May 09, 2025
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Football: Trio of Sauk Valley area standouts to play in Shrine Game

Fulton, Forreston to send players to all-star game June 17 in Bloomington

By Ty Reynolds - Shaw Local News Network correspondent
Forreston's Johnathen Kobler powers his way into the end zone as Quinten Frederick gives the touchdown signal during the Cardinals' 44-16 playoff win over Chicago Hope Academy on Saturday, Nov. 5.

Forreston's Johnny Kobler powers his way into the end zone as Quinten Frederick gives the touchdown signal during the Cardinals' 44-16 playoff win over Chicago Hope Academy last season. Kobler is one of three locals who will play in the 2023 Illinois Shrine Game on Saturday, June 17. (Earleen Hinton)

Three local football players will participate in the 2023 Illinois High School Shrine Game at 11 a.m. June 17 at Illinois Wesleyan University’s Tucci Stadium.

Rosters for the Shrine Game, which is hosted by the Illinois Coaches Association along with the Mohammed Shriners, were announced Wednesday.

Fulton has a pair of players in the game, but they’ll suit up for opposing teams. Kicker Endi Qunaj is on the roster for the Red Team, while lineman Braiden Damhoff will play for the Blue Team. Forreston running back Johnny Kobler will join Damhoff on the Blue Team.

Damhoff was an SVM All-Area first-team selection, an Illinois High School Football Coaches Association first-team all-stater, and a unanimous all-NUIC selection on offense and second-teamer on defense this past fall. He helped paved the way for an offense that posted 1,916 yards rushing and 1,612 yards passing, and he also had 78 tackles (42 solo), seven tackles for loss and a sack as the Steamers advanced to the Class 1A state quarterfinals for the second straight season.

Fulton’s Braiden Damhoff snatches the sleeve of Rockford Lutheran’s Arlin Moore Jr. Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022 during a round two football playoff game.

Fulton’s Braiden Damhoff (60) grabs the sleeve of Rockford Lutheran’s Arlin Moore Jr. during their 1A second-round playoff game last season. Damhoff will play in the 2023 Illinois Shrine Game. (Alex T. Paschal - apaschal@shawmedia.com/credit)

Kobler was an SVM All-Area first-team pick and a unanimous choice on both sides for the ball on the NUIC all-conference squad. He ran 216 times for 1,488 yards and 24 touchdowns, and also had 50 tackles (18 solo) and a tackle for loss as the Cardinals advanced to the Class 1A state semifinals.

Qunaj was a second-team selection on the SVM All-Area Team, and a unanimous all-NUIC honoree. He connected on 45 PAT kicks and seven field goals, with a long of 44 yards; he also averaged 52.2 yards per kickoff and booted 22 touchbacks.

Byron’s James Cone will join Qunaj on the Red Team, while local conferences will also be represented by players from Stillman Valley, Geneseo, Moline, Rock Island, Princeton, Rockridge, Lena-Winslow and Durand-Pecatonica.

The players report on Tuesday, June 13 for practices and other ceremonies leading up to the game. There is a cookout Thursday and a banquet Friday.

Fulton's Endi Qunaj kicks an extra point during a game last fall in Fulton. Qunaj will play in the 2023 Illinois Shrine Game. (Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media)