Area Fall Sports 2015

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September 2015

BLUE PONY GOLF SCHEDULE Sept. 11 Sept. 17 Sept. 18 Sept. 26 Oct. 2-3

Lewistown (V-JV) - Pine Meadows 9:30 Billings Central - Eagle Rock Laurel Divisionals - Lewistown State - Sidney

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Blue Pony golf teams on the links

George Ferguson Havre Daily News sports editor gferguson@havredailynews.com While most area fall sports are just now getting underway, the Havre High golf teams are already halfway through their 2015 season.

And so far, it's been so good for the Blue Ponies.

Under third-year head coach Brett Gilman, the HHS squads return key players, and those players are already shooting good scores, which means the second half of the season could be an outstanding one for the Ponies.

The Blue Pony boys have a handful of experienced players, who have put some work in on the course this summer. Havre, which would have finished third at the Class A state tournament last October in Hamilton had it not been for a rule that only allowed divisional qualifying teams to score at state, returns all four players who played in the state tourney field.

That rule has since been changed, but it shouldn’t matter to the Ponies, who will be a Central A and Class A favorite this season. The Ponies are favored because of their talent and experience, with the return of seniors Jerod Boles and Jeff Miller, as well as juniors Dustin Haas and Kane Gabrielsen. All four have been to state each year of their high school careers. Miller and Boles were Class A All-State a season ago, while all four of HHS’ top players should contend for those honors this season. According to Gilman, they’re all interchangeable.

“With the crew we took to state last year all returning, I’m expecting our boys to be in the hunt for trophies, both at divisionals and state,” Gilman said. “That should be the goal.

“They are all four very close as far as how they play. They all shoot pretty much the same scores,” he continued. “So who’s number one or number four is pretty irrelevant with this group. It’s how they do to-

Havre Daily News/George Ferguson

The 2015 Havre High boys and girls golf teams pose for a team photo before the Havre Golf Tournament Aug. 20 at Prairie Farms Golf Course. The Blue Ponies' season is already nearly a month old, and all HHS players are playing well. gether. And I think they should do very well this season."

A total of 11 boys are out for golf this season, but the Ponies have plenty of experience and depth.

Havre lost senior Wyatt Lindbloom from the varsity last season, but juniors Trey Hanson and Aden Passon both have varsity experience and will battle for that full-time role this season. Hondo Owens, Kyle Kirkpatrick, Ryan Bakke, Gavin Mosbrucker, Tucker Carlson and Nic Keller are all upper classmen with experience as well.

Interestingly, the Havre girls have experience, too. The Ponies reached the state tournament as a team last season, even with four first-year golfers in their lineup. All four of

those girls are now a year older, and together with experienced seniors Randi Gabrielsen and Payton Howard, Gilman has a strong lineup to work with again.

“Our girls team has a good mix of players,” Gilman said. “We’re a young team overall, but a lot of those younger players already have state tournament experience. And we have some freshmen out with a lot of promise and potential, so it’s good.”

Gabrielsen was Havre’s top scorer a season ago, while Howard, who missed last season with injuries, had a strong sophomore campaign.

Add to that Mackenzie Tilleman, Regan Lammers, Grace Litzinger and Jordan Keith, who all played in

the 2014 state tourney, and the Pony girls have a great group to build on. Also, the arrival of a freshman class that features Teagan Fee, Kinzee Peterson and Marcee Murphy gives the Pony girls plenty of added depth not just for this season, but for seasons to come.

Of course, Havre’s schedule is also one that certainly helps prepare the Ponies for the postseason, which will see the Central A divisional tournament played at Pine Meadows in Lewistown and the Class A state tourney take place at Sidney Golf Club in Sidney. Havre not only travels to tough courses like Meadowlark Country Club and Eagle Falls in Great Falls, but also Laurel Country Club and Eagle

Rock Golf Club in Billings. The Ponies also host a pair of tournaments in Havre, including the Havre Golf Tournament next Thursday at Prairie Farms Golf Course and the Havre Invitational Sept. 5 at Beaver Creek Golf Course.

“Our (players) get exposed to different types of courses,” Gilman said. “The majority of them are nine-hole courses so they see some unique and interesting holes. But they play a lot of courses that really help prepare them for the end of the season. We play at Lewistown every year, and divisionals is there this year, so that always helps to know the course like that. But we play a lot of courses that will challenge us and make us better.”

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Beeters poised for more success Bears set up for a big season Chinook looks to continue volleyball dominance

Chris Peterson Havre Daily News cpeterson@havredailynews.com

George Ferguson Havre Daily News sports editor gferguson@havredailynews.com Chinook has been a Class C power in athletics for quite some time now. And one of the sports the Sugarbeeters have dominated over the years is volleyball.

As much as the rest of District 6C would like to see that change, it’s not likely to happen in 2015.

Even after graduation saw several All-Conference Beeters leave the program last spring, Chinook should, once again, be a 6C powerhouse. The Beeters went undefeated in conference play a year ago, and won their second straight 6C East championship before they saw their season end in the fourthplace match at last year’s Northern C divisional.

Now, Chinook, and third-year head coach Mollie Rose, return a loaded roster with talented seniors and juniors, all of whom have a lot of playing experience, not to mention athleticism.

The Beeters did lose several key players, like middle-hitter

Havre Daily News/Roger Miller

The 2015 Chinook High School varsity volleyball team poses for a team photo recently at the Chinook gymnasium. After going undefeated in the District 6C East and winning their second straight conference championship in 2014, the Sugarbeeters are once again picked to be the top team in the league this season. Chinook hosts its own invitational tournament Sept. 4-5.

Katelyn Neibauer, and several other All-Conference seniors. But that doesn't seem to change the fact that everyone is picking the Beeters to be the top team in the 6C East, yet again.

“I’m looking forward to this season,” Rose said. “It should be another good one for us. We have a lot of girls back, and we have quite a few experienced players.”

The experience and talent starts with standouts like Brooke Nicholson and Cortney Gunderson, both of whom are multi-year starters. Lauren Harshman is another

standout who was a major contributor a season ago.

But the talent doesn’t stop with that trio. Kailee Kleinjan, Taylor Neibauer, Nicole McCracken, Brooke Elliot, Kelsey Mathon, Sierra Swank and Abigail Ellison all have volleyball experience and plenty of athletic ability too.

The Beeters also have depth, which is something that’s pretty rare in Class C volleyball. With the likes of Rio Overcast and Hailey McMaster on the roster as well, The Beeters’ depth gives them a strong advantage in a 6C

East which also includes talented teams like North Star, Chester/J-I and Fort Benton.

But depth isn’t the only thing the Beeters have going for them.

With the deep roster comes multiple players who can be effective at every position on the floor, and that, too, will aid Chinook in its quest for continued dominance in the 6C. “We’re going to be pretty athletic,” Rose said. “And we’re usually a pretty good passing team. We also have some young guns in the front row, so I think we’ll be pretty

strong at the net, too.”

Yes, there’s no doubt the Beeters have all the ingredients to, once again, be the cream of the 6C crop.

But, Chinook would also like to take it further and return to the state tournament.

“I think we can have a good season,” Rose said. “These girls work really hard and have a lot of fun.

So we expect to have a really good season again.”

Chinook opens its season at Fort Benton, then plays at the Malta Invitational before hosting the Chinook Invitational Sept. 4-5.

The Box Elder football team is looking to reach new heights in the 2015 season, and for the Bears that means working their way into the Class C Six-Man playoffs.

The Bears, who are traditionally strong in football have come close in each of the past two seasons, posting a 3-5 record in 2013 and a 4-4 record a season ago. But, unfortunately, both times the Bears came up just one game short. And while Box Elder may have a new head coach in Neal Rosette Jr., their goal has stayed the same.

"I think that if we can break through and make the playoffs that would be a huge thing for our program," Rosette said. "It's something that we haven't done in probably 25 years, but I think we have a really good shot this year.

Obviously, the Northern division is always very tough, but we feel like we will be right there at the top with everybody else."

Part of the reason why the Bears are so optimistic about the 2015 season is the return of Brandon The Boy, who will be the team's starting quarterback for the fourth straight season. The Boy, who is also a basketball star for the Bears, earned All-Conference honors at quarterback a season ago and will lead a talented offensive attack that features fellow All-Conference receiver Jerrod Four Colors as well as running back Bodis Duran.

The Boy and Four Colors, who are both seniors, formed one of the best quarterback-receiver combinations in the North division. And with the ability to throw the football, in addition to a solid ground game led by Duran, Box Elder finished last season scoring more than 41 points per game.

And down the stretch, the Bears offense really became prolific, scoring more than 50 points in three of their last five games, while scoring at least 41 in the other two.

"Brandon is a big part of our team," Rosette said. "Having him

Havre Daily News/Chris Peterson The 2015 Box Elder football team takes a team photo one week before its opening game of the new season. After just missing the Six-Man playoffs the last two years, the Bears are a strong playoff contender in 2015. back as a our starter and having Jerrod to throw the ball is a big part of our offense. Bodis is also going to be my running back. He had a really great year last year and we will rely on him a lot."

However, the Bears are about much more than just three players. Box Elder also returns the likes of Shane Ketchum, who will play receiver and tight end, as well as Jake Jones, who will play some receiver, tight end and running back. Pernell Morsette, who was a solid contributor off the bench for the basketball team a season ago, will also work into the mix at both receiver and running back.

"We have a lot of talented athletes on our team," Rosette said.

"These kids have stuck it out, they have worked hard in the offseason and in the weight room. I think we have a chance to put together a great season and hopefully that will make other kids want to be a part of the football program so we can keep building on it."

Of course the biggest obstacle standing in the way of a Box Elder playoff berth in the treacherous North division, which features perennial state-title contender Denton-Geyser-Stanford as well as defending Six-Man state champi-

ons Gerladine-Highwood.

Yet, as tough as those teams are, the Bears also have the deal with the North Star Knights, who have been a playoff team year in and year out under head coach Steve Simonson, as well as Sunburst, which edged out the Bears for the final berth a season ago.

Valier, Big Sandy, Heart Butte and Augusta will also be in the mix.

"The North is always going to be tough," Rosette. said. "GeraldineHighwood lost a lot of players to graduation but you know they are still going to be good. North Star is a good team, DGS will be tough.

It's a tough division but we really

feel like we can compete with any team."

Box Elder has a tough schedule, starting with Geraldine-Highwood.

Then, they will travel to Valier Sept. 4, before returning home for their first home game of the season against Sunburst Sept. 12. It will be an exciting year for the Bears and with so much on the line, each and every game will prove to be important.

"We are excited to get the season going," Rosette said. "These boys have worked really hard and hopefully all of that hard work pays off this season."

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Box Elder spikers excited about the future Chinook ready for more gridiron magic George Ferguson Havre Daily News sports editor gferguson@havredailynews.com

The Box Elder Bears needed a shakeup with their high school volleyball program and the way to do it was to bring back former Bears alum Kristie Pullin to take over as head coach of the program.

Pullin actually was brought in near the end of last year for the final three weeks of the season after the dismissal of the previous head coach. In those final three weeks under Pullin, the Bears made progress and even took Chester/J-I, a very strong volleyball team to five games at the district tournament before Box Elder was defeated and ousted from the tournament.

