Behne to play in 52nd annual Iowa Shrine Bowl

By TYLER ANDERSON tanderson@iowainformation.com

According to its website, the Iowa Shrine Bowl All-Star Classic is “an annual football game played each July, featuring 92 of the best football players in the state of Iowa.”

Away from the warm and humid elements of the midsummer and played in perfect 72-degree conditions, a trip to the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls is something that any high school football player seeks out as a final hurrah before heading off to college.

Greene County senior kicker Nathan Behne will get his chance to shine this July.

In an announcement made through social media this past Sunday, Behne accepted an invitation to take part in the 2024 Iowa Shrine Bowl, scheduled for July 20 in Cedar Falls.

“I’m honored to receive and accept the invitation to the 2024 Iowa Shrine Bowl,” Behne said. “Thank you to the Iowa Shrine Bowl for the opportunity to compete and impact the lives of children and their families.”

The Iowa High School Football Coaches Association selects players to compete for the North and South teams. 

Over the course of the 2024 season, Behne has split the uprights on six occasions and was a perfect 25-of-25 in PATs. Nathan’s 49-yard field goal on Sept. 22 against Kuemper Catholic was a school record – for a program spanning back for more than a century.

In his 43 kickoffs, Behne accumulated 2,447 yards and 25 touchbacks. Nathan also punted nine times for 332 yards and for an average of 36.9 yards per punt.

As a part of the Rams’ football program, Behne has knocked through eight field goals and 104 PATs. In kickoffs, Nathan compiled 6,532 total yards and 48 touchbacks in 123 total kickoffs.

The Rams finished 3-5 this past season. While Nathan suited up for the red and black, Greene County put together a record of 26-12 and three playoff appearances.

From July 14 to July 20, players and cheerleaders attend a camp on the campus of the University of Northern Iowa ready themselves for the game, network with other players and acquire opportunities to learn how they can help less fortunate children.

On the evening before the game, participants and their families take part in the Honors Banquet. The week wraps up with a parade on Saturday morning, which features a Iowa Shrine Bowl King and Queen, the players, cheerleaders, coaches and Shriners from all across the state.

At 4 p.m., kickoff commences between the North and South teams.

Since returning in 2021, the North has held a three-game winning streak over the South. The latest contest saw the North defeat the South by way of a 29-15 final score.