For the seventh time since the turn of the decade, the Chanute Blue Comets will have representation at the Kansas Shrine Bowl this summer as star lineman Brady Alonzo was nominated to the state’s annual all-star football game.
“He had a great season and was dominant upfront,” Chanute head coach Clete Frazell said. “His size, ability and stature gives him a big advantage. That got him a lot of attention on the recruiting trail. He’s got multiple Division II offers. He just had a great year. He’s been a leader for us on the offensive and defensive line for several years.”
Alonzo was often the most feared lineman on the field for the Blue Comets, who earned a share of an SEK League crown and won a playoff game in 2025.
Cade Small, Quinton Harding and Frazell all appeared in the Shrine Bowl last year, with Frazell representing the East coaching staff.
Since 2020, six players for Chanute have appeared in the game — Ty Bowman (2020), Kolten LaCrone (2022), Daegan Dean (2023), Gus Thuston (2024), Small and Harding (2025).
“It’s part of high expectations and kids competing at a high level,” Frazell said. “Competing in the Shrine Bowl is a product of work you’ve done over time. It’s a culmination of four years, even longer than that, to be a great player. It’s always nice to get those honors. To me, it tells our kids that come up in the future that if they work hard and do what you’re supposed to do, there’s big things ahead of you.”
Frazell feels Alonzo will fit in with his all-star peers on the field.
“He’ll be right there and ready to go,” Frazell said. “He’ll be ready to compete. It’ll be good for him to be around those caliber of players and athletes. That’ll give him a glance of what it’s like at the next level. He’ll do everything in his power to get on the field and be successful.”
The 53rd Kansas Shrine Bowl will be held on June 27.
The West won last year’s game, 25-8, and leads the alltime series 32-18-2.
