West romps to Shrine Game victory in Laurel

The best high school football players and coaches in the state of Montana took the field last Saturday in the 68th edition of the Montana East-West Shrine Game, and thanks to a high-flying pass offense, the West squad carried the day, notching a 34-10 victory over the East.

On one of the biggest stages in Montana high school football, Columbia Falls’ Jared Trinastich stole the show, throwing for 200 yards and two touchdowns in the 24-point rout at the Laurel Sports Complex. Trinastich was named the game’s most outstanding player.

The East team, coached by former Havre High and current Bozeman head coach Troy Purcell, jumped out to an early 3-0 lead but after touchdown passes by Dallas Cook of Butte and Trinastich, the West held a 13-3 at the end of the first quarter.

Trinastich threw his second touchdown pass of the game in the second quarter, giving the West a 20-3 halftime lead.

Things only got worse for the East in the third as Noah James found the end zone on a one-yard touchdown run and Cook followed that up with another touchdown pass to stretch the lead to 34-3 after three quarters.

Despite losing the game, the East provided the most memorable play of night as Bozeman quarterback Will Weyer connected with Red Lodge’s Levi Lynde on a 99-yard touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter.

The Hi-Line was well represented in the game as Danny Wirtzberger, Havre’s offensive coordinator last season was an assistant coach for the East team. Seth Adams of Harlem and Zach Molyneaux of Chinook also participated for the East. Purcell led Havre High to the 2004 Class A state championship, and has led Bozeman High to two AA tiles.

West 34, East 10

West 13 7 14 0 -- 34

East 3 0 0 7 -- 10

First quarter

East -- Grant Linde 37 field goal, 8:53

West -- Troy Arntson 78 pass from Dallas Cook (Brady Hislop kick), 3:40

West -- Sean Foley 22 pass from Jared Trinastich (kick failed), 1:12

Second quarter

West -- Tyler Richtmyer 4 pass from Trinastich (Hislop kick), :53

Third quarter

West -- Noah James 1 run (Hislop kick), 4:07

West -- Alex Mustard 15 pass from Cook (Hislop kick), :39

Fourth quarter

East -- Levi Lynde 99 pass from Will Weyer (Linde kick), 5:41