East holds on for Shrine Bowl win

PITTSBURG — The East squad survived a second-half rally by the West here Saturday night and prevailed in the annual Kansas Shrine Bowl by a score of 21-14 at Pittsburg State’s Carnie Smith Stadium.

Fort Scott High 2018 graduate Andrew Callahan played on the line for the East squad, which scored touchdowns on each of its three possessions in the first half. In February, Callahan signed a letter of intent to play at Butler Community College this season.

The East got touchdown runs from Lenexa St. James back Jack Petz in the first quarter and St. Thomas Aquinas running back Tristan Davis in the second.

The East squad’s MVP, Marysville quarterback Jack Blumer, ran in from one yard out to cap the first-half scoring. The East outgained the West 190 total yards to 30 in the first half. The East ran 39 plays, 22 more than the West did.

Scott City’s Jarrett Jurgens got the West on the board in the third quarter on a 7-yard run. Derby’s Brody Kooser scored on a 7-yard jaunt up the middle in the fourth.

The East finished with 260 yards of total offense. Petz rushed for 53 yards while Blumer passed for 66. The West finished with 154 yards of offense led by Jurgens’ 54 on 12 carries.