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Blue Ponies ready to shine at Shrine Game

If you already find yourself counting down the days until the return of football season, chances are you are not alone. But don’t lose hope, because the annual Montana East-West Shrine Game is just around the corner.

Every year, dozens of prep football players from across the state are chosen to play in one of the biggest and the oldest high school all-star games in the country. And this year, the 67th Annual Shrine Game is set for Saturday at Naranche Stadium at Butte High School in Butte. The parade will begin at 10 a.m., and kickoff is set for 7 p.m., as Les Meyer of Fairfield will coach the East, and Arie Grey of Butte will coach the West.

This year, two Havre High Blue Pony football players were selected to play for the East.

And in recent years, Zach Plum and Thurman Holdsclaw were as good as they come for the Central A Ponies. Plum and Holdsclaw were both weapons on both sides of the ball.

Plum proved to be one of the top wide receivers in Class A, as well as number wise, one of the top corner backs the Ponies have had since Marc Mariani. And it is hard to find a position Holdsclaw didn’t play. Holdsclaw was a standout defensive end, as well as a key return specialist, running back, tight end and even quarterback in certain wildcat sets.

Both players made a name for themselves during the 2012 season, and have been rewarded greatly for their efforts. Both cemented their names in the Blue Pony and Montana record books on several occasions, as well as showed a couple schools they have what it takes to play at the next level. At 6-2, 210 pounds, Holdsclaw was selected as a tight end for the East. And at 5-8, 165 pounds — and after interceptions last season — Plum was selected as a cornerback for the East. After the Shrine Game, their final prep game of their careers, Holdsclaw will take his talents to the University of Montana, while Plum will remain in Havre, playing next season with the Montana State Universality-Northern Lights.

Plum and Holdsclaw could end up being crucial components in the East’s game plan this season. Plum’s speed and ability to be a ball hawk makes quarterbacks have to play a very accurate game in the air. And Holdsclaw’s size and strength results in a great effort on every catch, as well as incredible yards after the catch ability.

Both will look to play well Saturday, hopefully propelling their careers into the college ranks. The annual East-West Shrine Game will start at 7 p.m. Saturday in Butte.

 

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