Coaches start to meet the players (Casper Star-Tribune). … Kemmerer sends five to the game (Kemmerer Gazette).
–patrick
A week from today (Saturday), the 37th annual Shrine Bowl will be played in Casper. Practice starts today, with the teams’ annual trip to the Shriners Hospital for Children in Salt Lake City coming Sunday and Monday.
The official site for the Shrine Bowl, wyoshrinebowl.org, lists this year’s rosters for the North and South teams. I don’t think either team has an edge on paper; they both possess talented players who have the ability to play several spots and make big plays.
It’s worth noting that, including last year’s 3-3 “tie,” every Shrine Bowl since 2003 has been decided by 10 points or less. I see much the same sort of game shaping up this year.
The South team leads the all-time series, but just barely: 17-16-3.
If you want to see some Shrine Bowl records, click here.
Practices will go Tuesday through Friday in Casper, with the game set for a 7 p.m. kickoff at Cheney Alumni Field in Casper.
(And, as a former Midwest Oiler, I have to quickly recognize Midwest’s Kyle Redding, the first Midwest player to be selected for the Shrine Bowl in about 20 years… Nice job, Kyle!)
–patrick
The North’s Shrine Bowl team roster was released on Friday. WyoPreps and the Casper Star-Tribune carried the lists this week. Players on the North team include:
Buffalo: Donny Scantling.
Cody: Matt Frost; Stephen Petras; Shae Sandry; Jeremy Tuten.
Gillette: Alex Coolidge; Alan Sisel; Patrick Snead; Steven Turpin.
Hulett: Dylan Bush; Leland Pfeifer.
Jackson: Jack Maguire.
Kelly Walsh: Noah Creel; Thomas Manning; Lucas Nolan.
Lander: Hawk Cain; Garrett Irene.
Lovell: Tyler Anderson.
Midwest: Kyle Redding.
Moorcroft: DeeJay Hacklin; Shane Hadley.
Natrona: Taylor Villegas.
Powell: Joe Lujan.
Riverton: Kolby Slack.
Sheridan: Will Hendrickson; J.C. Hespe; Kody Williams; Austin Woodward.
Thermopolis: Colin Herold; Chris Leyba.
Wind River: Colton Blankenship; Doug Jordan.
Worland: Robert Heyer; Brad Hunter; Cody Smith.
Wright: Drew Hostetter.
Alternates: Bobby Anderson, Riverside; K.J. Blackburn, Rocky Mountain; Ryan Burget, Wright; Shawn Christiansen, Burlington; Shane Dickerson, Lovell; Andrew Georgen, Big Horn; Chayce Goton, Greybull; Derek Gregory, Newcastle; Trent Jordan, Wind River; Lex Leonhardt, Wind River; Andrew Orchard, Tongue River; Shelby Vinot, Wright.
Click here for the South team.
The game will be played June 12 at Cheney Alumni Field in Casper.
Thoughts? Which team do you think has the early advantage? Post a comment or seven below.
–patrick
The South Shrine Bowl roster was released on Thursday. The Star-Tribune and Wyopreps both carried the lists. Here’s who was chosen:
Burns: Frankie Vossler.
Cheyenne Central: Mike Davis, Kyle Grott, Levi Henrie, Conner Long.
Cheyenne East: Cheyton Vermillion.
Douglas: Tyler Crawford, Pierre Etchemendy, Quentin Kane, Colter McNare.
Evanston: Jose Campos.
Glenrock: Kyle Farley, Dustin Worthington.
Green River: Chris Andrews, Drew Martinez, Colter Rood.
Guernsey-Sunrise: Kevin Boomhower.
Kemmerer: Shane Corpening, Taylor Doherty, Eric Robinson, Cole Shimmin.
Lingle: Dakota Forkner, Mike Hill.
Mountain View: Preston Condos.
Rawlins: Trey Jebens.
Rock Springs: Welsey Padilla, Josh Ward, Riley Yerkovich.
Saratoga: Sam Gates.
Southeast: Dane Hansen, Tanner May.
Star Valley: Larry Chavez, Bill West.
Torrington: Mitch Schlager.
Wheatland: Tyler Smart.
Alternates: Todd Baker, Pine Bluffs; Sam Barnham, Torrington; Trent Beauxis, Evanston; Blake Condos, Lyman; Josh Conine, Cheyenne Central; Zack Ellis, Lingle; Chris Gorman, Pine Bluffs; Clayton Hollar, Rock Springs; Keith Jenkins, Wheatland; Jake Marcus, Douglas; James Montez, Hanna; Jon Sorenson, Laramie.
The North roster should be out soon. The game is June 12, 2010, in Casper.
The Shrine Bowl named its coaching staffs this week, and it was interesting to see how the groups came together.
The North squad will have some solid representation from Campbell County, as Wright’s Larry Yeradi, the head coach, picked up Gillette’s Vic Wilkerson and one of his own assistants, Doug Schrader, to help round out his staff. Riverside’s Michael McGuire (who is making the trip to Casper an annual event), Jackson’s Bill Wiley (and outgoing coach who gets a well-deserved Shrine Bowl nod on his way out) and Kaycee’s Dustin Sipe help round out the North staff.
