Bradley was a member of the winning North squad that defeated the South by the score of 21-17. Coach Wadle was the defensive linebacker, punt team and defensive back's coach and also called the defense for the North while son Reece was one of three managers on the team.

"We were busy from the moment we got there and it was a lot of fun," said Coach Wadle. "It was a great experience in my football coaching career, probably only second to coaching in the state championship game twice.

"We had a tremendous group of kids and they were a treat to be around down there. I also got to work with a tremendous group of coaches and they were fantastic all week long.

"Jerry Schultz of Estherville-Lincoln-Central was the head coach and I have known him many years. Doug Winkowitsch from West Delaware used to be at Garner-Hayfield while Drew Clevenger from St. Ansgar, Jerry Shafrath of Hampton-Dumont and Chad Moseman of Lawton-Bronson were all coaches that I have either coached against or knew very well."
The North squad got behind 10-0 in the first quarter but rallied for 21 fourth quarter points to get the victory in the game. A 58-yard punt return by Josh Lenz of Dubuque Hempstad, a full-ride Iowa State scholarship player, was the turning point of the contest.

"We played a lot better in the second half," said Coach Wadle about the game. "In the first half, we just struggled offensively. We gave up a quick early score but actually played well after that. We forced three turnovers with two picks and a fumble recovery but missed four field goals. We had opportunities but we couldn't get things going. The punt return turned the game around and gave us a lot of momentum."

The festivities started for the trio on Thursday, July 16 as the players had to help out at the Iowa Games. Thursday, they set up signs for the event and Friday the players attended the grand opening ceremonies and got to 'high five' all the athletes coming into the stadium but had to pick up trash after the event concluded.
The teams practiced on Saturday and on Sunday there was a Parents Day when all the players and coaches were introduced after a scrimmage and meal.

On Monday, they went to the Shrine Hospital in Minneapolis. They left at 6 a.m. and returned at 5 p.m. to Ames. Coach Wadle said it was a great experience for the kids.

When they returned they had another practice and then had a mixer with the 50 cheerleaders selected for the game and of course they enjoyed that.

On Tuesday, they had a pair of practices during the day but had the night off.

On Wednesday, there was a big hog roast and mixer at the Shrine Temple in Altoona. The players, coaches and cheerleaders were bused there and got the opportunity to meet a lot of the shriners along with the all the people on the shrine bowl committee.

On Thursday, they got to go to Adventureland from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. for a little rest and relaxation time.
Friday was the big banquet at Hilton Coliseum with Dolph Pulliam of Des Moines being the guest speaker. Coach Wadle said it was really nice and all the players, coaches and cheerleaders along with the prince and princess of the shrine bowl being introduced.

On Saturday, they have to check out of the dorms and moved all their belongings to the Jacobson Building for the game that night. In the morning there was a beautiful parade in downtown Ames.


Coach Wadle commented on Bradley's play, as he played a flanker spot on the North squad and will play football at Briar Cliff this fall.

"The coaches were real pleased with his play and his great attitude," said Marty. "Like some other kids, he had to travel a lot with baseball still going on. It's tough on those young kids when they have to travel that much.
"I think he had a good experience. He was there the majority of the time. He had to miss a couple of practices but not very many. It was a good to have him down there.

"I didn't see him much with him playing offense and I was on the defensive side. He did a good job. He got his bell rung in the second half and they thought it was best if he didn't play after that which was unfortunate but was probably the right thing to do."

"It was also pretty special for Reece to be selected as one of the managers and take in all the happenings of the event," said his dad. "I think it was a great learning experience for him and something he will always remember."
Coach Wadle was very pleased to send his old coach buddy Schultz out with a victory in his final game as the veteran coach retired after the contest.

"It was great to send Jerry out a winner in his final game," said the Bishop Garrigan coach. "He jokingly sent us the first e-mail back in November when we first got together to select the team and said 'guys this is my last game, so send me out a winner.' It was very special to send a good friend out that way to end his great career of coaching football."

The 2009 game was the 37th annual All-Star game which has risen over $2,000,000 for the Shriners Hospitals for Children. Both the North and South squads have 42 players that were selected by the coaches last winter for the honor to play in this special game each summer at Iowa State University in Ames in front of a nice crowd.