Kay and Smith named to Shrine team

SUPERIOR - When Superior seniors Adam Kay and Billy Smith take the field in July for the annual Shrine Game it won’t just be another opportunity for them to showcase their talents. It won’t just be another chance to test their abilities against the best players in the state. It won’t just be a return to playing 11-man football.

It will be a chance for the two to continue playing football together – something they have done since they were six years old. The chemistry built from those years of football together was apparent on the field during the Bobcats state championship run and both Kay and Smith said they are grateful for the chance to continue playing.

"It was amazing (getting named to the Shrine Team)," Kay said. "It’s sweet how all the classes are going to be there and we get to play 11-man. I personally like 11-man better and this is a big achievement."

Smith said being named to the team is "awesome" and echoed Kay’s thoughts of looking forward to playing against the best from the various Montana divisions.

"To really compare ourselves against AA kids, I mean they always get more credit than us," Kay said. "We can go out there and show them up."

Both players said the highlight of their football career at Superior High School was winning the state championship this year.

"It never really hit me," Kay said. "I didn’t even think I was in the state championship, it was just another game. Even after we won I was so in shock."

"You can’t explain it," Smith added. "It’s crazy."

Motivation to win came not only from their passion for football, but from an unlikely source as well – Facebook. Kay said prior to the championship game Facebook was "blowing up" with posts saying Superior was destined to lose.

"It just gave us more motivation," Kay said. "We had nothing to lose - they were obviously going to be the better team overall. We just came and played like we had nothing to lose."

After high-school, both Kay and Smith will attend Montana Western where Kay will study physical therapy and Smith plans to study elementary education.

Kay said he wants to continue playing football at Western and Smith is on the fence about the decision.

The Shrine game will be held on July 21.