This season, Pullin believes that the Bears will sneak up on some people. More importantly, Pullin is just starting the process of building up the program. So far, she has 13 girls, just enough for a varsity and a junior varsity squad, but she wants more and from the sounds of it, so do the kids.

"We have 13, so that's enough to get some of our younger girls experience playing at the JV level," Pullin said. "But I really like the way the girls have approached it. They have had really good attitudes and have been working really hard.

They are really coming together as a group and as a team and that is really good to see. They want to do well and they are fired up about playing."

Pullin, who was previously the head coach of the Bears from 2006 to 2008, said she was excited about returning. She thought that the team really improved over the last

three weeks and even said some fellow coaches made note of the change in her team at last season's District 6C tournament.

"I remember some of the coaches coming up to me and telling me how much better the team was playing," Pullin said. "Tyra Gopher, she really came on at the end of the year and that was a big part of it. I think that she hits the ball as hard as anyone in our district. I am always telling our girls, if you can dig her, you should be able to dig anybody."

Gopher will be an important part of the Bears’ attack this season as she will be counted on to kill more balls and score more points than any other player. She will also be counted to help protect the net and will make a big part of the Bears' block up front.

Yet, one change that Gopher and her teammates have had to undergo with Pullin is the change of her offense. In the past, the Bears used a two-setter offense and this season, Pullin has decided to change that to a one-setter offense.

"We want to be the aggressive team," Pullin said. "We want to be attacking our opponents and attacking the ball, not just sitting back and waiting for things to happen."

Another key component of the Bears' offense will be Tia Russell.

Russell, along with Gopher, is a standout on the basketball floor.

Last season, she was a setter but, seeing that she is one of the most athletic girls on the team, Pullin decided to move her to a hitting position, which should help the offensive attack be even better.

"It has taken some time for Tia

Talented Sugarbeeters look to build on 2014 state title game run Chris Peterson Havre Daily News cpeterson@havredailynews.com

Havre Daily News/Chris Peterson

The 2015 Box Elder volleyball team takes a team photo earlier this season. The Bears have a new, but familiar head coach in Kristie Pullin, and optimism is high in Box Elder this fall. to get used to being a hitter," Pullin said. "And she has told me many times that she is frustrated. But, I think in the end, it will be the best thing for the offense. We are still early in the season and at some point, I know she will catch on."

The other girls who will see time on varsity this year for the Bears are Kendal Chandler, Trystan Abeita, Maddie Wolf Chief, Eve The Boy, Lillian Goper, Nikayla Anderson, Tesla Belcourt, Lanie Ameline, Miranda Raining Bird and Tallen

Oats.

"I really think that we are going to surprise some people this season," Pullin said. "I don't know if we will get out of districts, but I definitely think that we are going to be a lot better than people think."

The 2014 football season was a memorable one for the Chinook Sugarbeeters and, if they have anything to say about it, 2015 will be just as memorable, or even more so.

Chinook, which won the Northern C Division of 8-Man football a season ago and came within one win of the state championship before falling to Wibaux, may have lost some talent and experience from last season’s team, but the Beeters are driven, maybe more than ever, to stay on top.

“Since this is only my second year back in coaching, I don’t really know what it takes to stay on top,” Chinook head coach Scott Friede said. “That is something we will figure out as the season goes along. But, it’s kind of cool being on top. I know I would much rather start from the top position than down near the bottom.”

In order for the Beeters to defend their Northern C title and make another run at a state championship, they will need to overcome the loss of players such as All-State performers Gavin Gunderson and Lane Seymour.

Gunderson starred at running back for the Beeters and also at linebacker, while Seymour played both linebacker and wide receiver.

Both players were consistent playmakers and were a big reason why the Beeters made the run they did down the stretch last season.

Chinook will also have to replace other key contributors such as Lane Seymour, fullback Thomas Reid, Cody McCracken and Zach Schellin.

But, great programs have one thing in common: They don’t rebuild, they reload, and that appears to be exactly what the Beeters are doing this season.

Havre Daily News/Roger Miller

The 2015 Chinook varsity football team poses for a photo at Hoon Field in Chinook. The Sugarbeeters reached the Class C 8-Man state championship game last season and should again be one of the top teams in the Northern C this fall.

“We lost some really good seniors from last year’s team,” Friede said.

“And it’s hard to replace guys like Gavin Gunderson, Thomas Reid and Lane Seymour, as well as a bunch of others. They just bring so much to your team in terms of leadership and toughness. We will miss that.

But, we have some talented players returning and many of them have a lot of experiencing playing, so I definitely look at that as a big advantage for us.”

The Beeters, who finished 10-3 overall a season ago, may have lost their best running back and their best pass-catcher, but one thing they didn’t lose was their quarterback. That’s because Ian McIntosh, who has been starting for the past two seasons for Chinook, returns for his senior year, and according to Friede he has taken control of the offense.

“Ian has really taken control,” Friede said. “He has really stepped up as a leader and he is someone

we are going to count on a little more this season. But, he is a great kid and a great competitor. We are lucky to have him.”

McIntosh wasn’t always efficient a season ago, completing just 48 percent of his passes. Yet, he had a penchant for making the big play and averaged 147 passing yards per game to go along with 30 touchdowns and just eight interceptions.

The soon-to-be three-year starter, also was second on the team in rushing behind only Gunderson with 414 yards and 12 touchdowns.

McIntosh may no longer have Seymour to target with his throws, but he does have his other favorite target from a season ago — Kenneth Pruttis, who hauled in 16 passes for 260 yards and five touchdowns.

“Kenny really got things going for us in that championship game when nothing else was working,” Friede said. “And to me, I think he is capable of being a college level receiver. He has great hands and

is a great athlete. I don’t know if I know how to coach a college receiver, but I think he’s talented enough to be one.”

In addition to McIntosh and Pruttis, the Beeters have seven other seniors who will contribute on both offense and defense in Jake Norby, who is a tight end/safety, Travis Hamilton, who plays center, Derek Bell, who starts at fullback and linebacker, as well as Kevin Young and Jesse Dannels, both of whom will see time on the defensive line.

Owen Powell and Spencer Willman also add to the senior class.

Chinook also has a number of juniors who will look to take big steps forward in 2015 and one of them is running back Tate Niederegger.

Niederegger played behind Gunderson as a sophomore and racked up 308 rushing yards on 37 carries, which was good enough for an 8.3 yards per carry average. He also scored four touchdowns. He will

take on the starting role, but the Beeters will also hand the ball at times to Kade Friede, who is also a linebacker and the backup quarterback. Wade Schneider and Michael Warburton are two other juniors who could see time on the offensive and defensive lines.

“We have 33 kids total out to play football and that’s something that is really exciting,” Friede said.

“But we also have a lot of kids that played last year. So they know what it takes to win those tough games and execute in those key moments.

They did it last year, it was tough then and knowing the Northern C it will be equally tough this season.”

The Beeters, who will battle it out with the likes of Belt, PowerDutton-Brady, Chester/J-I, Simms and Great Falls Central for the top spot as well as one of the league’s four playoff berths, will open their season on the road at Centerville Sept. 5.

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Big Sandy spikers are more experienced this fall The future is looking bright for talented Pioneers George Ferguson Havre Daily News sports editor gferguson@havredailynews.com

Havre Daily News/Roger Miller

The 2015 Big Sandy varsity volleyball team takes a fun team photo recently at the Big Sandy High School gym. The Pioneers have a lot of returning talent and depth after being one of the youngest volleyball teams in all of Class C last season. Big Sandy also has a new head coach in Mickey Pansch.

A year ago, the Big Sandy Pioneers were definitely in a rebuilding mode on the volleyball court.

In fact, Big Sandy started more freshmen a year ago than they did upperclassmen.

Now, however, those freshmen are a year older, and with a new head coach in Mickey Pansch, the Pioneers are looking to improve on a fifth-place finish in the 6C East in 2014.

Big Sandy has talent, there’s no denying that, but the Pioneers will still be a very young team this fall.

Many of those young players have at least one year of varsity volleyball under their belts.

Jenna Leader, Jessica Roth and Maddie Reichelt were all young standouts for the Pioneers a year ago, and they will be expected to lead the way again this season.

But that trio has help, too.

Big Sandy’s roster also includes plenty of strong athletes including, Andrea Ruttledge, Cheyenne Pegar, Dakota Terry, Jasmine Genereux, Lisa Pegar, Molly Cain and Sophie Reichelt.

Together, that group will try to climb the ladder in what is a tough 6C. With teams like Chinook, North Star and Chester/J-I ready to be the top teams in the league, the young Pioneers will have an uphill battle. However, with the talent and experience Big Sandy has, they’ll look to be the surprise team of the 6C this coming season.

“Yes, our district is tough once again,” she said. “Chinook returns some great players, North Star has a lot of girls returning and Box Elder has really improved a lot.

They were really tough last year.

And Big Sandy was a really young team last year. So this district is really tough, and with volleyball, you just never know what’s going to happen.”

The Pioneers open their season with a home match against Belt, and then a trip to the Belt Tournament, before playing the North Star Jamboree.

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Harlem enters a new football era

Havre Daily News/Roger Miller

The 2015 Harlem High School varsity football team poses for a team photo at Wildcat Field earlier this summer. The Wildcats are looking to break through this coming season after going winless a year ago. And they have a new head coach leading them in Kelly Mills. Still, with tough teams to face in the District 2B, the Wildcats will have an uphill battle again this season.

Chris Peterson Havre Daily News cpeterson@havredailynews.com The Harlem Wildcat football team has long been a respectable program. Former head coach Joe Shupe worked hard to make it so, but now, the Wildcats have a new man in charge.

His name is Kelly Mills and when it comes to Harlem football — he is thinking big.

Mills is no stranger to high school football, in fact he has been in the coaching business for more than a decade, with the last seven spent as the head coach of a high school program in Arkansas.

“At my last job, when I got to the school there had never been a football program there,” Mills

said. “So there are some similarities between that school and here.

They obviously have been playing football and have a good tradition, but in terms of numbers of players and things like that, it’s very similar. But, we have some good athletes, we just want to try and get them to buy in more to the football program here. That’s our goal.”

There is no doubt that the Wildcats have some good athletes, but Mills and his team will still need to overcome a recent history that has not been so kind. Over the past two seasons, the Wildcats have posted a 1-15 record and are currently in the midst of an 11-game losing streak.

Mills believes, though, he has some ideas that can get the program turned around.

“I come from Arkansas and down there we ran a no-huddle, hurry-up type of system, so that is what I want to bring here,” Mills said. “So we are working with the kids on getting that system put in, but I am also really focused on just trying to build those relationships. I want to get these kids in the weight room lifting and having a real commitment to playing football, so that is the biggest focus for me right now.”

The key to installing Mills’ nohuddle offense may be the quarterback position and that’s where sophomore Tevon Messerly will come in as he will take control of the offense. Having a young quarterback can make things difficult, but it also provides hope for the future, which is something Mills is focusing on.

“It’s a new system and he’s just a sophomore, so it will be a challenge for him,” Mills said. “But, I think it’s going to be a good thing.

He can be a starter for us for three years, which will be a big positive and so far he’s done well.”

While Messerly will be a big key in the offense, junior running back Damon Adams will also play a pivotal role, as will slot receiver Tyus Hammett, who is also a junior.

“In my offense, the quarterback, the running back and the slot receiver are the three biggest parts,” Mills said. “None of those guys are real big, but they are all quick and they all run the ball well.”

