The game started late and waited out about two and a half hours of lightning delays.
“We just talked for most of it,” Hackbart said. “We came out with more enthusiasm.”
Because the game started so late, officials used the running clock and had just a one-minute halftime. That didn’t hurt Hackbart’s feelings.
“I don’t like halftime,” he said with a grin. “I’m glad we were able to play the whole game.”
The players played through rain, as well, which Hackbart didn’t mind. He said the ball stayed surprisingly dry.
Hackbart roomed with Adonis Hutchinson from Lincoln High. Both were receivers on the South team.
“We caught a lot of balls in practice,” he said.
Hackbart led the receiving corps in the game with four catches for 26 yards.
Hackbart learned he’d been selected for the game in January when he received a package from the Nebraska Shrine Bowl in the mail. The coach later called him to talk about the position he would play.
“There were over 450 nominated,” Hackbart said. “It was a pretty cool experience.”
He was familiar with a couple names, including Jack Allen of Aurora. A lot of players were from Class A schools, and Hackbart didn’t know them. He didn’t know Hayden Frank from Malcolm, either.
The week was filled with practice and team bonding activities, he said. On Sunday (May 28), the players arrived at UNK, met their teammates and went through two practices.
May 29 was the Beyond the Field experience where the players get to meet some of the Shriners Hospital patients. The patients and players competed in different challenges, and the patients shared their stories.
Tuesday, besides practice, included bowling. Wednesday night was a pool party, and Thursday was spent driving go-karts and playing laser tag.
“It was pretty competitive,” Hackbart said, grinning.
Friday night was the annual banquet where coaches hand out awards to the players. Jerseys and helmets are also auctioned off, he said.
Saturday was game day, which includes a parade and a chance to trade helmet stickers with teammates.
“Tuesday to Friday there was not much sleep,” Hackbart admitted.
He said hanging out with and getting to know the other players after practices was a high point of the week. The game was another highlight, especially getting the win.
Hackbart said learning the offensive system wasn’t too difficult. It was just a matter of learning new terms for what he already did.
“It took four days to get it down,” he said.
It was similar to the system Seward High uses, with a lot of run/pass option.
Overall, Hackbart said it was a great week. Most of his family and some friends were able to attend, thanks to tickets purchased by Hughes Brothers. He said he got to keep his jersey and he has his helmet, covered with stickers from his Shrine Bowl teamamtes.
Hackbart will play football at Wayne State College this fall.
