McLouth High’s Nick McAferty and Tonganoxie High’s Cody Snyder will play for the East team in the 41st annual Kansas Shrine Bowl on Saturday at Pittsburg State University’s Carnie Smith Stadium.

The East squad will be under the direction of MHS head coach Chris Stewart, who led the Bulldogs to their second straight district title in 2013. Stewart was an assistant coach in last year’s Shrine Bowl, in which the East ended a seven-game losing streak with a 22-19 victory at Washburn University in Topeka.

Among this year’s East staff is Cherryvale coach Harry Hester, who previously spent five years as the head coach at McLouth. Stewart was Hester’s defensive coordinator for four of those years before taking over the program in 2008.

“It’s pretty amazing that he and I are back together,” Stewart said. “He’s one of those guys who taught me a lot about football and being a head coach, so I’m really happy he’s here with me.”

In addition to sharing the sideline with his former mentor, Stewart will also have one more chance to coach McAferty, who will continue his career this fall at Fort Scott Community College. McAferty, who starred at receiver and defensive back at MHS, is the second Bulldog selected to the Shrine Bowl in as many seasons, joining 2013 grad Marc Walbridge. Before last season, no McLouth player had been selected to a Shrine Bowl roster since 1995.

“You want to see your kids be successful,” Stewart said. “That’s why you do it, so it’s really gratifying to have a player here with me. The only reason we’re here is because of our team. They’re the ones that made it happen.”

Snyder, who helped Tonganoxie win district and bi-district titles in each of the last two seasons, is the first Chieftain selected for the Shrine Bowl since Jeff Hughes in 2007. He is the fifth THS selection overall. The game will be the second postseason appearance for the Butler Community College signee, who also started at left tackle in the GKCFCA Kansas vs. Missouri All-Star Game on June 19 in Blue Springs, Mo.

The East team is currently practicing in Emporia, where it will remain until it travels Thursday to Pittsburg. After arriving in Pittsburg, team members will meet with patients from Shriners Hospitals for Children, which has 22 locations across the U.S.

Saturday’s game is set for 7:05 p.m.