One thing that will hinder the task of Mills and the Wildcats getting a win this season will be the difficulty of the Northern B football conference, which includes

perennial powers such as Malta and Glasgow, as well as Poplar and Wolf Point.

Yet, the Wildcats non-conference schedule isn’t much easier as they will play at Shelby to open the season, as well as nonconference games against Roundup, Cut Bank and Conrad.

Regardless of whether or night the losing streak ends this season or not, Mills is in for the long haul and he is determined to do whatever it takes to put Harlem football on the map.

“I think that there is a lot of potential here,” Mills said. “I came here a year ago on a mission for my church and just knew this was the place for me. I am excited about building this and getting the program headed in the right direction.”

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Wildcats will compete on the court George Ferguson Havre Daily News sports editor gferguson@havredailynews.com One thing the Harlem Wildcats always do, regardless of the sport, is compete. The school is known for its athletic teams always being very competitive and for always playing hard to the end.

That is especially true for the Harlem volleyball team. Success has been minimal over the years

for Harlem in volleyball, but, the Wildcats always compete hard and always seem to put together a team that’s tough to beat.

And that’s what Harlem is hoping to be again this season – competitive and tough to beat. Under head coach Kim Faulkinberry, who also has her husband, legendary wrestling coach Lyle Faulkinberry, on her staff this season, the Wildcats are hoping to be a team that the rest of the District 2B will have to contend with.

The Wildcats were that a season ago, though it didn’t translate into too many wins. But, Harlem also lost a ton of experience of that team from last season, meaning the Wildcats will be a younger team this fall.

Still, numbers are good as Harlem has a strong program in that regard, and the Wildcats do have leaders too. Brooke LeValdo is back to lead the Wildcats this season as one of their most experienced players. Anita Bentley and

Jazzmyn Benson are two more players who have playing time at the varsity level and should help the Wildcats tremendously this season, as will Emma Humphreys, who attends Turner, but plays volleyball at Harlem.

In all, the Wildcats have 16 players on their roster this season, which means Faulkinberry will have some depth to work with, as well as a solid group of young players in which to build for the future.

But building for the future isn’t all Harlem wants to do. The Wildcats want to compete in the 2B, just as they always try to do. The conference is led by tough teams like Malta and Glasgow, while Wolf Point should also be strong. The league did lose Plentywood, which dropped to Class C, but it will still be a strong volleyball conference again this season.

Harlem began its season at the Malta Invitational, and will open district play this week.

Havre Daily News/Roger Miller

The 2015 Harlem High School volleyball team poses for a team photo before a practice earlier this summer. The Wildcats have strong numbers and plenty of enthusiasm as they head into another season of Class B volleyball.

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Pioneers on track to improve on the field Chris Peterson Havre Daily News cpeterson@havredailynews.com The Big Sandy football program has a strong and proud tradition.

In fact, the Pioneers played for the Class C Six-Man state championship earlier this decade. But, they have fallen on hard times, which is something second-year head coach Walt Sivertsen is hoping to change.

Sivertsen and the Pioneers were 3-6 a season ago in his first year at the helm. And while the Pioneers did not win as many games as they hoped, a mid-season victory over eventual playoff team Sunburst has given Sivertsen hope that his team can compete and contend and in the difficult North Division of Six-Man football.

“We did OK last season,” Sivertsen said. “I think we struggled a little bit with the aggressive side of things and that cost us a couple of games, I think. Two teams we lost to at home, we beat the team that beat both of them, so it was just us not being aggressive enough, I think.”

Big Sandy is a young football team and the Pioneers will be without their stud running back Kyle Strutz, who earned All-State honors a season ago but graduated last season. In all, the Pioneers lost six seniors.

“We have a pretty young team,” Sivertsen said. “We have three seniors, three juniors, three sophomores and one freshman. So we have 10 kids right now and that is probably all that we will get. But they are all looking pretty good and they are working hard.”

One positive is that the Pioneers do return their starting quarterback from a season ago and that is Zach Works, who played well for the team a year ago and Sivertsen is hoping for good things from him this season.

“He has played quarterback for the last two years for us,” Sivertsen said. “And he has been looking really good in practice, so we are expecting a lot from him this season.”

At running back, an important position in six-man football, the Pioneers will be looking to replace Strutz with a committee approach that features senior Josh Solf as well as junior Laurence Alderdice, in addition to Weston Alderdice.

Duke Darlington will also lead the way for the Pioneers on defense at the linebacker position.

“Josh is a fast kid; he runs track and is one the faster kids in the state so we are hoping for big things from him,” Sivertsen said.

“But Laurence has also looked really good and so has Weston, who

is just kind of a bull back there.”

One of the biggest challenges for the Pioneers will be playing a loaded schedule thanks to the overall strength of the North division.

Not only does Big Sandy have to compete against defending Class C Six-Man state champion Geraldine/Highwood, but also perennial state title contender Denton-Geyser-Stanford as well as North Star, which seems to be in the playoffs each year and Box Elder, which has come up a game short from making the playoffs two consecutive seasons.

That doesn’t even include Sun-

burst, which earned the fourth and final playoff berth from the division a season ago or Valier, who should also be in contention this season.

Big Sandy will also do battle with teams such as Heart Butte and Augusta.

“There has been some changes, Geradline/Highwood graduated a lot of players but they will still be tough,” Sivertsen said. “North Star is going to be tough, DGS should be really tough and Box Elder will be too because they have a ton of experience. It just kind of boils down to how hard we play. I have

Havre Daily News/Roger Miller

The 2015 Big Sandy football team poses for a team photo after a summer practice. The Pioneers are looking to be much improved this season. been telling our guys that I know we can beat some of these teams, we beat them some of these teams last year, but it comes back to how hard you want to play and how bad you want it.”

Big Sandy opened its 2015 at home against arch rival North Star.

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Blue Ponies ready to embrace being a Class A power

The Mark Samson era at Havre High begins Chris Peterson Havre Daily News cpeterson@havredailynews.com The excitement level surrounding Havre High football is always high.

But in 2015, the excitement levels are reaching a crescendo as the combination of a talented roster and the addition of head coach Mark Samson have sent expectations soaring through the roof.

In truth, expectations are always high when it comes to Blue Pony football. After all, the program has qualified for the playoffs in seven straight seasons. Yet, HHS has not captured a conference championship since 2011 and hasn’t played for the state championship in over a decade, which is something that Samson and the Ponies are hoping to change sooner rather than later.

“I think that the kids are really excited right now,” Samson said.

“They are hungry. They want to have success and they have worked really hard throughout the offseason and during these first couple weeks of practice. I don’t sense any entitlement from them. I mean, we have talented kids and they know they are good, but I think they really want to be great.”

As excited as the players are, Samson’s enthusiasm may trump them all. Samson, who was formerly the head man at Helena Capital, where he won three Class AA state titles, and at Montana State UniversityNorthern for the last 10 years, where he took the Lights to the NAIA national playoffs, is looking forward to his opportunity to coach the Ponies and can’t wait for the football season to get started.

“I have really enjoyed working with these kids,” Samson said. “They are excited about playing football and that’s something that can take us a long way. But even as we were driving over for our scrimmage (at Blue Pony Stadium) I was getting excited, too. It feels good to be back on the field.”

One reason so much is to be expected from Havre football this season is its almost gluttonous amount of skill positon players. The offense will be led by three-time All-State quarterback Dane Warp, who enters his senior season just shy of Montana’s all-time high school record

for passing yards.

Warp is also coming off a stellar junior season in which he completed 68 percent of his passes, while throwing for 2,629 yards to go along with 27 touchdown passes as opposed to just five interceptions. He also averaged an astonishing 12.6 yards per attempt, which is off the charts.

Warp may be the key cog for the Pony offense, but he is far from the only one. All-State wide receiver Parker Filius is also coming off a season where he racked up 60 receptions, 996 yards from scrimmage and 12 touchdowns. The junior was the Ponies’ leading receiver with 724 yards and the team’s second-leading rusher with 272.

Beyond Filius, the Ponies are returning each of their four leading receivers from a season ago and that doesn’t even include senior Nate Rismon, who earned All-Conference honors as wide out in 2013 but was only able to play one game a season ago after breaking his leg in the opening game against Whitefish.

“We have some really good skills guys and a lot of depth there,” Samson said. “It has taken them some time to adapt to our system. But they are doing well. Dane is doing a good job for us. He’s trying to play the position the way that we want him to and is trying to see things the way that we see them as a coaching staff.”

In addition to Filius and Rismon, the Ponies have four other players who will see time at receiver this season. They include Isaac Warp, who caught 40 passes for 620 yards and six touchdowns last year as a sophomore, Nate Korb, who caught nine passes a season ago, Jacob LaBrie, who had 21 receptions for 276 yards and seven touchdowns, and Ivar Aageson, who is playing his first year of varsity football after missing last season due to injury.

At running back, the Ponies will be equally good thanks to the return of junior Jase Stokes, who rushed for 415 yards on just 58 carries a season ago, which is good enough for a whopping 7.8 yards per carry, while also reaching pay dirt 10 times. Stokes can also catch the ball and was third on the team in receptions a season ago with 28 for 358 yards and two scores.

Joining Stokes in the backfield

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at Miles City vs. Sidney at Browning vs. Park (Homecoming) at Belgrade vs. Fergus at Polson 1st Round Playoffs Qtr. Finals Semi-Finals Finals

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er a year ago and will play inside in defensive coordinator Jared Wirt’s 3-4 scheme. Filius, who was a safety a season ago, will move into the box as an outside linebacker. Dane Flammond will man the other outside linebacker spot, while JayR Caplette will play inside alongside Stokes. Sedahl will also get reps at linebacker Up front, Adams, who earned AllConference honors a season ago at defensive tackle, will play defensive end. Gabrielsen will play opposite of Adams at the other end spot and Sienkowski will be the nose tackle.

In the secondary, the Ponies are loaded. Rismon will return to his spot at corner this season, while Aageson will take over the starting job opposite him. LaBrie, and Keegan Kennelly will also see time at corner and at safety. The starting tandem will be Nate Korb and Logan Pleninger, with Dane Warp potentially seeing some snaps in key situations.

September 2015

“We have a lot of depth in the secondary,” Samson said. “Rismon has been playing well. Aageson has gotten bigger and is doing a nice job.

Nate Korb is going to be a really good one and Logan Pleninger has really had a good summer. I think the kids are still adjusting to some things, but we are going to blitz a lot and try to put pressure on the other team and I think as we get more comfortable, you will see a really great defense.”

The Ponies, who lost in heartbreaking fashion 48-47 in overtime to Miles City in the Class A state playoffs a season ago, are looking for redemption this season and after opening the year with their annual BNSF Trophy game against the Whitefish Bulldogs, will host the Hardin Bulldogs at Blue Pony Stadium.

FALL SPORTS PREVIEW

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Stars working hard on the football field

Chris Peterson Havre Daily News cpeterson@havredailynews.com

Havre High Varsity football team under new head coach Mark Samson this fall. will be starting fullback Chris Gabrielsen, who may also see time at running back, as well as fellow running backs Jazz Schroeder and Jake Sedahl.

