Hi-Line Athlete Profile: Justin May, CJI

Throughout his high school sports career, Justin May has been setting records and putting up mind-blowing numbers. Now, one of the most decorated athletes in the history of the Chester-Joplin-Inverness Hawks will get one last chance to show what he can do in the 70th edition of the Montana East-West Shrine Game.

May, who earned Class C All-State honors for the Hawks in football and basketball, while also winning a state title in the long jump in track, said he was looking forward to taking the field and representing the Hawks in such a prestigious and storied event.

“It's a great honor,” May said. “There have only been a few guys from Chester to make it and I don't think anyone from Joplin has made it since like the ’70s, so it means a lot to me to play in it.”

May, who will play wide receiver Saturday night in Butte for the 70th edition of the game, which will be held on the campus of Montana Tech, will get a chance to experience playing on the field where he will play collegiately starting next season as an Oredigger commit.

“It's been good to get to be in Butte and get used to the field and the city,” May said. “I got to spend a week here for the Badlands Bowl, too, so that's been great for me to experience.”

Of course, for 8-Man football players like May, all-star games always have a little more meaning. Not only does it offer the chance to play 11-man football, but it also provides an a opportunity to play against some of the best football players the Treasure State has to offer.

Yet, as much as May wants to prove himself, he said he has also enjoyed the bond he has created with teammates, such as with former rival Kevin Young, who played for Chinook, CJI’s Northern-C rival. Young’s team beat May’s for the conference title and later went on to win the Class C 8-Man state championship.

“It's been really fun,” May said. “Kevin and I have had so many battles and competed against each other so much, that it's been fun for us to finally get a chance to be teammates and play with each other instead of against each other.”

May and Young will each take the field to represent the East team and the Hi-Line Saturday at 7 p.m., but before they do, the Havre Daily News caught up with the CJI star for five questions.

HDN: How do you think playing in this game will help you prepare for Frontier Conference football?

May: “I think it will help a lot. I have gotten to work with some great coaches and players. A lot of these guys are going to play for the Cats or Griz, so it's been great to compete against them.”

HDN: How much did it mean to you to finally win a state title in something (long jump)?

May: “It meant a lot to me. I worked really hard, and it was awesome to finally win one in something.”

HDN: What's been the best part of this week?

May: “Just being around the guys. I have made a lot of friends and it's almost like a brotherhood.”

HDN: Do you come into this game with something to prove coming from Class C?

May: “A little bit. I think it's good to show people that we can go up and play 11-Man football and that it's not that different.”

HDN: What is your goal for the actual game Saturday night?

May: “The biggest thing, honestly, is just going out and getting the win. That's really what I am hoping for.”