SIX-MAN FOOTBALL ALL-STATE GAME SATURDAY IN HUGO
by Kerry Sherman
Many of the top senior (now graduated) six-man football players across the state will be getting together in Hugo on Saturday for the 2023 Colorado 6-Man All-State Football Game. This is the sixth edition of the game that puts the spotlight on the stand-out players from the smallest classification. Prior to the start of the game, six-man had been together with eight-man, but a split allowed both classes to give more players the honor of being showcased.
Justin Kerns is in his fourth year as the director of the game, and the former head coach of the Prairie Mustangs oversees all of the behind-the-scenes things that allow the game to happen. That includes tons of paperwork, which this year came from 57 players. Kerns also has the task of lining up coaches for the game, a location for the game, and all of the game day management.
Kerns is quick to acknowledge Kenny Book, the football coach and AD at Genoa-Hugo High School, and the administration and maintenance crew from GHHS for all of the work they do in hosting the game. Doug Ramirez and his crew have once again volunteered to officiate the game, traveling from the Greeley/Fort Collins area to make sure that the players have an experienced crew working the game.
Kerns also gave special recognition to Deb Atwater, who helps with a lot of those behind-the-scenes tasks. As Kerns noted, “she puts up with my disorganization.”
Seniors who receive all-conference honors are selected for participation in the game. Most of the players who are selected mention it being a longtime dream of theirs, and how excited they are to have one more opportunity to play the game.
Offering their time to coach the North Team are Paul Griese and Tim Hunt from Arickaree, while Garyk Ontai and Jesse Reece from Cheraw will lead the South Team. Griese and Hunt ran the all-state game in the first two years of its existence, and also have experience in directing the contest when it was the 6-8 All-State game.
The North Team is practicing Thursday and Friday in Akron, while the South was looking at having its practices in La Junta on the same dates. Players and coaches will make their way to Hugo on Saturday for the game.
Kerns and co-director Kerry Sherman have made plans to have the game live-streamed on the Colorado 6-Man All-State Football Game page on Facebook, so that those who are interested in watching will have a free option to do so. Fans can also check out profiles of all players selected on that page, as the players have been showcased over the last seven weeks.
Saturday’s kick-off is slated for 10am, with the players and their high school coaches being recognized prior to the opening kick. The field is located at 25 Pirate Lane in Hugo. There will be a $5 per vehicle admission charge at the gate. Proceeds will go towards post secondary scholarships for the five top 6-man players each year. That is one player from each division.
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