Libby's DeShazer named to 77th East-West Shrine Game

Libby senior standout Jace DeShazer was recently named to play in the 77th Montana East-West Shrine game.

DeShazer, one of the top tacklers in the country, had 140 total tackles, 43 solo, with 16 stops for a loss in 2023, all while dealing with offensive game plans geared to slow him.

DeShazer, an All-State selection, recorded eight career sacks and eight hurries. He had three sacks this season. He also had the first two interceptions of his storied career in 2023 while knocking down two passes and causing a fumble.

According to reporting in the Daily Inter Lake, Glacier and Bozeman, the two combatants in November’s State AA football championships, each had five players selected.

Plenty of Northwest Montana players had an extra Christmas present besides those on the Wolfpack and Hawks. Several standout seniors were selected to one of the oldest high school football games in America.

The game, scheduled for June 15 in Billings, also features four players from Columbia Falls and one each from Whitefish, Bigfork, Eureka, Thompson Falls and Charlo. 

That’s not to mention several alternates who will have a chance to fill in for players who can’t compete in the game.

Whitefish’s Mason Kelch is on the West roster at safety. 

Bigfork’s Eli Thorness is at tight end, with Vikings Wyatt Johnson and Tristan Herd as alternates; Eureka’s Tristan Butts is on the West roster at defensive back

Thompson Falls’ Hayden Hanks, who has signed with Boise State, is selected to play defensive tackle.

For Columbia Falls, which fell to Dillon in the State A championship, there are: Tristan Crane at guard; Jace Hill at receiver; Cody Schweikert at inside linebacker; and Alihn Anderson at defensive back.  Mark Robison, Lane Hoerner and Hunter Goodman are alternates.

Dillon also had four players make the West roster.

Glacier had offensive tackle Henry Sellards, defensive end Isaac Keim, athlete Kash Goicoechea, receiver Cohen Kastelitz and cornerback Alex Hausman selected. Evan Barnes and Kaleb Shine are alternates.

Flathead had tight end Braden Capser and athlete Brody Thornsberry named as alternates

Charlo’s Titan Inman is an alternate at defensive tackle.

Head coach of the West team is Pat Duchiene of three-time defending State B champion Florence. Three Falcons were selected to the West roster as well.

Billings West coach Rob Stanton is guiding the East team.