Of course the big key for Havre, as with any football team, is the play of the offensive line. With just one starter returning from a season ago, there is work to be done. Yet, with senior Travis Adams manning the left tackle spot, Cole Keller at center and Thomas Keith at right tackle, Samson feels good about his offensive line, despite the question marks at guard where multiple players including Jared Sienkowski, Eddy Ducharme, Cody Rennick, Josh Rodarte, John Berg and Austin Burnside will compete for playing time. And at tight end, the Ponies will also be looking for good things from Alex Stilger and Will Thomas.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Ponies will be led by Stokes and Filius, who each excelled a season ago. Stokes played middle lineback-

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It's time for another football season for the Rocky Boy Stars, yet unfortunately, once again Rocky Boy will not be able to field an 11man varsity roster for the ranks of Class B. As they have done in the past, the Stars will simply play a junior varsity schedule.

Long-time head coach Rick Sunchild, is back at the helm for the Stars for another season and after posting a solid 5-4 record in junior varsity action last year, including a win over the Havre froshmore team at Blue Pony Stadium last fall, there was optimism regarding the Rocky Boy football program.

Yet, with only about 12 kids out to play football thus far and only a few more expected when school begins, the Stars have fallen short yet again of Sunchild's long soughtafter goal of bringing Rocky Boy back to the ranks of varsity football.

"It's really hard to try and get enough kids to support a varsity team for 11-man football here," Sunchild said. "Basketball is still the big thing here. The kids just aren't as interested in competing and playing football as they are playing basketball. If they put the same focus and energy into football, I think we would be pretty good because we have some really good athletes, just a lot of them don't play football.

"But, I am looking at some of the younger classes and they seem more interested in playing football, so that's good to see," he added.

"My goal, long-term, is to play varsity football again, but I just don't know if that will ever happen with us in Class B and having to play 11man. That's my goal, but the most important thing for me is to give any kid, who wants a chance to

play and compete, the opportunity to do that."

At this point, the Stars are going to be very young again, but they do have some promise with the return of sophomores Kordell Small and Ben Iron Eyes. Both Small and Iron Eyes play the quarterback, running back and receiver positions for the Stars and each stood out in the game against Havre last season.

So their return is a big positive,

along with the return of sophomore tight end Jarrell Gopher. The lone senior set to play for the Stars at this point is Perfiro Zarco, who did not play for the team last season.

"It's hard for us to really know what our numbers are going to be until school starts," Sunchild said.

"But when it's all said and done we will probably have somewhere between 12-15 kids playing and that just isn't enough to play a varsity schedule. I like these young guys,

and I think they have some talent, so I hope that they stick with it and that some other kids start to take an interest in it. But last year was a pretty good year for us. We won five games and we had some good kids stick it out, which was a good thing to see. I just hope the freshmen and sophomores we have now, will keep playing because if we can keep them with the program and add more as they get older, we might actually be able to play a

varsity schedule. But, we will see, it's always going to be tough for us to do."

Unlike in years past, the Stars will not open their season with the Havre High junior varsity team, instead they will travel to Shelby Sept. 8, to take on the Shelby JV in the opening game of the 2015 season for the Stars. The Stars will also play Havre High sub-varsity teams twice this season, once in Havre and once in Rocky Boy.

Havre Daily News/Chris Peterson

Members of the 2015 Rocky Boy football team pose for a photo after a recent practice in Rocky Boy. Once again, the Stars will be playing a junior varsity-only schedule this season.

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Morning Stars are young on the court HHS harriers

BLUE PONY CROSS-COUNTRY SCHEDULE

ready to run for a new coach

George Ferguson Havre Daily News sports editor gferguson@havredailynews.com

Sometimes, with how popular the sport of basketball is in Rocky Boy, sports like volleyball get lost in the shuffle a little bit. But longtime head volleyball coach Ty Watson always remains optimistic when a new volleyball season rolls around.

Watson was optimistic a season ago when Rocky Boy battled hard in the difficult District 1B, a district that includes one of the top programs in Montana in the Choteau Bulldogs. But after a respectable 2014 campaign, the Morning Stars will have to reload this season, and reload they’re trying to do. Watson says the Morning Stars still have talent and have good numbers out for the team this season, but they’ll be much younger than they were a year ago.

"We graduated a lot of talented players from a season ago," Watson said. "So we have a lot of young players. We have a few seniors and a few with some experience, but mostly our lineup will be all new."

The Morning Stars have few varsity holdovers from last season, and even less total experience. But one

Josh Holt now in charge of Blue Pony Cross Country teams Chris Peterson Havre Daily News cpeterson@havredailynews.com

Havre Daily News/Chris Peterson

The 2015 Rocky Boy volleyball team poses for a team photo in Rocky Boy. The Morning Stars are coming off a strong 2014 season but will have a fairly young and inexperienced team this fall under veteran head coach Ty Watson. thing they do have is athleticism, led by veteran Jurnee LaForge, as well as Sean Henry.

From there however, Rocky Boy is young and otherwise inexperienced. The rest of the varsity roster includes, Jillian Top Sky, Juanaya Gamble, Kiara Small, Kristie Parker, Leilani Denny and Talia Stephens. That group will make up the bulk of Watson’s rotation as Rocky Boy continues to battle in the tough 1B. "The biggest thing for us is we just need to learn how to play together," Watson said.

"Some of the girls still have to learn the system a little bit and get more comfortable.

But, I think we have some

good athletes and that we will be able to compete. We just need to come together."

Of course, coming together is tough to do considering how tough Rocky Boy’s schedule is. The Morning Stars not only have to face Choteau twice, but also the likes of Conrad, Cut Bank and Fairfield two times as well. In all, Rocky Boy is not only in the toughest district, the 1B, but also the toughest division, as the Northern B is rough and tough to navigate every year.

Still, Watson is a veteran head coach, and he continues to get volleyball to be much more popular in Rocky Boy. Despite his young team, he says he knows the Morning

Stars will play hard and be tough to beat this season.

"Our goal is just to go out there and compete," Watson said. "We have a lot of girls out to play, which is good. And we have to a lot of work to do but things have gone well so far."

Rocky Boy opens its season at the Malta Invitational.

New head coaches have been the trend when it comes to Havre High athletics this fall, and that trend continues with the Havre cross country teams as Josh Holt takes over the program for the 2015 season.

Last season and for the past few years, the Ponies have been in the middle of the pack when it comes to Class A cross country on the boys side as well as the girls.

A season ago, at the Class A state meet, the Pony boys notched a 12th-place finish, while the girls ended up finishing 13th.

Even though they were not a state title contender a year ago, the Ponies do have some promising runners back for this season, along with a slew of talented youngsters.

That and the enthusiasm and the new training regimen brought by coach Holt may be just what the doctor ordered for the HHS cross country team to excel.

"My biggest goal this year is just trying to build a program," Holt said. "We have a few seniors but we have a lot of young kids and they are really excited about it, so that has made the training a lot of fun. We have been working with the kids on all sorts of things from their technique, to pace, really just teaching them about the broad spectrum of running. We also have gotten them in the weight room to try and have that strength and balance as well, and so far it has gone really well. The kids have trained hard and they are really taking to what we are teaching them, so I really think we have a chance to surprise some people."

One nice thing for Holt is that when he came in for his first season at the helm for the Ponies, he did not take over a program in which the cupboard was bare, in fact it's far from it, especially on the girls team.

Havre not only returns its top individual performer from a season ago in Rachel David, who finished 12th at state last season, but the Ponies also return others with varsity experience such as Marca Herron, Meggie Zook and Rainey Stoner. HHS did lose both Morgan and Tori Mazurkiewicz to graduation but, overall, Holt feels good about the talent coming back on the girls team, especially with some of the young talent that is starting to emerge.

"Rachel hasn't been practicing with us because of some previous work commitments, but she trained with us during the offseason," Holt said. "So we will need

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to get her up to speed, but she is a great runner. And I think we have a lot of other talented runners that want to do well."

In addition to the three returners from a season ago, the Pony girls will also be looking for others such as Alara Vogel, Hannah Lunak, Nicole Parsons, Payton Healy and Adrienne Miller to compete for time on the varsity squad.

On the boys side of things, the Ponies will be also be counting on three that have state experience.

The first is Brock Ross, who finished 72nd at state a season ago, followed by Austin Jones, who was 78th and Cameron Knapton, who was 83rd.

The Havre boys will also be

at Malta at Mountain West - Missoula at Browning at Great Falls (Eagle Falls) at Havre at Shelby (JV) at Helena (Preview Meet) Divisionals at Browning State at Great Falls

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counting on other runners to step up and fill out the varsity roster and those who will be in contention include Andrew VandenBos, Bobby O'Leary, Lane Paulson, Barrett Kilgore, Jacob Keller, Noah Azure, Vander Swenson and Zach Barnes.

"This year really will be a building year for us but I still believe that we can surprise some people," Holt said. "I think that we have some good things and once they start to get down some of these things that we are teaching we could really take off. Honestly, I think that we have enough talent and depth that we can surprise some people this season. I really do."

The Ponies will start their season Sept. 4 in Cut Bank, with es-

sentially a time trial that will go a long way in determine the varsity spots for the rest of the season.

Then a couple weeks after that, HHS will take part in one of the most prestigious meets in the state of Montana, when they run at the Mountain West Classic in Missoula Sept. 19. But, as this point, Holt isn't looking too far into the future; he is just focused on his team taking to the fundamentals.

"Running is a very fundamental thing," Holt said. "So we want to make sure we have that good technique and are doing every thing we can to help these kids do things the right way. If we can do that, I think we will be successful this year and in the long run."

Havre Daily News/Chris Peterson

The 2015 Havre High cross country teams pose for a team photo. Under new head coach Josh Holt, the Blue Ponies will open their season this weekend in Cut Bank.

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Business as usual for talented Knights Hawks ready to soar on the football field Chris Peterson Havre Daily News cpeterson@havredailynews.com

George Ferguson Havre Daily News sports editor gferguson@havredailynews.com It seems like, there is never a season when the North Star High School volleyball team isn’t a major factor, both in District 6C East play, and in the Northern C. And the 2015 season won’t likely be any different as the Knights just continue to be one of the premier volleyball teams on the Hi-Line.

Once again led by head coach Angel Beamer, the Knights will be contending for the 6C East crown this fall. North Star finished second in the conference a year ago, and, despite the loss of key seniors likes Mackenzie Hansen and Tylynn Rettig, it should be business as usual again for the Knights.

North Star returns a host of talented players, and, like they have every, the Knights will have depth and height to their advantage.

Kiera Miller, Samantha Pester and Sheridan O’Neil were all All-Conference performers a year ago, and together, they will form a tough trio at the net for the Knights.

North Star has always been a strong blocking team, and the Knights will be again this season.

The Knights also return two more veteran varsity players in Graysen Spicher and Sheridan Spicher, both of whom saw significant time for the Knights a year ago.

But the roster doesn’t end with the talent and veteran leadership the Knights possess. They have plenty of youthful talent, which only adds to North Star’s already strong depth.

The Chester/J-I football team has a strong tradition of excellence.

The Hawks are used to playing in the playoffs and in big games. Last season, however, C/J-I fell just short of the postseason, but with a group of talented players returning, the Hawks have their sights set high in 2015.

Led again by long-time head coach Jim Vinson, the Hawks finished 4-4 a year ago but, thanks to an impressive win over Great Falls Central, they stayed in the playoff hunt up until the final week of the season, but were knocked out

Rounding out North Star’s roster is the likes of, Lily Pedersen, who also saw varsity time a year ago, as well as Chelsea Donaldson, Jewel Wicks, Paij Peterson, Peytan King and Sheridan Pena.

