The roster for the 68th annual Montana East-West Shrine Game was announced yesterday and features several local football players who will participate in the state’s de facto all-star game.
The local players selected were:
Glacier’s Noah James (running back), Zach Dennehy (offensive lineman), Evan Epperly (defensive back) and Todd Ogden (linebacker). Brendan Windauer is an alternate.
Columbia Falls’ Jared Trinastich (quarterback). Zach Darling is an alternate.
Flathead’s Adam Bradley (offensive lineman). Axel Bladholm and Caleb McCracken are alternates.
Whitefish’s Sean Foley (return specialist) and David Rizzollo (defensive back). Gage Smith and Calen Thilmony are alternates.
Bigfork’s Boyd Rieke (running back). Cameron Nissen is an alternate.
Polson’s Brady Hislop (linebacker)
These players were nominated by their schools and coaches across the state, and selected as the “best of the best” to participate in the 68th Montana Shrine Game.
The game will be played July 19 in Laurel. Montana’s game has become one of the top Shrine Games in the nation for hospital donations, according to organizers. Last year’s game raised $146,000, the top donation in the U.S. to date.
This year’s game has been tweaked to include two players from Calgary, Alberta, who have been selected to participate in the game and showcase their talents against the best of Montana. One Canadian player will line up for each Montana team.
Troy Purcell has been selected as head coach of the East Team. He’s been the head coach for Bozeman High since 2005, winning state championships in 2010 and 2013. Purcell is a Helena Capital High graduate and played football for Carroll College. Prior to moving to Bozeman, he was the head coach of the Havre Blue Ponies from 2000 through 2004, winning the Class A championship his last year there. This is his third stint as head coach for the Shrine Game, winning for the East in 2005 and the West in 2011..
Rick Nordahl of Beaverhead County High School in Dillon is the selection for the West Team. Nordahl is a first-year head coach in Dillon, winning the Class A championship this year. He is also a Helena Capital High graduate and attended UM Western where he was a standout in wrestling and rodeo for the Bulldogs. Prior to taking the helm at Dillon, he was assistant coach there for 23 years. He coached in the Shrine game four times prior to accepting the head position this year.
68th Annual Montana East-West Shrine FootballGame
WEST ROSTER
Offense
Quarterback — Dallas Cook, Butte, 6-4, 235; Jared Trinastich, Columbia Falls, 6-4, 190.
Running back — Noah James, Glacier, 6-2, 200; Wyatt Kingston, Butte Central, 5-10, 185; Boyd Rieke, Bigfork, 5-10, 185.
Wide receiver — Troy Arntson, Helena, 5-7, 155; Peter Granger, Butte, 6-4, 190; Kale Guldseth, Butte Central, 5-10, 160; Alex Mustard, Big Sky, 6-1, 195; Connor Sullivan, Ennis, 6-4, 230.
Tight end — Connor McGree, Butte Central, 6-3, 215; Tyler Richtmyer, Sentinel, 6-2, 215.
Offensive line — Matt Bachmeier, Helena, 5-10, 230; Adam Bradley, Flathead, 6-4, 220; Zach Dennehy, Glacier, 6-2, 235; James Foote, Big Sky, 6-2, 225; Donovan Hucke, Dillon, 6-0, 280; Dylan Koffman, Capital, 6-0, 215; Jake McElroy, Missoula Loyola, 5-10, 225; Derek Wham, Ennis, 6-1, 260.
Return specialist — Sean Foley, Whitefish, 5-9, 160.Defense
Defensive line — Gavin DeJong, Manhattan, 6-5, 215; Zach Gavlak, Stevensville, 6-4, 220; Austin Oldenburger, Manhattan, 6-1, 270; Tyler Sanders, Capital, 6-2, 255; Kole Swartz, Hellgate, 6-5, 225; Jaydn Wilson, Sentinel, 5-9, 245.
Linebacker — Nic Amestoy, Helena, 5-10, 205; Brady Hislop, Polson, 6-0, 195; Carson King, Dillon, 6-3, 215; Kellen Maharg, Capital, 5-11, 215; Todd Ogden, Glacier, 6-2, 200; Jacen Petersen, Charlo, 5-9, 175; Troy Scott, Dillon, 6-3, 215.
Defensive back — Evan Epperly, Glacier, 5-10, 185; Galt McBride, Helena, 6-1, 180; Zach Hollenback, Missoula Loyola, 6-0, 180; Mick Paffhausen, Dillon, 5-10, 170; David Rizzollo, Whitefish, 5-7, 170; Daniel Van Dyke, Capital, 5-9, 160.
