Shrine Bowl super stars

Four players from the New Rockford-Sheyenne/Maddock Rockets took part in the 50th annual North Dakota Shrine Bowl on Saturday, June 22, in Mayville.

Connor Knatterud, DJ Mudgett, Logan Maddock and Macyn Olson represented the Rockets after leading their team on an excellent season. They played for the 9-man east team along with many of the best players in 9-man North Dakota football.

The four of them are the first Rockets to compete in the Shrine Bowl since 2021, when Johnny Grann and Hunter Johnson last represented NR-S.

And with the contributions of four Rockets this year, it was the team from the east that came out on top, taking down the 9-man west squad by a final score of 20-8.

Meanwhile, the Rockets players weren't the only locals making an impact at this year's Shrine Bowl.

Piper Hegland and her infectious smile is well known in New Rockford and Eddy County, but many more throughout the state got the opportunity to meet her and learn about her story in Mayville.

Hegland was named Princess of the 50th annual North Dakota Shrine Bowl, and the life of a princess was a busy one on Thursday.

As the princess, she attended the player day on Thursday with other Shriners patients.

"Piper and I were able to share her story and her experience with Shriners Children's Hospital, and then spent the afternoon playing games with the football players," said Amanda Hegland, Piper's mother.

On Saturday, Piper also got to be in the parade in Mayville before saying a few words at the Shrine Bowl banquet. She was then introduced and honored at halftime of the 9-man football game.

Princess Piper did an excellent job at this year's Shrine Bowl, and will certainly have made her community very proud.