That group will not only provide depth for the Knights, but will also make the Knights strong for years

to come.

And strong is what the Knights always aspire to be in volleyball.

Their tough rivalries with Chinook and Chester/J-I will continue this season, and those matches will once again decide who will be crowned district champions at the end of the season, though the upstart Box

Elder Bears will also hope to figure into that mix as well.

And make no mistake, North Star is definitely gunning for, and has the talent to be 6C East champions this season.

This weekend, the Knights will host their annual North Star Showcase in Rudyard and Gildford.

following a defeat at the hands of Chinook. This year, C/J-I is looking to use that experience as motivation to navigate the always-difficult Northern division of Class C 8-Man football.

"The kids are really looking forward to this season," C/J-I head coach Jim Vinson said. "They are motivated because we missed the playoffs last year. We were close but didn't quite make it, and we want to try and get back there this year."

The Hawks will be helped in their cause by the return of AllState running back Justin May, who dominated for C/J-I a season ago, racking up 837 yards rushing on 132 carries, which was good enough for a yards per carry average of 6.3. May also added 15 rush-

ing touchdowns to go along with 44 receptions for 352 yards and eight receiving touchdowns.

May is receiving interest from both the University of Montana and Montana State, as well as from teams in the Frontier Conference recruiting-wise. While he was great on offense, he was just as good on defense for the Hawks, totaling 61 tackles, five interceptions and three passes defensed.

"Justin is obviously a great player for us," Vinson said. "He is a kid with some special abilities. He has great speed, but he has good size, too, and he is an important player for us on both offense and defense."

However, the Hawks are set to bring back much more than just

Havre Daily News/Matthew Strissel

The 2015 North Star volleyball team takes a team photo prior to the start of the 2015 season.

The Knights return a wealth of talent and are poised to continue being one of the top teams in the District 6C East.

Havre Daily News/Chris Peterson

The 2015 Chester/J-I football team takes a team photo before the start of the football season. The Hawks return plenty of firepower and are ready to make a playoff push in Class C 8-man this season.

May, as the team also returns its starting quarterback from a season ago in senior Brandon Ricther, as well as its backup quarterback in junior Cory Richter.

Brandon Richter was the guy a season ago and after throwing for 776 yards, 11 touchdowns and eight interceptions, he is going to be taking the majority of the snaps again this year. Yet, Richter is much more than a pocket passer and was also second on the team in rushing behind May with 516 yards on the ground in addition to eight touchdowns.

Cory Richter is another quarterback who is a versatile athlete and when he is not under center, he will be playing wide receiver, where he was second on the team a season

ago with 17 receptions for 263 yards and a pair of touchdowns. The C/JI offense will also benefit from the return of Troy Harmon, who will be the team's starting tight end after missing all of last season due to an injury.

"Offensively, we did some good things last season and with the guys we have back, I think we can be pretty explosive," Vinson said.

"We have our top two quarterbacks back, which is always good. It never hurts to have experience at that position and with Justin and Brandon running the ball, as well as Cory and Troy out there as receivers, we are looking pretty good."

Of course the Hawks will have to battle it out with the rest of the Northern C for one of the four playoff spots available and after having four teams from the conference in Chinook, Belt, Great Falls Central and Power-Dutton-Brady make it to the state quarterfinals a season ago, finishing in the top four will prove to be no easy task.

Yet, the Hawks are not deterred.

Vinson said he knows how tough the Northern C is because it is that tough every single year. This season, he expects it be no different, but he believes strongly that his team is ready for the challenge and that when all is said and done, they might just find themselves near the top of the heap.

"The Northern C is always tough," Vinson said. "We don't have any games that are easy. Even Centerville and Cascade should be improved. I don't think either of those programs will let that tradition go.

Fort Benton is also playing varsity again this year and they aren't just going to let that tradition go either.

Chinook should have a good team again this year, so should Belt and PDB, we just have to play good football every week and take it one game at a time."

The Hawks started their march toward the playoffs with a home game against the Fort Benton Longhorns.

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C/J-I spikers are on the rise

Havre Daily News/Chris Peterson

The 2015 Chester/J-I volleyball team poses for a team picture prior to the start of the 2015 season. With a host of returning starters, the Hawks should be one of the contenders in the difficult District 6C East this fall.

George Ferguson Havre Daily News sports editor gferguson@havredailynews.com There’s no denying the long-term success the Chester/J-I Hawks, and before that the Chester Coyotes, have had on the volleyball court. For decades, they’ve been one of the top volleyball programs on the Hi-Line and in all of Class C. But over the last couple of seasons, the Hawks have had some growing pains due to inexperience and youth. However, in 2015, the Hawks are looking to build on the momentum they ended the 2014 season with.

The Hawks finished third in the District 6C East a year ago but rallied to make it all the way to the Northern C Divisional

tournament. Even though C/J-I head coach Windie Goldhahn had to replace a couple of key seniors from last year’s squad, she’s more than excited about the upcoming season.

“It’s been a lot of fun so far this season because we do have a core group of girls that have played together before and have already built that relationship with each other on the court,” Goldhahn said. “So, it’s nice to feel like we’re not starting from scratch this year. We have returning starters, so we feel like we already have a solid foundation to work from.”

Among those returnees is senior setter Madeline Woods, who Goldhahn said will be huge for her Hawks this season. C/J-I also returns a pair of talented middle hitters in Allix Goldhahn and Erin Wolfe. Those two will provide defense and power in the middle, while outside hitter Krista Dahinden is also back, as is Kylee Vinson.

While that group will provide the Hawks with leadersip, experience and talent, C/J-I also has the depth it may have lacked a year ago. With the likes of Jereca Tempel, Kate Hansen, Korrin Harmon, Kayona Fraser and Gabby Mangold rounding out the varsity roster, C/J-I is much more experienced and much deeper this season.

Still, coach Goldhahn admits that things are never easy in the 6C East, and she doesn’t see anything different when it comes to district play in 2015.

“Yes, our district is tough once again,” she said. “Chinook returns some great players, North Star has a lot of girls returning and Box Elder has really improved a lot.

They were really tough last year. And Big Sandy was a really young team last year.

So this district is really tough, and with volleyball you just never know what’s going to happen.”

One thing Goldhahn does know though is that her team loves to play and loves to compete, and with the talent and athleticism the Hawks have, she says 2015 is going to be a lot of fun.

“We’re really hoping to improve on where we ended up last season,” she said. “It’s a new season and you never know what’s going to happen, but our girls are working really hard, and they are a fun group. So I think this season is going to be a lot of fun.”

The Hawks open their 2015 season with a match against Dutton-Brady, as well as a trip to the Sunburst Invitational.

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North Star tackles a new season Chris Peterson Havre Daily News cpeterson@havredailynews.com The North Star Knights have been to the Class C Six-Man playoffs so many times in recent years it’s becoming old hat, and that’s a trend that head coach Steve Simonson and his Knights will work hard to continue in 2015.

“We expect to be in the playoff hunt ever year,” Simonson, the long-time head coach of the Knights said. “And we are expecting to do the same this season. We lost some players, but we have some good kids back and I think we will be one of the better teams in our division.”

Of course, the Knights play in the very difficult Six-Man North Division, which not only features defending Six-Man state champion Geraldine/Highwood, but also perennial Six-Man powerhouse Denton-Geyser-Stanford.

Yet, Simonson and the Knights, who finished 6-3 a season ago after losing out in the first-round of the playoffs, are not backing down from anyone, especially when North Star returns players like Matthew Helmbrecht at quarterback, Gavin Spinler, Payton Peterson at running back/wide receiver and Jimmy Snow, who will also see time split wide and in the backfield as a runner.

“It’s always a good thing to have your quarterback back,” Simonson said. “Matthew did a good job for us last year. He can throw and he can run. I think we will open things up a little more this season with some of our speed, but we are still going to run the football.”

While the Knights pounded the rock effectively with Spinler, Peter-

Havre Daily News/Matthew Strissel

The 2015 North Star football team poses for a team photo this summer in Rudyard. The Knights are looking to return to the Six-Man playoffs this fall. son and Snow taking turns, Spinler was the bell cow. But, part of the reason he was so successful was the blocking of Jaxon Simonson, the son of Steve Simonson, who was a dominate player on both offense and defense a year ago for North

Star.

Jaxon Simonson, who at 6-3 and close to 280 pounds, was the athletic lineman type that is rarely seen in six-man football. Yet, he also used his agility to catch over 20 passes a season ago, which placed him

We expect to be in the playoff hunt every year.

And we are expecting to do the same this season.

Steve Simonson North Star football coach

among the team leaders. But, while North Star may miss Simonson, they do not plan on playing any differently.

“We are still going to do what we have always done since I have been there and that’s run the ball,” Si-

monson said. “That’s not going to change much.”

Despite the fact that Knights have some of the most talented skill position players in the North, they still have work to do to maintain their hold on one of the conferences’ four playoff berths, especially with three of their first four games slated to be on the road.

The Knights opened the season against arch rival Big Sandy, followed by a Sept. 4 date at Sunburst.

Neither school may be a football power, but Sunburst did earn the fourth spot a season ago and may offer the Knights an early season test.

If North Star makes it through its first two games unscathed, the Knights will get to take on Box Elder, which missed the playoffs by one game a season ago, at home Sept. 19, before traveling to Geraldine/Highwood Sept. 26.

“We know that the North is going to be tough,” Simonson said. “It always is. Geraldine/Highwood and DGS will both be really good again and Box Elder has been on the rise the past few seasons, so it will be tough, but we expect to finish in the top two or three and make it to the playoffs again.”

After the opening stretch of grueling games on the docket, the Knights will host Augusta, DGS and Valier to end the season at home while making just one road trip to Heart Butte Oct. 13, in what should be a winnable game.

The schedule could cause some early struggles for the Knights, but when it’s all said and done, expect the Knights to be in the hunt, just as Simonson does, and just like they do seemingly every season in Six-Man football.

10

Area

September 2015

FALL SPORTS PREVIEW

BLUE PONY VOLLEYBALL SCHEDULE Sept. 11 Sept. 12 Sept. 14 Sept. 19 Sept. 25 Sept. 26 Oct. 1 Oct. 3 Oct. 10 Oct. 17 Oct. 23 Oct. 24 Oct. 30 Nov. 5-7 Nov. 12-14

Electric City Classic - Great Falls 10:00 a.m.

Electric City Classic - Great Falls 10:00 a.m. at Conrad at Lewistown (vs. Hardin - vs. Laurel) 10:00 a.m. vs. Lewistown at Choteau at Great Falls High School vs. Browning at Browning vs. Conrad - 10:00 a.m – vs. Choteau - 3:30 p.m. vs. Park vs. Belgrade at Lewistown Divisionals at Livingston State at Bozeman

www.havredailynews.com

September 2015

FALL SPORTS PREVIEW

www.havredailynews.com

we have a lot of potential."

Mount, who is entering his third season as head coach of the T-Birds, is right about one thing: He does have athletes. And while HLP did struggle to stay in a lot of football games last fall, one thing the team could do somewhat effectively was score. And despite posting an 0-7 record in the Eastern Division of Class C 8-Man football, the T-Birds at least managed to find the end zone once in

every game.