Alternates
Robell Bassett, Big Sky; Josh Bauder, Hamilton; Zach Bauer, Hellgate; Connor Benn, Ronan; Axel Bladholm, Flathead; Teague Blome, Hamilton; John Brennan, Whitehall; Alex Burnett, Boulder; Tristan Clark, Deer Lodge; Kyle Cochran, Helena; Christian Coiner, Dillon; Zach Darling, Columbia Falls; Tyler Delaney, Charlo; Sam Fletcher, Boulder; Oliver Grupenhoff, Noxon; Cody Lemmons, Frenchtown; Tony Madsen, Missoula Loyola; Hunter Mahlum, Hellgate; Caleb McCracken, Flathead; Matt McHugh, Missoula Loyola; Ryan Nagel, Sentinel; Cameron Nissen, Bigfork; Kevin Oberweiser, Drummond; Ethan Reich, Anaconda; Connor Schulte, Butte Central; M.J. Simkins, Dillon; Gage Smith, Whitefish; Justin Smith, Sentinel; Caleb Thilmony, Whitefish; Austin Violette, Sentinel; Johnny Walker, Butte; Brendan Windauer, GlacierEAST ROSTER
Offense
Quarterback – Will Weyer, Bozeman, 6-5, 225; Joe Zimmer, Billings Senior, 5-11, 185; Ben Herzog, Miles City, 6-0, 175
Running back — Hunter Gappmayer, Bozeman, 5-9, 200; Seth Adams, Harlem, 6-1, 215; Austin Kendall, Sidney, 5-10, 210; Alex Picicci, Skyview, 5-8, 185
Wide receiver — Jory Fisher, White Sulphur Springs, 6-0, 170; Jackson Marsh, Plentywood, 6-4, 205; Zach Molyneaux, Chinook, 5-11, 170; Luke Schwagler, Forsyth, 5-9, 165
Tight end — Brock Beede, Joliet, 6-5, 215; Eric Dawson, CMR, 6-2, 205;
Offensive line — Thomas Bear Robe, Skyview, 6-4, 290; Ben D’Alton, Billings Central, 6-3, 240; Zane Fox, Huntley Project, 6-0, 260; Colton Gavne, Livingston, 6-4, 257; Jimmy Grinde, CMR, 6-2, 245; Luke Gunderson, Glasgow, 6-2, 255; Trevor Hopf, Skyview, 6-4, 240; Weston Marsh, Billings Central, 6-0, 250
Return specialist — Mason Melby, Baker, 5-10, 185
Kicker — Grant Linde, Billings West, 6-2, 190Defense
Defensive line — Chase Bertelsen, Wibaux, 6-1, 230; Koni Dole, Huntley Project, 6-0, 210; Will Dissly, Bozeman, 6-5, 255; Chris Emter, Livingston, 6-4, 270; Kelin King, Malta, 6-1, 240; Alex Thomas, CMR, 6-1, 205; Jalen Whitley, Skyview, 6-5, 280; Tucker Yates, Colstrip, 6-1, 280;
Linebacker — Grant Collins, Bozeman, 6-4, 220; Cody Henderson, Great Falls, 5-9, 175; Mitch Kaufman, Laurel, 5-9, 180; Tyler Phennings, CMR, 6-1, 215;
Defensive back — Jacob Bakken, Wibaux, 6-5, 180; Zeb Bloom, Simms, 6-1, 205; Wyatt David, Bozeman, 5-11, 175; Jonathan Koessl, Glasgow, 5-7, 165; Shawn Purcell, Hardin, 5-8, 165; Ben Herzog, Miles City, 6-0, 175.
Alternates
Sam Bronec, Geraldine-Highwood; Jaden Bryant, Belgrade; Keavon Buckley, Bozeman; Shayne Cochran, Culbertson-Bainville; Kordell Cummins, Hardin; John D’Agostino, Bozeman; Chandler D’Agostino, Bozeman; Kyle Duitsman, Havre; Jeff Fisher, Baker; Dace Fisher, Sidney; Jake French, Choteau; Nate Hanser, Broadview-Lavina; Jack Hape, Bozeman; Bryce Hawbaker, Billings Central; Trevor Jenson, Havre; Chris Johnson, Bozeman; Riley Kack, Bozeman; Wyatt Laakso, Bozeman; Levi Lynde, Red Lodge; Kurt McInerney, Fairfield; Wyatt McKinlay, Geraldine-Highwood; Jayse McLean, CMR; Mike Naro, Bozeman; Andy Nordstrom, Red Lodge; Scott Ollinger, Browning; Reece Quade, Skyview; Morgan Schenk, Fairfield; Dylan Stenseth, Lewistown; Tristan Walker, Belgrade; Logan Wilcox, Lewistown