Washington (Iowa) coach, player picked for Shrine Bowl

WASHINGTON, Iowa — One of the biggest honors in Iowa high school football is the opportunity to participate in the annual Shrine Bowl game.

The 44th edition, set for July 23, will include Washington (Iowa) Coach Garrison Carter and senior Jack Giardino. They will now join an elite group from Washington who have been chosen to participate in the event.

Carter and Giardino are looking forward to the event, which will take place at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. While it is an honor to play in the game and compete one last time as high school seniors, the proceeds raised from the event go toward helping sick children. The Shrine Bowl raises money for the Shriners Hospital for Children.

This game provides the players a great opportunity to play against college-level athletes, but this game is honestly being played for the kids.

'The Shrine Bowl is widely regarded as the premier all-star game in the state of Iowa,' Carter said. 'Having the opportunity to be part of it is a tremendous honor. I am extremely excited to represent our school, community and all of southern Iowa in the game.'

Carter has won a lot of big games in his career and has a lot of great moments, but the Shrine Bowl will stand out for him.

'I have been part of some really big football games and won numerous coach of the year and other individual awards,' he said. 'However, this is by far the biggest honor of my coaching career. The Shrine Bowl is so important for so many reasons. I am extremely humbled by the opportunity to be part of this game.'

While the game is an all-star game, Carter, who will serve as the offensive coordinator, also is using it as a chance to further his coaching ability.

'I am actually using this game as an opportunity to work on implementing some new things I want to try at Washington next season,' he said. 'I am treating this game like week one of the football season.'

The Demon football team had a great 2015 season and Giardino was a big part of the team that finished 7-3. He already has started getting ready for the experience.

'I have been hitting the weights pretty hard and just trying to stay in shape,' Giardino said. 'I have been doing some footwork drills and playing catch to get back into the football routine.'

His excitement level is high and he understands what it means to be playing in the game.

'I think it is a great honor to be selected and I am excited to represent Demon football,' Giardino said.

Giardino also knows the game is much more than about him and his individual stats.

'I think it's a great honor to be selected to play,' he said. 'Some of Washington's great athletes have played in this game and to be put in a group with those guys is great. The game also is for a great cause, which makes it a double bonus.'