A big reason for that was the play of junior quarterback Tyson Shambo. Shambo will be under center for the T-Birds for the third straight year and that is something that Mount says he can build upon.

"Tyson is a really good athlete," Mount said. "He is a very good basketball player and he is a good football player, too. He's not big by any means, but he's quick and he can throw the ball. It's nice to have him back as our starting quarterback for the third year. His first two years playing have helped him really learn my system, so I am expecting him to have a good season."

Shambo, who earned All-Conference honors as a basketball player last season, is also a talented football player and will team with backfield mate Damon Castillo, who is the team's senior running back.

On the defensive side of the ball, the T-Birds will be led by senior defensive back Terrell Young, who will see time at both safety and corner-

back. Castillo will also play a key role defense as will Shambo, who will also play defensive back and outside linebacker.

Another T-Bird who will play an important role on both sides of the ball will be Tough Snow. Snow also stood out on the HLP basketball team last season and on the football field he plays a number of positions, including tight end, receiver, running back, defensive end and outside linebacker.

"Tough snow is another good athlete and good basketball player," Mount said. "He is a good runner and he is also a good receiver. But, he really does well on defense. He is my best pass rusher."

Many of the players who will see time this season played in previous years for Mount, who feels good about the direction his program is headed.

"I am kind of looking at Box Elder as a model," Mount said. "They have a good group of athletes and they have stuck it out together, and

if we can do that here, I think we can have success like they have."

One thing that makes winning games difficult for the T-Birds though, is the difficulty of the Eastern C. With defending 8-man state champion Wibaux, along with state semi-finalist Fairview in the mix as well as Culbertson/Bainville, Powder River County, Scobey, Circle and new addition Plentywood, wins will once again be hard to come by.

"If we played in another conference it would probably be easier for us to break through," Mount said.

"But, we are facing difficult competition each and every week, so that makes it tougher on us."

HLP will open the season on the road against Plentywood in a game that Mount thinks his club can win.

As for the HLP volleyball team, the school had yet to hire a new head coach as of press time, but the Thunderbirds will still play in the tough District 6C East again this year.

Even though the Longhorns will get themselves back on the field in 2015, that doesn't mean anything, including wins, will be easy to come by. Ross, who has been with the program since 2001 as an assistant, knows there are some players with varsity experience, but they are few and far between.

There are four seniors who did get a chance to play variety level football as sophomores and one of them is starting quarterback Logan Taylor. Another player with varsity experience is Connor Debruycker, who will play at tight end, as well as defensive end and linebacker, another is Jade Miller, who will be the running back and Eli Toon, who will also play tight end. Another contributor for the Longhorns will be Matt Blamsett, who play offensive guard, linebacker and defensive tackle.

"We have a lot of young players," Ross said. "But we have some kids that have played at the varsity level before and I think all of them will be good players for us. So I am confident in our ability to compete, but it's going to be tough, especially in

the Northern C because it's always tough."

The Longhorns will make their much-anticipated return to varsity action Aug. 28, when they will travel to Chester to take on Northern C rival Chester/J-I. Then, Sept. 4, Fort Benton will play its first varsity home game in more than a year when the team hosts Simms.

"There is definitely going to be a lot of emotion for us," Ross said. "It means so much to the town and the players to see the team back. They want this, and we are hoping that by the end of the season, we are a .500 team with a chance at making the playoffs."

The volleyball team, which is directed by head coach Krystal Burns is also looking forward to the 2015 season, as they will look to build on an 11-12 record a year ago, which left them short of qualifying for the Northern C divisional tournament.

Yet, the Longhorns, who belong in the 7C, graduated four seniors from last season's team, but return a total of 10 girls, who saw action with the varsity a year ago led by

Hannah Pimperton, who was third on the team in kills with 109 and third in assists with 326. Senior Cassidy McCarthy will also be an important player for the Longhorns after notching 79 kills and 289 assists, both good enough for fourth on the team, a season ago.

Fort Benton also returns Madison Schumacher, Serenity Judeman, Alexis Giles, Tanaya Manahan, Tia Clark, Kaitlyn Bird, Bailey Wilson, Kimberly Taylor and Marissa Gannon.

Fort Benton's season is already underway.

Blue Pony spikers HLP excited about the fall sports season ready for a brand new beginning Chris Peterson Havre Daily News cpeterson@havredailynews.com

2015 marks a new era in Havre High volleyball with Tamecia Jarvis as the Ponies' head coach

Chris Peterson Havre Daily News cpeterson@havredailynews.com After struggling to a 4-17 record a season ago, and almost a decade removed from its last trip to the Class A state tournament, the Havre High volleyball team needed a fresh start.

And it’s getting one in the form of new head coach Tamecia Jarvis.

Jarvis is a disciple of Montana State University-Northern head volleyball coach Bill Huebsch, who she both played for and coached under. She is in her first season at the helm of Blue Pony volleyball and thus far, she said, things are going smoothly.

"I think things have been going well," Jarvis said. "We have some really good athletes and some good talent on this team. I think these girls want to be good and they have been working really hard, so that's been nice to see."

Ironically, the Ponies haven't qualified for the state tournament since Huebsch left, which is something that Jarvis, who set records at Northern and earned All-Frontier Conference honors, is hoping to change.

However, her job will not be easy.

Not only has Havre put together a string of losing seasons, the Ponies also play in one of the more difficult conferences in all of Class A. Havre, which is part of the broader Eastern A division, is also in the Central A conference, which is home to defending state champion Belgrade.

In addition to playing the Panthers on a regular basis, the Ponies also see traditional Class A power Lewistown twice a year along with Browning and Livingston. Yet, HHS will also compete with Eastern A schools like Billings Central, which was fourth at state a season ago, as well as Sidney, Glendive, Miles City, Hardin and Laurel at the final divisional tournament in order to get to state.

"Right now we are not really worried about our competition and how good they are going to be," Jarvis said. "We will get to that point down

11

Area

Hays-Lodge Pole head football coach Shawn Mount has been waiting a long time to get his first win.

In fact, the entire Thunderbirds program has been, as it’s been five years since the T-Birds have tasted victory on the gridiron.

Yet, that is something Mount is working hard to change and he believes that, after spending the past few seasons rebuilding the program's infrastructure, that success and a win is just around the corner.

"I know I probably say this every year, but I really think that we are going to get a win this season," Mount said. "I might sound a little crazy, but I actually think it's possible for us to think about making the playoffs. I know some people might laugh at me for saying that or not take it seriously, but we have some really good athletes and I think that

Longhorns ready for a return to football

Chris Peterson Havre Daily News cpeterson@havredailynews.com

the road. Right now our biggest focus is getting better and becoming the best team that we can be. When we need to, we will look at our opponents and come up with game plans and things like that, but right now, we are just to try and improve ourselves."

But in spite of the Ponies' poor record a season ago, the team does have plenty of talent and potential.

For starters, Havre returns senior Dani Wagner, who earned Class A All-State and Central A All-Conference honors a season ago. Wagner is a senior and leads a senior class that also features Madison Huebsch, Reggie Bernard and Megan Erickson.

A season ago, Wagner was among the leaders in the Central A in just about every statistic across the board as she was fifth in the Central A in kills with 169, sixth in aces with 46 and fourth in assists with

236, as she split her time between setter and outside hitter a season ago.

Bernard was another key component for HHS last season, ranking 10th in the league in kills with 124 and second in the conference in blocks with 46.5 In addition to the seniors, other players that return with varsity experience include junior Naomi Terry, who was among the team leaders in assists last season as well as Jacey McDonald, Sammy Huston and Claire Worm.

Ceyara Plante will also see time on the varsity squad this season as will Paige Nelson and Katelyn Nystrom.

"I think that we have a lot of talented individual players," Jarvis said. "But right now the biggest thing that I want to focus on is us growing together and improving as a team. I am trying to get them to learn my system and play together.

But, I think we have some players that are going to play really well

this season."

It won't take long for Jarvis and the Ponies to find out just how good they are this season as they will be tested early by conference foes Livingston and Belgrade right away Sept. 3 in Livingston, where HHS will play back-to-back games to open the season.

Then, Havre will play in both the Windy City Classic in Livingston on Sept. 5 before traveling to the Electric City Classic Sept. 11 and 12 in Great Falls, where HHS will get the chance to compete against a number of Class AA schools.

Yet, the Ponies will not play in front of their hometown fans until Sept. 25, when arch-rival Lewistown will invade the HHS gymnasium.

Havre will also play a home-andaway against Browning, before closing the season with home games against Belgrade and Livingston Oct. 23-24, then a road game against Lewistown Oct. 30.

Havre Daily News/Roger Miller

The 2015 Havre High varsity volleyball team poses for a fun photo before the start of the 2015 season. The Blue Ponies not only have a lot of talent this season, but a new head c o a c h i n v e t e r a n Ta m e c i a Jarvis.

If the Ponies finish among the top three teams in the final Central A standings, they will advance to the Eastern A divisional in Livingston, starting Nov. 5. But, if HHS finishes fourth or fifth, it will need to earn its way into the tournament via a onegame playoff, which is scheduled to take place Halloween night.

"I am really excited for the season to start," Jarvis said. "I think the girls are looking forward to it.

They have been working very hard and it will be fun to see the result of that."

This will be an exciting fall sports season for the Fort Benton Longhorns and not just because they have a new head football coach, but also because they will be playing varsity football once again.

Last season, due to dwindling enrollment and a lack of numbers in the football program, Fort Benton decided to forfeit all of its games in order to play a junior varsity schedule.

This year, the Longhorns have 22 kids out to play football and with longtime assistant coach Skip Ross taking over as the head coach, Fort Benton is ready to get back to football.

"The people around here are really excited," Ross said. "We had a little scrimmage here and the amount of people that came out to watch that was crazy. We have a long tradition of playing good football here and the people really missed it last season."

10

Area

September 2015

FALL SPORTS PREVIEW

BLUE PONY VOLLEYBALL SCHEDULE Sept. 11 Sept. 12 Sept. 14 Sept. 19 Sept. 25 Sept. 26 Oct. 1 Oct. 3 Oct. 10 Oct. 17 Oct. 23 Oct. 24 Oct. 30 Nov. 5-7 Nov. 12-14

Electric City Classic - Great Falls 10:00 a.m.

Electric City Classic - Great Falls 10:00 a.m. at Conrad at Lewistown (vs. Hardin - vs. Laurel) 10:00 a.m. vs. Lewistown at Choteau at Great Falls High School vs. Browning at Browning vs. Conrad - 10:00 a.m – vs. Choteau - 3:30 p.m. vs. Park vs. Belgrade at Lewistown Divisionals at Livingston State at Bozeman

www.havredailynews.com

September 2015

FALL SPORTS PREVIEW

www.havredailynews.com

we have a lot of potential."

Mount, who is entering his third season as head coach of the T-Birds, is right about one thing: He does have athletes. And while HLP did struggle to stay in a lot of football games last fall, one thing the team could do somewhat effectively was score. And despite posting an 0-7 record in the Eastern Division of Class C 8-Man football, the T-Birds at least managed to find the end zone once in

every game.

A big reason for that was the play of junior quarterback Tyson Shambo. Shambo will be under center for the T-Birds for the third straight year and that is something that Mount says he can build upon.

