Polson linebacker duo shine at Shrine game
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BUTTE — An outgoing Pirate linebacker tandem made the most of their final game together.
Polson graduates Joe Andrews and Brock Picard terrorized the East’s backfield to help the West storm back from an 18-0 deficit for a 34-18 victory in the 64th annual Montana East-West Shrine Game at the Bulldog Memorial Stadium in Butte July 17.
Outside linebacker Andrews, who was only an offensive alternate a few weeks prior to the game, was awarded the West’s defensive MVP. The two-year Polson starter finished with two sacks and in double-digits in tackles, with many of them coming behind the line of scrimmage. The Montana Standard reporter covering the game wrote that Andrews was in the East’s backfield as much as their running backs.
The MVP award was just a bonus for Andrews, who was surprised to even be playing in the game.
“I was only an alternate a couple of weeks ago, so I wanted to make the most of my opportunity,” said Andrews, who will start practicing on the University of Montana Western Bulldog team in early August.
Playing next to somebody he has been playing with since the seventh grade made the game even more special for Andrews. With a crowd of nearly 6,000 and the money raised from the game going toward helping operate the Shriners Hospitals, Andrews was ready to play at the opening whistle.
“You’re playing for more than yoursel f... It just made you want to go hard every play,” Andrews said.
Picard was a four-year starter for the Pirates and three-time state wrestling champion. He will wrestle at Great Falls University.
