North dominates South in 49th Shrine Bowl

CASPER, Wyo. (Wyoming News Now) - On the very first drive of the 49th Wyoming Shrine Bowl, the South team was able to stop the North on the 1-yard line to force a turnover on downs. Everything went downhill for the South from there.

The North was able to get the ball back, and Sadler Smith, the North quarterback from Jackson, punched it in from two yards out on fourth down on his second try. It was the first score of the game, and the North took a 7-0 lead that they would never relinquish.

Natrona County’s Billy Brenton picked off a pass on a tipped ball, which gave the North the ball back with less than a minute to go in the first quarter. That set up the North’s next touchdown, which was a 1-yard TD run by Kelly Walsh’s Cameron Burkett.

The North had staked themselves with a 21-0 lead at the end of the first half. In the second half, things did not change for either team.

Smith connected with Shoshoni’s Nathan Cousineau for a 39-yard touchdown, and Cameron Burkett added another rushing touchdown. The North defense didn’t let up either.

The South was able to muster up a field goal, but the North reclaimed the Shrine Bowl trophy with a 37-3 victory.

“It feels really good to win one more time on my field,” said Billy Brenton, who finished the game with an interception and multiple pass breakups. “It’s special. I like all those guys and they’re my favorites now. It’s one of my favorite games I’ve ever played and probably my [most fun] game I’ve ever played.”

“It felt amazing,” said Cameron Burkett, who finished with two rushing touchdowns and just under 50 rushing yards, after securing the win. “I’ve always wanted to blow some trash talkers out, and it felt nice to actually do it.”

Smith won the Offensive MVP, and Cody’s Daniel Gorman took home the Defensive MVP honors. The North increased its all-time series lead to 26-19-3.

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