Erik Knaack and Ross Randall

Summer is drawing to a close, and before we close the book on the previous year’s seniors there is one more game to be played.

Two area athletes are set to play in the 2017 Iowa Shrine Bowl, as Gladbrook-Reinbeck’s Erik Knaack plays for the North team and West Marshall’s Ross Randall plays for the South.

Knaack was apart of a two-time defending state champion squad at G-R, as he played a pivotal role on the outside for the Rebels, catching 28 balls at receiver and going for 523 yards. He also scored six touchdowns for G-R, including a 72-yard touchdown scamper. Knaack also had four interceptions on the year — including a 34-yard touchdown return — and three fumble recoveries, two of which went for touchdowns.

Randall led the Trojans to a winning record, leading the defense in takeaways with five interceptions and two fumble recoveries. Randall also was second for West Marshall in tackles with 55 solo tackles and 45 assists. He also got it done offensively, hauling in 28 receptions for 551 yards and five touchdowns, all second on the team.

Knaack was first-team all-state in Class A and Randall was first-team all-state in Class 2A on last season’s Iowa Newspaper Association all-state football teams.

Also participating in the Shrine Bowl is West Marshall head football coach Cody Hackett, who is an assistant for the South team under head coach Paul Patterson of Norwalk.

The game is set for Saturday at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls, with doors opening at 2 p.m. and kickoff slated for 4 p.m.