Missouri 8-Man All-Star game canceled, scholarships still to be awarded

This year would’ve marked the 12th annual matchup for the association.

“Usually we have the All-Star game in early July or late June, so we tried to put it off as long as possible,” Healey said. “That’s when we knew it probably wasn’t going to happen — for the safety of the kids and the fans.”

Healey added the outcome was in accordance with Gov. Mike Parson extending phase one of the state’s “Show Me Strong Recovery” plan through June 15.

Players from Bishop LeBlond High School, North Andrew High School, Mound City High School, East Atchison High School, King City High School and others were scheduled to compete.

“It’s just tough for the kids. This senior class has missed out on a lot. They didn’t get their spring sports season. They didn’t get those last few months with their classmates,” Healey said. “This was a fun event for the kids that they get to be together, play one more game with their teammates, against some competitors that they’ve played against for four years.”

The Missouri 8-Man Football Coaches Association will award three scholarships to graduated seniors who would have participated in the game.

These scholarships will be awarded later this month.

“There are a lot of kids who have put in a lot of work in four years. It’s something that our association is in a position to be able to do to award three scholarships to kids who have worked hard,” Healey said.

This year’s Hall of Fame inductees are Coach Vernon Pike from DeKalb High School and Ryan Hackett from West Nodaway High School.

They will be awarded their plaques this summer and honored at the all-star game in 2021.

Healey’s hope now is for sports to make its eventual return in some capacity.

“I hope we can get back to some sort of normalcy. Everybody wants to play fall sports and it’s kind of the coach’s dream that we can get a fall sports season,” Healey said. “I think we’re headed in the right direction.”