2024 Shrine Game: Wolves dynamic duo selected to play at prestigious all-star event

There was fantastic news on Christmas Day for the Three Forks High School Football team, with two Wolves senior standouts selected to play in the prestigious Montana East-West Shrine Game scheduled for June 15, 2024, in Billings.

Following a banner year for the program that included their first playoff victory in decades, Colten Hayder and Shane Williams were selected to play defense for the West team.

Hayder will play at safety, and Williams will play at linebacker in the 77th annual all-star game that raises money for the Shriner's Hospital for Children in Spokane.

TFHS Head Football Coach Connor Sullivan said it was awesome to see two Wolves selected.

"They helped build our culture and were great players over the last four years for us. Most importantly, they're good kids. This game is for a great cause, and it means a lot to so many people. I'm happy to see their hard work pay off. I know they're excited, and we're excited for them," he said.

According to Sullivan, Rocky Mountain College bound Hayder was a huge playmaker in all three phases of the game for Three Forks.

"It's been great seeing his development from his freshman year to now. The work he put in and all the success he had is no fluke. He always understood the game, but all the work behind the scenes in the weight room and open fields really made him into who he is today. The sooner you understand that at a young age, the better you're going to be. Colten took that responsibility and really sprouted every year into an elite ball player for us. I'm excited to watch him at the next level," Sullivan said.

Looking back on Williams's career, Sullivan said he was a player you could lean on, no matter what.

"You knew what you were going to get out of Shane every game. He was a great leader for us and a tremendous all-around football player," said Sullivan. "Like Colten, Shane attacked the weight room and really got better and better every single year. I couldn't be more proud of these two for what they have done personally and for what they have done for our program. They led by example, and they both have a bright future ahead of them."

East-West Shrine Game

The Montana Shrine Game is the premier all-star game in Montana and has a long history of distinguished players and coaches. It is also one of the oldest high school all-star football games in America. Every year since 1947, Montana high schools' finest players are selected to compete in a game to raise money and to help make the public aware of the expert orthopedic and burn care available at the Shriner's Children's in Spokane, Washington. Expert care is provided regardless of the family's ability to pay. In recent years, the Montana game is the top high school Shrine Game in the nation for hospital donations. In the last ten years this game has raised over $1,000,000. Forty of Montana's finest are selected to compete on each team and two players from Canada will join them, one for the East and one for the West. The game also features Cheerleaders from throughout the state who have met a high standard of excellence at their respective schools.

The players & cheerleaders were nominated by their schools and coaches across the state, and finally selected as the "best of the best" to participate in the 76th Montana Shrine Game. They join an elite fraternity of players & cheerleaders, many of whom have gone on to distinguished collegiate and professional careers.