Two Bulldogs invited to play in Shrine Game

Two Bulldogs are included on the starting rosters for the 68th annual Montana East-West Shrine Game.

Whitefish seniors Sean Foley and David Rizzolo will play for the West. Foley is lited as a return specialist. Rizzolo will play cornerback.

Bulldog seniors Gage Smith and Calub Thilmony will serve as West alternates.

The game will be played July 19 in Laurel.

The Montana Shrine Game is the premier all-star game in Montana and has a long history of distinguished players and coaches. It is one of the oldest high school all-star football games in the U.S.

Every year since 1947, standout players are selected to compete in the game to raise money and to help make the public aware of the orthopedic and burn care center at Shriner’s Hospital for Children in Spokane, Wash. The 2013 Montana Shrine Game raised $146,000.

This year’s game with have an international flavor. Two players from Calgary, Alberta have been selected to participate and showcase their talents against the best of Montana. One gridder will play 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, Purcell 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 state championship this year. He is also a Helena Capital High graduate and attended UM Western where he was a standout in wrestling and rodeo. Prior to taking the helm at Dillon, Rick was assistant coach there for 23 years. He coached in the Shrine game four times prior to accepting the head position this year.

Players were nominated by their schools and coaches across the state, and finally selected as the “best of the best” to participate in the game.