FARGO -- Ryan Smith was busy running routes down the middle of Dacotah Field's SprintTurf on Tuesday, while his teammates took shelter in what little shade they could find along the sideline.
The artificial surface should become very familiar to Smith during his college career.
"It just felt like home," said Smith, who is a North Dakota State football recruit. "That's a good thing because (I'm) going to spend the next 4-5 years here."
Smith will play for the 11-man East All-Stars in the North Dakota Shrine Bowl at 4 p.m. Saturday at the Fargodome. The 9-man game will follow at 7 p.m.
"The Shrine Bowl means a lot," Smith said. "You get to represent the east side of the state which is an accomplishment."
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At 5-foot-6, 160 pounds, Smith isn't the tallest NCAA Division I football player, but he has a solid frame and was one of the top high school sprinters in North Dakota.
A first-team, all-state selection, Smith hopes to make many different contributions to the Bison's offense. Smith can play running back, receiver and return kicks.
Smith admits to being a Bison fan during his high school years and is preparing for the season by working out and running at NDSU this summer. Smith wants nothing more than to compete for a starting job in his college career.
Mike McCall coached Smith at Wahpeton and was selected as the head coach for the 11-man East team. McCall knows the game is important to not only the players, but also to the Shriners Hospital for Children in Minneapolis.
"It's a great opportunity to play another week of football," McCall said. "But it's really about the Shriners and the hospital and the kids."
The teams will visit the Shriners Hospital for Children today to visit with patients and take a tour of the facilities. All benefits from the game will go to the hospital.
Hankinson headlines
the East 9-man team
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Hankinson won the North Dakota state 9-man state championship in 2009 with the help of Danny Hangaard, Dwight Anderson and Garrett Stein -- three seniors who will represent the East All-Stars in the 9-man game.
The three are excited to play in the Fargodome, where they won the championship last fall.
"You can't put words to it," Hangaard said. "It's a great feeling. Not many kids get to win state."
Hangaard will play for the University of Mary this season and Anderson will suit up for Jamestown College.
Nine-man head coach Jack Biesterfeld knows that preparing his team for the game is a challenge, but all the players are enjoying their time on the field.
"For some of them, it will be the last time they put on shoulder pads and a helmet. Others are moving on to the next level," Biesterfeld said. "They know that this is their last high school football game so they're going to have a lot of fun. They're excited."
