Trinastich most outstanding player at Shrine game

Jared Trinastich may be heading to the University of Montana-Western to play basketball this fall, but he proved he can still shine on the gridiron as well as the hardwood.

The Columbia Falls quarterback threw for 200 yards and two touchdowns in the 68th annual East-West Shrine game July 19 in Laurel. He was awarded the Roger Silvernale Memorial Award as the game’s most outstanding player for his effort as the West beat the East, 34-10.

Butte quarterback Dallas Cook first got the West on the board, connecting with Helena’s Troy Arntson for 20 yards over the middle, while Arnston ran another 58 up the seam for the score. Polson’s Brady Hislop connected on the extra point, four of five in the game, to give the West a 7-3 lead with 3:40 left in the first quarter.

The tide turned quickly, keyed by defensive pressure led by Whitefish’s Calub Thilmony. Starting at middle linebacker, Thilmony and the West stymied the East’s offene at every turn for the rest of the half.

After the West’s defense forced a three-and-out, Trinastich led the West down the field and found former rival Sean Foley of Whitefish on a 22-yard hook to the front corner of the end zone for the team’s second touchdown of the quarter.

Trinastich got it rolling again late in the second quarter, connecting on a fourth-down pass to move the ball inside the East’s 5-yard line.

Two plays later, Trinastich found Sentinel tight end Tyler Richtmyer leaking out on a play-action pass for a four-yard touchdown to give the West a 20-3 lead with less than a minute left in the half.

Trinastich finished the first half 11-for-13 passing with 135 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Trinastich was the Wildcat football team leader last year, taking the Cats to the state A semifinals in the playoffs.

West 13 7 14 0 - 34

East 3 0 0 7 - 10