The East capitalized on West team turnovers to win the Shrine Bowl football game in Emporia Saturday night 48-27.

The head coach of the West squad, Randall Zimmerman of Junction City, said it came down to turnovers. “We turned the football over, I think they had two defensive touchdowns.”A third touchdown came off a drive that began after a West turnover.

The East jumped out to a 19-0 lead in the first quarter but the West rallied in the first half to lead for a time in the second quarter 20-19.  In the fourth quarter the West trailed 40-27 but appeared to have held on a third-and-12 play deep in East territory before a penalty was called on the West. After that the East team put together a long drive that ended in the final touchdown of the game.

Mike McCoy, formerly of Topeka High, had a huge game. He scored four touchdowns and was named the MVP of the East team. Ian Rudzik of Ulysses, was the West MVP.

Two former Junction City Blue Jays turned in solid performances for the West team. Raye Wilson ran for one touchdown and caught another pass and ran for a second touchdown.  Christien Ozores had nine tackles and intercepted a pass from his safety position.

The Shrine Bowl matches the top high school senior football players from the previous season in the annual contest. The event also raises funds to support Shriner’s Childrens Hospitals.