AFR personalities pick Beloit High School Trojans as contest winner

Tupelo - Whether it be about Friday's pep rally, Saturday's upset, or Sunday's bad call, America is talking about football. Football is quickly becoming America's new pastime and American Family Radio's JJ Jasper and Ron Shank know that well.

The hosts of AFR's morning show held their third annual contest where listeners submit essays of 200 words or less explaining why JJ and Ron should visit and cheer for their local team. The winner was chosen by how compelling his or her reason was and how the football team's schedule lined up with JJ and Ron's.

Two years ago, the DJ duo left for Britt, Iowa, where they rooted for West Hancock High. The players had lost a teammate over the summer when he was killed in an accident. JJ and Ron were asked to come in honor of those playing and in memory of the one absent from the field.

Last year, the two were joined by John Riley in Houston, Mississippi, where they cheered on the Hilltoppers. Earlier in the year, the school experienced tragedy when a young cheerleader died in a car crash. Her friends and the community at large came together to fund a scholarship in her honor. JJ, Ron, and John pledged that if the cheerleaders could raise $10,000 for the scholarship, all three would shave their heads. By kickoff time, the scholarship had $13,000 and all three men were bald.

This year JJ and Ron will visit Beloit, Kansas, thanks to Rhonda Koenig, a coach's wife. In her essay, she says, "I want you to come because we have a group of awesome, Christian coaches who work hard to be role models to their players and exemplify who men should be." Koenig has diligently submitted her school every year the contest has been going on.

Jasper said, "Rhonda made Beloit sound like such a wonderful place with amazing fans. We just couldn't resist being in the stands with her, to cheer on the Beloit High School Trojans."

JJ and Ron will be in the stands Friday, October 12, as the Trojans play the Phillipsburg Panthers.

The radio team is heard during early morning drive time locally at 88.5 FM on AFR and online at www.afr.net.