"Tyson is a really good athlete," Mount said. "He is a very good basketball player and he is a good football player, too. He's not big by any means, but he's quick and he can throw the ball. It's nice to have him back as our starting quarterback for the third year. His first two years playing have helped him really learn my system, so I am expecting him to have a good season."

Shambo, who earned All-Conference honors as a basketball player last season, is also a talented football player and will team with backfield mate Damon Castillo, who is the team's senior running back.

On the defensive side of the ball, the T-Birds will be led by senior defensive back Terrell Young, who will see time at both safety and corner-

back. Castillo will also play a key role defense as will Shambo, who will also play defensive back and outside linebacker.

Another T-Bird who will play an important role on both sides of the ball will be Tough Snow. Snow also stood out on the HLP basketball team last season and on the football field he plays a number of positions, including tight end, receiver, running back, defensive end and outside linebacker.

"Tough snow is another good athlete and good basketball player," Mount said. "He is a good runner and he is also a good receiver. But, he really does well on defense. He is my best pass rusher."

Many of the players who will see time this season played in previous years for Mount, who feels good about the direction his program is headed.

"I am kind of looking at Box Elder as a model," Mount said. "They have a good group of athletes and they have stuck it out together, and

if we can do that here, I think we can have success like they have."

One thing that makes winning games difficult for the T-Birds though, is the difficulty of the Eastern C. With defending 8-man state champion Wibaux, along with state semi-finalist Fairview in the mix as well as Culbertson/Bainville, Powder River County, Scobey, Circle and new addition Plentywood, wins will once again be hard to come by.

"If we played in another conference it would probably be easier for us to break through," Mount said.

"But, we are facing difficult competition each and every week, so that makes it tougher on us."

HLP will open the season on the road against Plentywood in a game that Mount thinks his club can win.

As for the HLP volleyball team, the school had yet to hire a new head coach as of press time, but the Thunderbirds will still play in the tough District 6C East again this year.

Even though the Longhorns will get themselves back on the field in 2015, that doesn't mean anything, including wins, will be easy to come by. Ross, who has been with the program since 2001 as an assistant, knows there are some players with varsity experience, but they are few and far between.

There are four seniors who did get a chance to play variety level football as sophomores and one of them is starting quarterback Logan Taylor. Another player with varsity experience is Connor Debruycker, who will play at tight end, as well as defensive end and linebacker, another is Jade Miller, who will be the running back and Eli Toon, who will also play tight end. Another contributor for the Longhorns will be Matt Blamsett, who play offensive guard, linebacker and defensive tackle.

"We have a lot of young players," Ross said. "But we have some kids that have played at the varsity level before and I think all of them will be good players for us. So I am confident in our ability to compete, but it's going to be tough, especially in

the Northern C because it's always tough."

The Longhorns will make their much-anticipated return to varsity action Aug. 28, when they will travel to Chester to take on Northern C rival Chester/J-I. Then, Sept. 4, Fort Benton will play its first varsity home game in more than a year when the team hosts Simms.

"There is definitely going to be a lot of emotion for us," Ross said. "It means so much to the town and the players to see the team back. They want this, and we are hoping that by the end of the season, we are a .500 team with a chance at making the playoffs."

The volleyball team, which is directed by head coach Krystal Burns is also looking forward to the 2015 season, as they will look to build on an 11-12 record a year ago, which left them short of qualifying for the Northern C divisional tournament.

Yet, the Longhorns, who belong in the 7C, graduated four seniors from last season's team, but return a total of 10 girls, who saw action with the varsity a year ago led by

Hannah Pimperton, who was third on the team in kills with 109 and third in assists with 326. Senior Cassidy McCarthy will also be an important player for the Longhorns after notching 79 kills and 289 assists, both good enough for fourth on the team, a season ago.

Fort Benton also returns Madison Schumacher, Serenity Judeman, Alexis Giles, Tanaya Manahan, Tia Clark, Kaitlyn Bird, Bailey Wilson, Kimberly Taylor and Marissa Gannon.

Fort Benton's season is already underway.

Blue Pony spikers HLP excited about the fall sports season ready for a brand new beginning Chris Peterson Havre Daily News cpeterson@havredailynews.com

2015 marks a new era in Havre High volleyball with Tamecia Jarvis as the Ponies' head coach

Chris Peterson Havre Daily News cpeterson@havredailynews.com After struggling to a 4-17 record a season ago, and almost a decade removed from its last trip to the Class A state tournament, the Havre High volleyball team needed a fresh start.

And it’s getting one in the form of new head coach Tamecia Jarvis.

Jarvis is a disciple of Montana State University-Northern head volleyball coach Bill Huebsch, who she both played for and coached under. She is in her first season at the helm of Blue Pony volleyball and thus far, she said, things are going smoothly.

"I think things have been going well," Jarvis said. "We have some really good athletes and some good talent on this team. I think these girls want to be good and they have been working really hard, so that's been nice to see."

Ironically, the Ponies haven't qualified for the state tournament since Huebsch left, which is something that Jarvis, who set records at Northern and earned All-Frontier Conference honors, is hoping to change.

However, her job will not be easy.

Not only has Havre put together a string of losing seasons, the Ponies also play in one of the more difficult conferences in all of Class A. Havre, which is part of the broader Eastern A division, is also in the Central A conference, which is home to defending state champion Belgrade.

In addition to playing the Panthers on a regular basis, the Ponies also see traditional Class A power Lewistown twice a year along with Browning and Livingston. Yet, HHS will also compete with Eastern A schools like Billings Central, which was fourth at state a season ago, as well as Sidney, Glendive, Miles City, Hardin and Laurel at the final divisional tournament in order to get to state.

"Right now we are not really worried about our competition and how good they are going to be," Jarvis said. "We will get to that point down

11

Area

Hays-Lodge Pole head football coach Shawn Mount has been waiting a long time to get his first win.

In fact, the entire Thunderbirds program has been, as it’s been five years since the T-Birds have tasted victory on the gridiron.

Yet, that is something Mount is working hard to change and he believes that, after spending the past few seasons rebuilding the program's infrastructure, that success and a win is just around the corner.

"I know I probably say this every year, but I really think that we are going to get a win this season," Mount said. "I might sound a little crazy, but I actually think it's possible for us to think about making the playoffs. I know some people might laugh at me for saying that or not take it seriously, but we have some really good athletes and I think that

Longhorns ready for a return to football

Chris Peterson Havre Daily News cpeterson@havredailynews.com

the road. Right now our biggest focus is getting better and becoming the best team that we can be. When we need to, we will look at our opponents and come up with game plans and things like that, but right now, we are just to try and improve ourselves."

But in spite of the Ponies' poor record a season ago, the team does have plenty of talent and potential.

For starters, Havre returns senior Dani Wagner, who earned Class A All-State and Central A All-Conference honors a season ago. Wagner is a senior and leads a senior class that also features Madison Huebsch, Reggie Bernard and Megan Erickson.

A season ago, Wagner was among the leaders in the Central A in just about every statistic across the board as she was fifth in the Central A in kills with 169, sixth in aces with 46 and fourth in assists with

236, as she split her time between setter and outside hitter a season ago.

Bernard was another key component for HHS last season, ranking 10th in the league in kills with 124 and second in the conference in blocks with 46.5 In addition to the seniors, other players that return with varsity experience include junior Naomi Terry, who was among the team leaders in assists last season as well as Jacey McDonald, Sammy Huston and Claire Worm.

Ceyara Plante will also see time on the varsity squad this season as will Paige Nelson and Katelyn Nystrom.

"I think that we have a lot of talented individual players," Jarvis said. "But right now the biggest thing that I want to focus on is us growing together and improving as a team. I am trying to get them to learn my system and play together.

But, I think we have some players that are going to play really well

this season."

It won't take long for Jarvis and the Ponies to find out just how good they are this season as they will be tested early by conference foes Livingston and Belgrade right away Sept. 3 in Livingston, where HHS will play back-to-back games to open the season.

Then, Havre will play in both the Windy City Classic in Livingston on Sept. 5 before traveling to the Electric City Classic Sept. 11 and 12 in Great Falls, where HHS will get the chance to compete against a number of Class AA schools.

Yet, the Ponies will not play in front of their hometown fans until Sept. 25, when arch-rival Lewistown will invade the HHS gymnasium.

Havre will also play a home-andaway against Browning, before closing the season with home games against Belgrade and Livingston Oct. 23-24, then a road game against Lewistown Oct. 30.

Havre Daily News/Roger Miller

The 2015 Havre High varsity volleyball team poses for a fun photo before the start of the 2015 season. The Blue Ponies not only have a lot of talent this season, but a new head c o a c h i n v e t e r a n Ta m e c i a Jarvis.

If the Ponies finish among the top three teams in the final Central A standings, they will advance to the Eastern A divisional in Livingston, starting Nov. 5. But, if HHS finishes fourth or fifth, it will need to earn its way into the tournament via a onegame playoff, which is scheduled to take place Halloween night.

"I am really excited for the season to start," Jarvis said. "I think the girls are looking forward to it.

They have been working very hard and it will be fun to see the result of that."

This will be an exciting fall sports season for the Fort Benton Longhorns and not just because they have a new head football coach, but also because they will be playing varsity football once again.

Last season, due to dwindling enrollment and a lack of numbers in the football program, Fort Benton decided to forfeit all of its games in order to play a junior varsity schedule.

This year, the Longhorns have 22 kids out to play football and with longtime assistant coach Skip Ross taking over as the head coach, Fort Benton is ready to get back to football.

"The people around here are really excited," Ross said. "We had a little scrimmage here and the amount of people that came out to watch that was crazy. We have a long tradition of playing good football here and the people really missed it last season."

12

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September 2015

FALL SPORTS PREVIEW

www.havredailynews.com

C/J-I spikers are on the rise

Havre Daily News/Chris Peterson

The 2015 Chester/J-I volleyball team poses for a team picture prior to the start of the 2015 season. With a host of returning starters, the Hawks should be one of the contenders in the difficult District 6C East this fall.

George Ferguson Havre Daily News sports editor gferguson@havredailynews.com There’s no denying the long-term success the Chester/J-I Hawks, and before that the Chester Coyotes, have had on the volleyball court. For decades, they’ve been one of the top volleyball programs on the Hi-Line and in all of Class C. But over the last couple of seasons, the Hawks have had some growing pains due to inexperience and youth. However, in 2015, the Hawks are looking to build on the momentum they ended the 2014 season with.

The Hawks finished third in the District 6C East a year ago but rallied to make it all the way to the Northern C Divisional

tournament. Even though C/J-I head coach Windie Goldhahn had to replace a couple of key seniors from last year’s squad, she’s more than excited about the upcoming season.

“It’s been a lot of fun so far this season because we do have a core group of girls that have played together before and have already built that relationship with each other on the court,” Goldhahn said. “So, it’s nice to feel like we’re not starting from scratch this year. We have returning starters, so we feel like we already have a solid foundation to work from.”

Among those returnees is senior setter Madeline Woods, who Goldhahn said will be huge for her Hawks this season. C/J-I also returns a pair of talented middle hitters in Allix Goldhahn and Erin Wolfe. Those two will provide defense and power in the middle, while outside hitter Krista Dahinden is also back, as is Kylee Vinson.

