Lake County stars earn spots in Shrine Game
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">The dynamic Tra Ludeman will be showcasing his return skills at the East-West Shrine Game.</span></p>
<p class="p1">Eric Williamson terrorized opposing offenses from the defensive end position this year.</p>
<p class="p1">Will Davey will play safety for the annual all-star game.</p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Beau Mills was a bruising back for Polson this season, but made the Shrine Game as a linebacker.</span></p>
After each posted monster seasons for their respective teams, five Lake County football players have been selected to represent the West in the 67th Annual Montana East-West Shrine Game in Butte on July 20.
After each posted monster seasons for their respective teams, five Lake County football players have been selected to represent the West in the 67th Annual Montana East-West Shrine Game in Butte on July 20.
Included in this group are Polson’s Will Davey, Riley Sampson, Eric Williamson and Beau Mills, and Charlo’s Tra Ludeman.
One of the oldest high school all-star football games in the country, this event has been held each year since 1947 and raises money for the Shriner’s Hospital for Children in Spokane.
According to a press release, “the Montana game has become one of the top Shrine Games in the nation for hospital donations.”
It is the second year in a row that the Pirates have had three players named starters (Mills was named an alternate) for the prestigious game, while Ludeman becomes only the third Vikings player to receive the honor since 2000.
Though Davey was a stud two-way player for the Pirates this season he was selected to play safety in the game, a position at which he has been a two-time All-State and three-time All-Conference performer.
This season, Davey picked off four passes for Polson and picked up co-Defensive MVP honors in the Northwestern A Conference.
Another impressive two-way star for the Pirates, Sampson will be showcasing his talents as a guard in the Shrine Game after anchoring a Polson offensive line that helped the team rack up 3,218 yards of total offense this season.
Like Davey, Sampson is also a two-time All-State performer (two-time All-Conference) and hauled in co-Offensive MVP honors for the conference this season.
Another two-time All-State and All-Conference standout, Williamson wreaked havoc on opposing offenses this season as a defensive end and will represent Polson in the same capacity in Butte.
Mills has been named an alternate for the contest, but was just as impressive as his three teammates this season.
The inside linebacker earned a share of the conference’s Defensive MVP award en route to earning his first All-State and second All-Conference nods.
Only one other Northwestern A Conference player earned a spot on the starting squad in Frenchtown inside linebacker David Anderson, while teammate Dan Lebsock (RB), Whitefish players Logan Harwood (WR) and Wolfe Zinke (OT), and Columbia Falls’ T.J. Volkman (OG) were named alternates.
Ludeman was a jack-of-all-trades for Charlo this season, excelling on offense, defense and special teams en route to All-State, Western C Offensive MVP and All-Conference accolades.
For the Shrine Game, Ludeman will take the field as a return specialist. He racked up 467 yards and a touchdown as a returner for the Vikings this season.
Ludeman was one of just three Western C players named to this year’s starting roster, as Drummond’s Mac Bignell (OLB) and Superior’s Adam Kay (WR) also made the team.
Superior quarterback Billy Smith was named an alternate for the game.
Coaching the West squad for the game will be Arie Grey, who represented Deer Lodge in the 1997 game and led Butte to a Class AA state title this season.