Dino Recruits to Represent Calgary at Montana All-Star Game

A pair of University of Calgary incoming freshmen offensive line players will close out their distinguished High School career south of the 49^th parallel.

Logan Bandy and Tyler Packer will compete against each in the 71^st Montana Shrine all-star football game in Billings, Montana on Saturday July 15 at Rocky Mountain College at 7 PM MST. This marks the fourth year that players from the Calgary High School League have been selected to compete in the event.

The Montana High School all-star game is one of the oldest in USA. Proceeds from the game go to support the Shriner’s Hospital for Children in Spokane, WA.

“It is great to see these players go down there and compete. It is important to us to keep the connection between us (Calgary Shrine Temple) and them (Montana Shrine). For the past, several years two U Sports players have competed in Tampa at the East West game, and we now have two our own players competing at the High School level,” states Al Azhar Potentate Karl Fraser.

Bandy, is a 6’5”, 250 lbs. offensive tackle will compete for East team coached by Chris Murdock of the defending state champion Billings Broncos. Bandy was a key player on the last year’s City and Provincial 4A Champion St. Francis Browns. He was in the CFC Top 100 graduating High School players last year and was recruited by numerous CIS schools.

He started for one year on the Alberta U16 team, and for two years on the Alberta U18 team. He was Lineman of the Year in the Calgary Bantam Football Association, and a league all-star in the Calgary Midget League in 2016 in the Mavericks organization playing for Scott Rideout and Todd McKay.

“I am extremely pleased to represent Calgary in this game. I could not think of a better way to represent my school and close out my High School career,” Bandy stated.  

The 6’6”, 285 lbs. Packer will lineup for the West team coached by Tony Arnston of Helena High School. A product of the Hilltoppers organization in the Calgary Minor Football Association Tyler won numerous awards as a youth player including winning the Aaron Neidergesaess Heart of a Champion Award in 2013 and 2016 and their Rookie of the Year in 2014. Packer also was starting member of the Hilltoppers Division II City Championship team and a Calgary Midget Football Association all-star offensive tackle in 2015. During a stellar high school career Packer was a CFC Top 100 player.

“This game means a lot to me with the charity and the hospital. It is a great opportunity to represent my school and be a part of an amazing cause,” stated Packer.

“I am confident both Logan and Tyler will be very good players in that game,” stated University of Calgary Head Coach Wayne Harris.

Both players received cheques from the Calgary Minor Football Association to help defray the cost of attending the practices and for other incidentals with respect to their trip.  

Finally, an interesting fact about the Montana Shrine Game, current Calgary Stampeders Head Coach Dave Dickenson was the Offensive MVP in 1991.