McCullough, Orness in Shrine Bowl
Humboldt's Kaleb McCullough (left) and Will Orness after competing in the Shrine Bowl All-Star game on July 22 at Cedar Falls. Photo courtesy Craig Orness.
Kaleb McCullough and Will Orness went out a winner.
The pair, 2023 Humboldt High School graduates and former Wildcat football all-state performers, both saw action last Saturday in the 51st annual North-South Iowa Shrine Bowl All-Star game on July 22 inside the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls.
Orness played in all four quarters at wide receiver for the North while McCullough played right offensive guard in the second and fourth quarters as the North went on to win, 29-15 over the South. Team rosters were comprised of senior class players from across the state.
“My Shrine Bowl experience was amazing. I made memories that I will cherish for the rest of my life,” Orness said.
“The biggest highlight for me was finally getting a win in the UNI-Dome. I’ve played there twice before and lost both games so it was nice finally winning,” Orness said, referring to Humboldt’s 2021 and 2022 seasons, which both ended in a loss in the Class 3A state semifinals inside the UNI-Dome.
The 265-pound McCullough, who will take his talents to Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, MO, had a similar experience to Orness.
“I loved the experience. I played right guard and played in the second and fourth quarters. My highlight was probably the 18-play, 80-yard drive we put together where we were just running the ball at will,” McCullough said.
“It was a great experience. Now I’ll get ready to report to fall training camp on Aug. 6,” McCullough said.
A list of area players and coaches from Humboldt County and surrounding schools who have participated in the game in the past are listed below.
HUMBOLDT
Kaleb McCullough, 2023. Will Orness, 2023. Caden Matson, 2022. Jerry Davis, 1973. Scott Jensen, 1977. Bruce Reimers, 1979. Steve Reimers, 1981. Scott Madison, 1985. Dan Carver, 1987. Jason Felker, 1988.
Doyle Miller, 1989. Tony Hubbard, 1990. Ryan Gidel, 1991. Tony Ersland, 1992. Andy Pattee, 1993. Michael Janssen, 1995. Ryan Harklau, 1996. Josh Anderson, 1997. Michael Clay, 1998. Kit Curry, 1999.
Tom Conlon, 2000. Preston Peterson, 2006. Tyler Nielsen, 2007. Bryan Larson, 2013. Nikko Wheeler, 2014. Brady Ross, 2015. Jake Stockdale, 2016. Drew Thomas, 2017. Jamison Heinz, 2020. Caden Matson, 2022.
TWIN RIVERS and TWIN RIVER VALLEY
Greg Lempke, Twin Rivers, 1976. Randy Bakken, Twin Rivers, 1980. Jay Newton, Twin River Valley, 1992.
CORWITH-WESLEY and CORWITH-WESLEY-LU VERNE
Sam Rasmussen, CW, 1977. Joe Studer, CWL, 2008.
AREA COACHES
Dan McClannahan, Humboldt, assistant, 1991.
Dan McClannahan, Humboldt, head coach in 1997.
Greg Thomas, Galva-Holstein, assistant in 1999.
Greg Thomas, Humboldt, head coach in 2017.
Derrick Elman, Humboldt, assistant coach in 2022.
Note: Greg Thomas was also a player on the South squad in 1986, representing Tri County-Thornburg.