The South staff doesn’t have any weak links, either. Head coach Jay Rhoades of Douglas pieced together a solid staff, including his own assistant, Wes Gamble, who had a ton to do with the Bearcats’ success this fall. Rock Springs’ Tony Yerkovich, Kemmerer’s Shawn Rogers and Saratoga’s Heath Hayes — all coaches who have been involved in this sport in the state for many years and who all have the respect of their coaching colleagues — join veteran Guernsey-Sunrise coach Casey Moats, who made the staff after his first year as a head football coach but earned his stripes as a longtime assistant with the Vikings.
IMHO, there isn’t a single undeserving coach in the bunch. I’ve talked to most of these guys at least once — many several times — and every single one has my seal of approval, something that’s all but meaningless to everyone but me…. but it speaks well of the Shrine Bowl that they were able to land such quality coaches for the big game.
More on the Shrine Bowl here.
–patrick
Oil Bowl gamer, sidebar and follow; and Central looks sharp through four games (Casper Star-Tribune). … Gillette-Cheyenne East (Gillette News-Record). … Worland-Wheatland and Riverside-Rocky Mountain (Northern Wyo Daily News, read it today before it’s gone). … Breaking news: Laramie will host state football championships (Laramie Boomerang). … Shrine Bowl presents $30,000 check (Billings Gazette).
–patrick
I’ve updated the Shrine Bowl results page to include some new information. Coaches have been added for every year and the 2009 result has been added to the list.
–patrick
I compiled these records using my “spare time” at the Star-Tribune. We ran the records in the paper last week leading up to the big game. Surprisingly, I didn’t hear a word about it, either good, bad or helpful. Anyway, the records ran here, and I’m posting them here, too. I plan on keeping these records up to date as the games and years go on.
–patrick
Shrine Bowl Records
Top three in each category, plus extras for North/South team records
From 1974-2009
Records from 1991-1994, 1996-1997 are incomplete; records from the 2009 game, which was cut short by weather, are not included
INDIVIDUAL
Total offense (passing, rushing and receiving)
308 Corky Davis, Natrona, 1975 (North)
291 Darin Schiller, Upton, 1984 (North)
204 Thaine Wilkins, Gillette, 2006 (North) (196 pass, 8 rush)
—
198 Scott Muir, Rawlins, 2001 (South) (74 rush, 124 receive)
Carries
44 Travis Bandemer, Laramie, 1988 (South)
28 Larry Deal, Natrona, 1976 (North)
27 Steve Dover, Kemmerer, 1975 (South); Terrence Johnson, Central, 1980 (South)
Rushing Yards
177 Steve Dover, Kemmerer, 1975 (South); Travis Bandemer, Laramie, 1988 (South)
145 Matt Romanowski, Rock Springs, 2003 (South); Mark Ruggles, Laramie, 1992 (South)
—
140 Jim Pehringer, Sheridan, 1987 (North)
Passing Attempts
45 Darin Schiller, Upton, 1984 (North)
35 Thaine Wilkins, Gillette, 2006 (North)
30 John McDougall, Cody, 1986 (North)
—
29 Kyle Crandall, Evanston, 2008 (South)
Passing Completions
22 Darin Schiller, Upton, 1984 (North)
18 Thaine Wilkins, Gillette, 2006 (North)
16 Corky Davis, Natrona, 1975 (North)
—
13 Kyle Crandall, Evanston, 2008 (South)
Passing Yards
315 Darin Schiller, Upton, 1984 (North)
277 Corky Davis, Natrona, 1975 (North)
204 Adam Fitch, Gillette, 2001 (North)
—
189 Corey Bramlet, Wheatland, 2001 (South)
Touchdown Passes
4 Darin Schiller, Upton, 1984 (North)
3 Thaine Wilkins, Gillette, 2006 (North); T.J. Ramaeker, Gillette, 1999 (North)
2 Brick Cegelski, Cheyenne Central, 2007 (South); Levi Greenwood, Big Piney, 2006 (South); Ben Trautwein, Wheatland, 1994 (South); Brooks Shepard, Wheatland, 1985 (South); Blake Scott, Douglas, 1984 (North); Mark Martini, Sheridan, 1983 (North); Dave Gosnell, Kelly Walsh, 1981 (North)
Catches
8 Chuck Johnson, Sheridan, 1984 (North)
7 Clifford Hill, Natrona, 1975 (North); Jeremy Zebroski, Lander, 1995 (North)
6 Scott Cogdill, Natrona, 2004 (North); Darren Neely, Cheyenne East, 2008 (South); JeNey Jackson, Guernsey, 1993 (South); Eric Naugle, Sheridan, 1986 (North); Elivis Cooper, Rawlins, 1978 (South)
Receiving Yards
151 Chuck Johnson, Sheridan, 1984 (North)
133 Clifford Hill, Natrona, 1975 (North)
125 Robb Lewis, Natrona, 1981 (North)
—
124 Scott Muir, Rawlins, 2001 (South)
Touchdown Catches
3 Blake Richendifer, Douglas, 2007 (South)
