Local legacies take to Shrine Game
GREAT FALLS — The Montana East-West Shrine Game should feel like a family atmosphere for the northwest players headed to the annual all-star showcase.
The game, which kicks off at 7 p.m. today at Memorial Stadium, features a heavy local flair. Nearly a quarter of the West team is from the Flathead Valley and northwest Montana.
For a few, the family connection goes way back.
Glacier’s Andrew Harris is the fifth member of his family to play in the game. Harris’ father, Greg, played in the 1971 Shrine Game before a sterling career at the University of Montana and a brief stint in the NFL. Since, his older brothers Tiger (2004), Josh (2008) and Caleb (2012) have all played in the contest.
Likewise, Flathead’s Aaron Siderius is following in the footsteps of an uncle and cousin who played in the Shrine Game.
Like the Badlands Bowl last month, Glacier is well represented at the Shrine Game, boasting five players on the team, with four others named as alternates. The team’s record-setting offense brings its core to another all-star contest, with quarterback Brady McChesney and receiver Logan Jones joining lineman Harrison Kauffman on the offense. State defensive player of the year Josh Hill will play at inside linebacker on the defense with Harris at defensive end.
Siderius and Columbia Falls’ Ike Schweikert and Spencer Ransier-Ross are also on the defensive line. Bigfork’s Josh Sandry is listed at safety.
Ty Morgan, who posted back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons for Columbia Falls, will join the offense along with Libby offensive guard Michael Curtiss.
Other notable members of the West roster are Griz recruits Colin Bingham at tight end and state sprinting champion Dalton Daum at wide receiver. Future Bobcats Marcus Ferriter and Byron Rollins will man either side of the line.
Butte Central coach Don Peoples, Jr., has been selected to lead the West team. Glacier’s T Artis is an assistant on the staff.
Bobcat recruits Mitch Brott and Bryan Wilkes will post as offensive tackles for the East team with future teammate Brayden Konkol at inside linebacker. Griz recruit Holden Ryan will play running back for the East squad.
The East is head coached by Great Falls C.M. Russell’s Gary Lowry.
The game will be broadcast locally on KAJ (Channel 18, Charter Cable; Channel 9, DirecTV; Channel 7, Dish Network), with pre-game festivities to begin at 6:30 p.m.
Flathead coach Kyle Samson’s father, Mark, the newly hired football coach at Havre High and former coach of MSU-Northern, will be the color analyst on the program.