Dylan Busby dylan@silsbee-bee.com The Silsbee Bee LUMBERTON — Seven Hardin County football players received one more opportunity to represent their schools Friday during the Southeast Texas All-Star Football Game at Lumberton High School. Lumberton was represented by Kale Carr, Luke Burkhalter, Gage Grimmer, Chase Williams and Justin Marchuk. Kade Bumstead represented Kountze, while TZ Hafford represented Silsbee. The game brought together standout seniors from across Southeast Texas and gave them another chance to compete before closing out their high school football careers. For Lumberton’s five players, the game carried additional significance because it was played on their home field. “It was an awesome opportunity for our seniors to play one last game on their home field,” Lumberton head football coach Chase McDonald reported. “They were all very excited about the game.” McDonald reported that their willingness to compete again reflected the culture Lumberton wants to continue building. “I believe it shows their commitment and true love for the game of football, and that is something we hope continues to expand throughout our program,” he reported. Kountze head football coach Todd Paine reported that Bumstead’s selection gives younger Lions another goal to pursue. “Means a lot,” Paine reported. “He is only the second one from Kountze that has played since I’ve been here. Makes the younger guys look forward to something and work a little bit harder to be able to represent Kountze and suit it up one more time.” Silsbee head football coach Randy Smith also emphasized the opportunity to represent the Tigers again. “It’s awesome for those kids that participate in the all-star games to get to represent the Silsbee Tigers one more time,” Smith reported. The all-star game allowed the players to share the field with other top athletes from the region while representing their schools, teammates and communities one final time.