Stevenson chosen for East-West Shrine game
Libby's Cy Stevenson picks up some yardage against Polson in Friday's game. Stevenson recently announced his decision to commit to the University of Montana Grizzlies football team. (Rob Zolman/Lake County Leader)
The accolades keep coming for Libby star football player Cy Stevenson.
Stevenson was chosen to play as a linebacker in the 76th East-West Shrine Game. He joins 46 other Loggers who have been chosen since the game began in 1947.
Jody Farmer, who played in the 1986 game, was named the offensive Most Outstanding Player.
The rosters for the game were released on Christmas. The all-star game is set for June 17 in Butte in 2023.
Northwest Montana schools are well-represented.
Including Stevenson, Whitefish had guard Kai Nash, cornerback Fynn Ridgeway and defensive tackle Montana Cohenour named to the 40-man West roster, which includes the Helena schools.
Defensive end Nick Walker and cornerback Isak Epperly of Bigfork were selected.
Mission had receiver Bryce Umphrey and outside linebacker Canyon Sargent picked.
Polson QB Jarrett Wilson and Thompson Falls cornerback Eli Ratliff were also chosen.
Glacier standouts Gage Sliter and Jackson Hensley were named as alternates, as were Columbia Falls athletes Brandon Role and Justin Windauer. Bigfork’s Ethan Rodriguez and Bryce Gilliard are alternates as well, as is Polson’s Trent Wilson at safety.
Class AA champion Helena Capital put five players on the roster, including running back Tom Carter and tight end Hayden Opitz.
The Montana Shrine Game is the premier all-star game in Montana and has a long history of distinguished players and coaches. It is also one of the oldest high school all-star football games in America. Every year since 1947, Montana high schools’ finest players are selected to compete in a game to raise money and to help make the public aware of the expert orthopedic and burn care available at the Shriner’s Children's in Spokane, Washington.
Expert care is provided regardless of the family’s ability to pay. In recent years, the Montana game is the top high school Shrine Game in the nation for hospital donations. In the last 10 years this game has raised over $1 million.
Here is a list of players from Libby and Troy who have been chosen or played in the game.
1947 - Herman Dolezal, Libby
1948 - Herbert Coffman, Troy
1951 - Harold Gompe, Libby
1954 - Gary Rasmussen, Libby
1958 - Gale Weidner, Troy
1959 - George Bentley, Jr., Libby
1961 - Gary Peck, Libby
1962 - Ron Anderson, Libby
1963 - Ben Vaughn, Libby
1966 - Bill Waters, Troy
1966 - Kelly Evans, Libby
1968 - Steve Bertelsen, Libby
1968 - Dale Phillips, Libby
1969 - Don Burrell, Libby
1971 - Clayton Rayson, Libby
1973 - Robbie Nelson, Libby
1974 - Charles Lisle, Libby
1976 - Rick Brossman, Libby
1976 - Mike Roberts, Libby
1976 - Shane Spencer, Libby
1977 - Scott Kilner, Libby
1978 - Dick Chase, Libby
1980 - Brian Fruit, Libby
1984 - Gary Geier, Libby
1985 - Gordon Bradshaw, Libby
1985 - Wally Winslow, Troy
1986 - Jody Farmer, Libby
1987 - Steve Decker, Libby
1988 - Pick Wilson, Libby
1989 - Jeff Peck, Libby
1992 - Blaine McElmurry, Troy
1993 - Travis Winslow, Troy
1994 - Joe McElmurry, Libby
1994 - Ken Phillips, Libby
1995 - Andy Huntsberger, Libby
1997 - Vince Huntsberger, Libby
1997 - Jason Bain, Troy
1998 - Noah Studebaker, Libby
1999 - Nik Rewerts, Libby
2000 - Don Baney, Libby
2000 - Scott Lindsay, Libby
2004 - Keevin Bertelsen, Libby
2005 - Blaine Baker, Libby
2006 - Travis Hjort, Libby
2007 - Kyle Baker, Libby
2008 - Jordan Gragert, Libby
2008 - Zach Rowan, Libby
2009 - Joel Fuller, Libby
2009 - Justin Graham, Libby
2009 - T.J. Benson, Libby
2012 - Sawyer Zimmerman, Libby
2015 - Michael Curtiss, Libby
2016 - Sean Opland, Troy
2020 - Chris Schedlbauer, Libby
2021 - Ryker McElmurry, Libby
More information on the game and complete rosters may be found at www.MTShrinegame.com.