Area High School Players Selected for 2026 Shrine Bowl

Local football stars Koltt Ahn, Brecken Ritzert, and Palmer Hemming to represent their communities in annual all-star game

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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Three high school football players from the Pella, Iowa area - Koltt Ahn of Newton, Brecken Ritzert of Pella Christian, and Palmer Hemming of Pella - have been selected to participate in the 2026 Shrine Bowl, an annual all-star game featuring top talent from across the state.

Why it matters

The Shrine Bowl is a prestigious event that showcases the best high school football players in Iowa, providing them with an opportunity to compete against elite competition and raise awareness for Shriners Hospitals for Children. Selection to the game is a major honor that can boost a player's profile and open doors to college recruitment.

The details

The three local players were chosen based on their standout performances during the 2025 high school football season. Koltt Ahn was a dominant running back for the Newton Cardinals, Brecken Ritzert was an all-conference linebacker for Pella Christian, and Palmer Hemming was an athletic two-way player for the Pella Dutch.

  • The 2026 Shrine Bowl will take place on June 21, 2026.

The players

Koltt Ahn

A running back for the Newton Cardinals high school football team.

Brecken Ritzert

A linebacker for the Pella Christian high school football team.

Palmer Hemming

A two-way player for the Pella Dutch high school football team.

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What they’re saying

“I'm really excited to represent my community and play alongside some of the best players in the state. The Shrine Bowl is a dream come true.”

— Koltt Ahn (kniakrls.com)

“This is a great honor, not just for me but for our whole team and school. I can't wait to compete at such a high level and raise money for Shriners Hospitals.”

— Brecken Ritzert (kniakrls.com)

“It's going to be an amazing experience to play in the Shrine Bowl. I'm proud to represent Pella and show what our community is all about.”

— Palmer Hemming (kniakrls.com)

What’s next

The players will begin training and preparation for the 2026 Shrine Bowl in the coming months, leading up to the game on June 21, 2026.

The takeaway

The selection of these three local players to the prestigious Shrine Bowl highlights the strength of high school football programs in the Pella area and the dedication of these student-athletes to their sport and their communities.