West dominates Montana East West Shrine Game

The Montana East West Shrine Football Game made its return this past Saturday in Butte. In a clash of some of the best high school football stars in the state, the West team prevailed with a 45-13 win for its third straight victory in the series.

The West took control early as it recorded a safety a few minutes into the game to take the lead. The West later scored a field goal to hold a 5-0 lead at the end of the first quarter. The West made another field goal early in the second quarter to push the lead to 8-0.

The East responded with a touchdown from Lewistown quarterback Gage Norslien to cut the deficit to 8-7. But the West struck back with a 15-yard rushing touchdown from Missoula Sentinel runningback Adam Jones to take a 15-7 lead into halftime.

In the second half, the West team pulled away to win the game. Polson quarterback Jarrett Wilson threw two touchdowns in the second half, including a 34-yard strike to Mission wide receiver Bryce Umphrey. Late in the game, the West team had a 45-7 lead. The East team finally responded with a kickoff return touchdown from Billings Central runningback Kade Boyd, but it was too late.

The East team had several football players and coaches with ties to the Hi-Line. Big Sandy's Braydon Cline and Kody Strutz suited up at wide receiver and Chinook's Tyler Schoen played inside linebacker for the East team.

On the East team's coaching staff, Lewistown head coach and former Montana State University-Northern quarterback Derek Lear served as head coach. Havre High head coach Jake Eldridge and HHS assistant coach Darold Debolt served as assistant coaches on the East team.

While the East team suffered another loss in the series, the players and coaches should appreciate the experience of playing and working with so many other great high school players and coaches throughout the week.