The 62nd annual East-West Shrine Game takes place today in Great Falls, and regardless of who plays quarterback for the West, both athletes have connections to Helena.

The West’s two signal callers are Jared Hunt of Capital High and Butte Central’s Matt Ritter.

The obvious connection to the local area is Hunt, who last fall became only the second QB in Bruins’ history to win back-to-back state championships. Ritter’s ties to the Capital City are not that far removed, however, as his father Greg Ritter played football for Helena High and Carroll College; while his grandfather Russ Ritter (who also gridded for the Saints) still lives here.

Ritter, who broke one state scoring record and tied another last fall, was selected as the West’s offensive co-captain, along with Missoula Big Sky’s Beau Donaldson. The three defensive co-captains are tackle Brian Bignell of CHS, Butte Central’s Adam Fine and Tucker Hoge of Frenchtown. Bignell was tabbed the 2007 Class AA Defensive MVP.

Capital teammates joining Bignell and Hunt on the squad are receiver Casey Lamping, safety Joe Andriolo and offensive guard Shaun Sampson.

Representing Helena High in the Shrine game are cornerback Reil Cornelius, tight end/offensive tackle Steven Foster and outside linebacker Spencer Chamberlain. Foster was the recipient of the Montana Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame’s scholar athlete award.

Chosen as alternates were Capital’s Abe Smith (guard) and Kyle Beto (linebacker).

The West is looking to break the the East’s five-game winning streak. The Shrine game is set to kick off today in the Electric City at 6:30 p.m. at Memorial Stadium.

Reporter Curt Synness: 449-2150 or email curt52s@bresnan.net