2 Ryan McGuffey, Riverton, 1999 (North); Wes Davis, Evanston, 1994 (South); Jon Schroeder, Douglas, 1985 (South); Brent Saunders, Evanston, 1984 (South); Chuck Johnson, Sheridan, 1984 (North); John Robinson, Kelly Walsh, 1984 (North); Robb Lewis, Natrona, 1981 (North)
Field Goals Made
4 Brooks Paskett, Riverton, 1998 (North)
2 Jonathan Haidsiak, Rock Springs, 1999 (South); Jason Yockey, Meeteetse, 1994 (North); Chris Michie, Rawlins, 1986 (South); Dennis Rate, Natrona, 1980 (North)
Longest Field Goal
48 Jordan Abrams, Star Valley, 2008 (South)
47 Dennis Rate, Natrona, 1980 (North)
44 Brooks Paskett, Riverton, 1998 (North); Sean Powers, Gillette, 1989 (North)
PAT Kicks Made
4 Larry Demshar, Rock Springs, 1993 (South)
3 Kraig Tafoya, Cheyenne Central, 2006 (South); Dusty Rodriguez, Laramie, 1994 (South); Sean Powers, Gillette, 1989 (North); McKay Erickson, Star Valley, 1985 (South); John Mitchell, Sheridan, 1983 (North); Ken Crouse, Kelly Walsh, 1982 (North)
TEAM
Total offense
(possible record set by 1997 North team, which ran for 488 yards)
439 South, 2001
438 South, 2003
422 North, 2001
Offensive Touchdowns
5 South, 1985
4 North, 1983; North, 1984; South, 1988; South, 1991
Rushes
74 North, 1976
72 South, 1988
71 South, 1979
Rushing Yards
488 North, 1997
438 South, 2003
366 South, 1981
Passing Attempts
46 North, 1984
37 North, 2006
32 North, 1986
—
29 South, 2008
Completions
22 North, 1984
18 North, 2006
17 North, 2004
—
15 South, 1980
Passing Yards
315 North, 1984
277 North, 1975
207 North, 1986
—
189 South, 2001
Points
39 North, 1983
37 South, 1985
36 South, 1993
Total Touchdowns
6 North, 1983
5 South, 1985; South, 1993
First Downs
24 South, 2007; North, 1983
22 South, 2001
Defense
Yards Allowed
7 South, 1974
61 North, 2005
74 South, 1979
Rushing Yards Allowed
-17 South, 1974
2 South, 1979
19 South, 1985; South, 1986
—
27 North, 2005
Passing Yards Allowed
0 North, 1981; North, 2003
2 South, 1979; North, 1976; North, 1975
Interceptions
7 North, 1989
4 South, 1974
3 North, 2008; South, 2002; North, 1998; South, 1986; South, 1976
First Downs Allowed
3 North, 2005; South, 1979
4 South, 1974
Fumble Recoveries
5 North, 1981
4 South, 2007; North, 2000; North, 1980; South, 1978
The 2009 Shrine Bowl ended with 10:32 remaining in the second quarter — a 3-3 tie that will allways remain a game of what could have been.
Severe weather forced the game’s premature ending. Tornado warnings were issued for Natrona County during the game, as were severe thunderstorm warnings.
The decision to take the teams off the field and clear the stands proved to be the right move about a half-hour after the game ended. The game was called off at 8:09 p.m.; by 8:30, lightning was popping all around Cheney Alumni Field, and by 8:50 lightning and hail made any outdoor activity potentially life-threatening.
The shame is that by 10 p.m., the storm had moved east and the game could have continued.
The game was called by the Casper Police Department, who had to make a decisive choice. They went with safety, and by 9 p.m. that looked like the right move.
By 10 p.m., it looked like they could have waited.
The problem came not with the players finding safety on the field — it came with the fans finding safety off of it. Getting more than 2,000 people organized and safe is a problem, especially when you consider that most of these fans had no place to hide when the storm approached. During one first-quarter delay, which ate up about 25 minutes before play resumed, about 1/4 of the fans remained in the bleachers because there was nowhere for them to go — the bowels of Cheney Alumni Field, as well as the halls of Natrona County High School, were already filled with fans waiting out the delay.
It’s unfortunate that if the game had been less popular, it might have been able to be finished.
That said, the Shriners will still come out ahead — the crowd, and therefore the gate and the donation to the Shriners Hospital, was outstanding.
Those that will suffer are those who win only if the game rolls on — the booster clubs from NC and KW running the concession stands, the t-shirt and sweatshirt salespeople and the advertisers who missed out on their in-game promotions.
Everyone who was a part of this game deserved to see it finished. But everyone who was a part of this game also deserved to be safe. And I think I’d rather be disappointed than unsafe.
–patrick