The Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas is returning to Spartanburg this December, bringing the top high school football players from South Carolina and North Carolina for one of the most anticipated all‑star games in the southeast region. The annual Shrine Bowl game, which has been played since 1937, is more than just a showcase of athletic talent. It also raises money for Shriners Hospitals for Children, making it both a prestigious sporting event and a heartwarming community tradition.
This year’s game will be played once again at Viking Stadium at Spartanburg High School. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 20, and fans from across the Carolinas are expected to attend to watch the selected players showcase their skills. College scouts and recruiters will also be watching closely, since the Shrine Bowl has a long history of featuring athletes who go on to play at the college level and even go to the professional level to the NFL.
The South Carolina team will be coached by Liberty High School’s head coach, Paul Sutherland, and the North Carolina team will be led by Coach Jeff Craddock of Tarboro High School. Being selected for the Shrine Bowl is quite an honor and takes lots of hard work and dedication in order to be selected. Spartan High’s very own, Will Love (12), was selected as the kicker for Team South Carolina.
Will Love (12) is thrilled to be selected as the kicker for South Carolina for this year’s Shrine Bowl game.
“It’s always been a dream of mine since I’ve started kicking to be selected for the Shrine Bowl team,” Love said. “It’s a great opportunity that helps you get noticed by scouts, and it will be a fun experience to meet guys from across the region and also get to meet some of the kids in the Shriners Hospital.”
Mark Hodge is the head coach of the Viking football team at Spartanburg High and has had the opportunity to coach various Shrine Bowlers from SHS.
“Over the past few years, we’ve had a number of our athletes participate in the Shrine Bowl. The Shrine Bowl is a great experience for players to get to know others from across the state and support the Shriners Hospital cause,” Hodge said.
While the game is the highlight, the Shrine Bowl week is about more than football. Players spend time visiting patients at Shriners Hospitals, attending banquets and participating in other community-related events. These experiences remind athletes and fans alike that the event is not only about competition but also about compassion.
Todd Staley, the athletic director at Spartanburg High, enjoys being able to host the Shrine Bowl at SHS every year.
“Being able to host such a great event at our school every year is something very special. The cause for the Shriners Hospital is truly a wonderful thing and the game itself is always a fun time being able to watch athletes across the Carolinas compete,” Staley said.
A widely known tradition of the annual Shrine Bowl is not even within the game. The annual game ball delivery is performed by top South Carolina’s most elite cross country runners that are selected based off of their performances at the state championships. This year, Elloree Flippin (12), was selected as a member of the game ball relay. The relay begins at the Shriners Hospital all the way in Greenville and ends at midfield at Viking Stadium, which is a total distance of about 30 miles.
For the community, the Shrine Bowl is a chance to celebrate high school football at its highest level while supporting a meaningful cause. For the athletes, it is an opportunity to represent their schools and their state on a big stage. As the 89th Shrine Bowl approaches, excitement is building across the southeast. Fans will gather not just to watch a game, but to witness tradition, talent, and teamwork come together for a greater purpose.
