PENDLETON — Pendleton’s Karsten Bracher and Thaiden Cannin find themselves on the East roster for the 71st Oregon East-West Shrine Game, leading a parade of local football players selected to play in the game.

“I nominated them,” Pendleton coach Erik Davis said. “They are both very deserving. I thought they would be very good players for that. I have coached in it and it’s a great experience. Any kid that gets picked, it’s a great opportunity. I think Karsten will be a good representative.”

Cannin, unfortunately, had to give up his spot on the team.

“I wish I could, but I’m going on a trip to Japan the week of the game,” Cannin said.

Also selected to the East team were Landon Mitchell of Heppner, Connor Logan of Stanfield and Mazon Langford of Weston-McEwen.

On the alternate list are Caden George of Heppner, Pablo Arellano of Stanfield, and Caleb Sprenger and Alejandro Ceja of Weston-McEwen.

For Heppner, it’s the 34th year in a row the Mustangs have had a player selected to play in the game.

The game is set for July 27 at Baker High School. Last season the East defeated the West 14-6. The East leads the series 35-32-3.

Coaching the East will be James Stradley of Stanfield, Gary Prince of North Bend, Pard Smith of Crook County and Corben Hyatt of Summit.

“This is a huge opportunity,” Stradley said. “I think this summer will be a good opportunity to see what the Shriners do, and good for me for gaining knowledge.”

Stradley was part of the selection committee and was a voice for the small-school players.

“Coaches gave us game film and advocated for their players,” he said. “That really helped. The game reaches across the classifications, and my voice was heard. I could vouch for kids who might not get attention statewide. The Baker quarterback (Paul Hobson) is special. I’m glad that Connor (Logan) is getting one last chance to play before he moves on to do other things.”

The number of small-school players on the roster is limited, but Stradley said there are always a certain number of players chosen who cannot play in the game, which opens the door.

“When an alternate needs to be called, a lot of kids from Stanfield, Heppner, Weston-McEwen, Dufur and Crane can make the trip to La Grande easier than the kids from Bend or Portland,” he said.

Bracher, a tight end and linebacker, was a unanimous pick for Greater Oregon League defensive player of the year. He also earned 4A first-team all-state honors as a linebacker. The 6-foot-1, 230-pounder had 69 tackles with three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. He had 13 tackles for loss.

Langford was a first-team Blue Mountain Conference pick and a first-team 2A all-state player at linebacker.

Logan was a first-team BMC receiver and defensive lineman. He finished the season with 36 tackles and 12 sacks.

Mitchell, who was Heppner’s quarterback and a defensive back, missed part of the season with an injury. Defensively he had 24 tackles, three interceptions and a fumble recovery in six games. On offense, he threw for 787 yards and 12 touchdowns, and ran for 121 yards and one touchdown.

The players will report to Eastern Oregon University in La Grande for practice the last week of July. The players will practice and also have activities as a group.

The first East-West Shrine Game was held in 1952. Over the years, the event has raised more than $5 million in support of the Shriners Children’s Hospital in Portland.

East roster

Ty McLaughlin, Elgin; Korben Storns, Gold Beach; Landon Mitchell, Heppner; Thomas Bischoff, Regis; Noah Koenig, Regis; Connor Logan, Stanfield; Mazon Langford, Weston-McEwen; Quinton Buckland, Elmira; Brett Highburger, Elmira; Adrian Stubbs, Lakeview; Justin deSmet, Sisters; Cort Waggoner, Siuslaw; Jacob Logan, South Umpqua; Timothy Ferch, South Umpqua; Brooks Haueter, Vale; Colten Stepleton, Vale; Caden Negra, Ashland; Paul Hobson, Baker; Kade Rudi, Baker; Logan Whitlock, Henley; Chris Janney, Henley; Canyon Niblett, Marshfield; Armando Galindo, Mazama; Tyson Van Gastel, Mazama; Karsten Bracher, Pendleton; Thaiden Cannin, Pendleton; Treyden Lucas, Bend; Juston Brehm, Crater; Diego Salas, Eagle Point; Braden Bailey, Summit; Zach High, Summit; Micah Hanna, Thurston; Trace Brenner, Caldera.

East alternates

John Jannuzzi, Enterprise; Carter Nicholas, Crane; David Bouska, Marshfield; Isaac Alameda, Redmond; Jacob Chenoweth, Oakland; Isaiah Meshintubby, Churchill; Dion Wright, Parkrose; Kai Lewis, Ridgeview; Mathias Shae, Parkrose; Carter Nores, Caldera; Alex Finley, Grant Union; Caden George, Heppner; Jack Brinkhouse, North Eugene; Kollin Schumacher, Regis; Owen Graham, Lakeview; Ty Percell, Oakland; Bryson Livingston, Eagle Point; Ashton Fields, Redmond; Cole Hansen, North Bend; Johnny Brabb, Redmond; Pablo Arellano, Stanfield; Hudson Spike, Baker; Shaunathan Wilder, North Bend; Brock Lewis, Hidden Valley; Bo Messerle, Coquille; Elijah Gliddon, Union; Caleb Sprenger, Weston-McEwen; Charlie Miller, Regis; James Baimbridge, Oakland; Deakon Looney, La Pine; Alejandro Ceja, Weston-McEwen; Tanner Wright, Gold Beach.