While that group will provide the Hawks with leadersip, experience and talent, C/J-I also has the depth it may have lacked a year ago. With the likes of Jereca Tempel, Kate Hansen, Korrin Harmon, Kayona Fraser and Gabby Mangold rounding out the varsity roster, C/J-I is much more experienced and much deeper this season.

Still, coach Goldhahn admits that things are never easy in the 6C East, and she doesn’t see anything different when it comes to district play in 2015.

“Yes, our district is tough once again,” she said. “Chinook returns some great players, North Star has a lot of girls returning and Box Elder has really improved a lot.

They were really tough last year. And Big Sandy was a really young team last year.

So this district is really tough, and with volleyball you just never know what’s going to happen.”

One thing Goldhahn does know though is that her team loves to play and loves to compete, and with the talent and athleticism the Hawks have, she says 2015 is going to be a lot of fun.

“We’re really hoping to improve on where we ended up last season,” she said. “It’s a new season and you never know what’s going to happen, but our girls are working really hard, and they are a fun group. So I think this season is going to be a lot of fun.”

The Hawks open their 2015 season with a match against Dutton-Brady, as well as a trip to the Sunburst Invitational.

9

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September 2015

FALL SPORTS PREVIEW

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North Star tackles a new season Chris Peterson Havre Daily News cpeterson@havredailynews.com The North Star Knights have been to the Class C Six-Man playoffs so many times in recent years it’s becoming old hat, and that’s a trend that head coach Steve Simonson and his Knights will work hard to continue in 2015.

“We expect to be in the playoff hunt ever year,” Simonson, the long-time head coach of the Knights said. “And we are expecting to do the same this season. We lost some players, but we have some good kids back and I think we will be one of the better teams in our division.”

Of course, the Knights play in the very difficult Six-Man North Division, which not only features defending Six-Man state champion Geraldine/Highwood, but also perennial Six-Man powerhouse Denton-Geyser-Stanford.

Yet, Simonson and the Knights, who finished 6-3 a season ago after losing out in the first-round of the playoffs, are not backing down from anyone, especially when North Star returns players like Matthew Helmbrecht at quarterback, Gavin Spinler, Payton Peterson at running back/wide receiver and Jimmy Snow, who will also see time split wide and in the backfield as a runner.

“It’s always a good thing to have your quarterback back,” Simonson said. “Matthew did a good job for us last year. He can throw and he can run. I think we will open things up a little more this season with some of our speed, but we are still going to run the football.”

While the Knights pounded the rock effectively with Spinler, Peter-

Havre Daily News/Matthew Strissel

The 2015 North Star football team poses for a team photo this summer in Rudyard. The Knights are looking to return to the Six-Man playoffs this fall. son and Snow taking turns, Spinler was the bell cow. But, part of the reason he was so successful was the blocking of Jaxon Simonson, the son of Steve Simonson, who was a dominate player on both offense and defense a year ago for North

Star.

Jaxon Simonson, who at 6-3 and close to 280 pounds, was the athletic lineman type that is rarely seen in six-man football. Yet, he also used his agility to catch over 20 passes a season ago, which placed him

We expect to be in the playoff hunt every year.

And we are expecting to do the same this season.

Steve Simonson North Star football coach

among the team leaders. But, while North Star may miss Simonson, they do not plan on playing any differently.

“We are still going to do what we have always done since I have been there and that’s run the ball,” Si-

monson said. “That’s not going to change much.”

Despite the fact that Knights have some of the most talented skill position players in the North, they still have work to do to maintain their hold on one of the conferences’ four playoff berths, especially with three of their first four games slated to be on the road.

The Knights opened the season against arch rival Big Sandy, followed by a Sept. 4 date at Sunburst.

Neither school may be a football power, but Sunburst did earn the fourth spot a season ago and may offer the Knights an early season test.

If North Star makes it through its first two games unscathed, the Knights will get to take on Box Elder, which missed the playoffs by one game a season ago, at home Sept. 19, before traveling to Geraldine/Highwood Sept. 26.

“We know that the North is going to be tough,” Simonson said. “It always is. Geraldine/Highwood and DGS will both be really good again and Box Elder has been on the rise the past few seasons, so it will be tough, but we expect to finish in the top two or three and make it to the playoffs again.”

After the opening stretch of grueling games on the docket, the Knights will host Augusta, DGS and Valier to end the season at home while making just one road trip to Heart Butte Oct. 13, in what should be a winnable game.

The schedule could cause some early struggles for the Knights, but when it’s all said and done, expect the Knights to be in the hunt, just as Simonson does, and just like they do seemingly every season in Six-Man football.

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Business as usual for talented Knights Hawks ready to soar on the football field Chris Peterson Havre Daily News cpeterson@havredailynews.com

George Ferguson Havre Daily News sports editor gferguson@havredailynews.com It seems like, there is never a season when the North Star High School volleyball team isn’t a major factor, both in District 6C East play, and in the Northern C. And the 2015 season won’t likely be any different as the Knights just continue to be one of the premier volleyball teams on the Hi-Line.

Once again led by head coach Angel Beamer, the Knights will be contending for the 6C East crown this fall. North Star finished second in the conference a year ago, and, despite the loss of key seniors likes Mackenzie Hansen and Tylynn Rettig, it should be business as usual again for the Knights.

North Star returns a host of talented players, and, like they have every, the Knights will have depth and height to their advantage.

Kiera Miller, Samantha Pester and Sheridan O’Neil were all All-Conference performers a year ago, and together, they will form a tough trio at the net for the Knights.

North Star has always been a strong blocking team, and the Knights will be again this season.

The Knights also return two more veteran varsity players in Graysen Spicher and Sheridan Spicher, both of whom saw significant time for the Knights a year ago.

But the roster doesn’t end with the talent and veteran leadership the Knights possess. They have plenty of youthful talent, which only adds to North Star’s already strong depth.

The Chester/J-I football team has a strong tradition of excellence.

The Hawks are used to playing in the playoffs and in big games. Last season, however, C/J-I fell just short of the postseason, but with a group of talented players returning, the Hawks have their sights set high in 2015.

Led again by long-time head coach Jim Vinson, the Hawks finished 4-4 a year ago but, thanks to an impressive win over Great Falls Central, they stayed in the playoff hunt up until the final week of the season, but were knocked out

Rounding out North Star’s roster is the likes of, Lily Pedersen, who also saw varsity time a year ago, as well as Chelsea Donaldson, Jewel Wicks, Paij Peterson, Peytan King and Sheridan Pena.

That group will not only provide depth for the Knights, but will also make the Knights strong for years

to come.

And strong is what the Knights always aspire to be in volleyball.

Their tough rivalries with Chinook and Chester/J-I will continue this season, and those matches will once again decide who will be crowned district champions at the end of the season, though the upstart Box

Elder Bears will also hope to figure into that mix as well.

And make no mistake, North Star is definitely gunning for, and has the talent to be 6C East champions this season.

This weekend, the Knights will host their annual North Star Showcase in Rudyard and Gildford.

following a defeat at the hands of Chinook. This year, C/J-I is looking to use that experience as motivation to navigate the always-difficult Northern division of Class C 8-Man football.

"The kids are really looking forward to this season," C/J-I head coach Jim Vinson said. "They are motivated because we missed the playoffs last year. We were close but didn't quite make it, and we want to try and get back there this year."

The Hawks will be helped in their cause by the return of AllState running back Justin May, who dominated for C/J-I a season ago, racking up 837 yards rushing on 132 carries, which was good enough for a yards per carry average of 6.3. May also added 15 rush-

ing touchdowns to go along with 44 receptions for 352 yards and eight receiving touchdowns.

May is receiving interest from both the University of Montana and Montana State, as well as from teams in the Frontier Conference recruiting-wise. While he was great on offense, he was just as good on defense for the Hawks, totaling 61 tackles, five interceptions and three passes defensed.

"Justin is obviously a great player for us," Vinson said. "He is a kid with some special abilities. He has great speed, but he has good size, too, and he is an important player for us on both offense and defense."

However, the Hawks are set to bring back much more than just

Havre Daily News/Matthew Strissel

The 2015 North Star volleyball team takes a team photo prior to the start of the 2015 season.

The Knights return a wealth of talent and are poised to continue being one of the top teams in the District 6C East.

Havre Daily News/Chris Peterson

The 2015 Chester/J-I football team takes a team photo before the start of the football season. The Hawks return plenty of firepower and are ready to make a playoff push in Class C 8-man this season.

May, as the team also returns its starting quarterback from a season ago in senior Brandon Ricther, as well as its backup quarterback in junior Cory Richter.

Brandon Richter was the guy a season ago and after throwing for 776 yards, 11 touchdowns and eight interceptions, he is going to be taking the majority of the snaps again this year. Yet, Richter is much more than a pocket passer and was also second on the team in rushing behind May with 516 yards on the ground in addition to eight touchdowns.

Cory Richter is another quarterback who is a versatile athlete and when he is not under center, he will be playing wide receiver, where he was second on the team a season

ago with 17 receptions for 263 yards and a pair of touchdowns. The C/JI offense will also benefit from the return of Troy Harmon, who will be the team's starting tight end after missing all of last season due to an injury.

"Offensively, we did some good things last season and with the guys we have back, I think we can be pretty explosive," Vinson said.

"We have our top two quarterbacks back, which is always good. It never hurts to have experience at that position and with Justin and Brandon running the ball, as well as Cory and Troy out there as receivers, we are looking pretty good."

Of course the Hawks will have to battle it out with the rest of the Northern C for one of the four playoff spots available and after having four teams from the conference in Chinook, Belt, Great Falls Central and Power-Dutton-Brady make it to the state quarterfinals a season ago, finishing in the top four will prove to be no easy task.

Yet, the Hawks are not deterred.

Vinson said he knows how tough the Northern C is because it is that tough every single year. This season, he expects it be no different, but he believes strongly that his team is ready for the challenge and that when all is said and done, they might just find themselves near the top of the heap.

"The Northern C is always tough," Vinson said. "We don't have any games that are easy. Even Centerville and Cascade should be improved. I don't think either of those programs will let that tradition go.

Fort Benton is also playing varsity again this year and they aren't just going to let that tradition go either.

Chinook should have a good team again this year, so should Belt and PDB, we just have to play good football every week and take it one game at a time."

The Hawks started their march toward the playoffs with a home game against the Fort Benton Longhorns.

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Morning Stars are young on the court HHS harriers

BLUE PONY CROSS-COUNTRY SCHEDULE

ready to run for a new coach

George Ferguson Havre Daily News sports editor gferguson@havredailynews.com

Sometimes, with how popular the sport of basketball is in Rocky Boy, sports like volleyball get lost in the shuffle a little bit. But longtime head volleyball coach Ty Watson always remains optimistic when a new volleyball season rolls around.

Watson was optimistic a season ago when Rocky Boy battled hard in the difficult District 1B, a district that includes one of the top programs in Montana in the Choteau Bulldogs. But after a respectable 2014 campaign, the Morning Stars will have to reload this season, and reload they’re trying to do. Watson says the Morning Stars still have talent and have good numbers out for the team this season, but they’ll be much younger than they were a year ago.

"We graduated a lot of talented players from a season ago," Watson said. "So we have a lot of young players. We have a few seniors and a few with some experience, but mostly our lineup will be all new."

The Morning Stars have few varsity holdovers from last season, and even less total experience. But one

Josh Holt now in charge of Blue Pony Cross Country teams Chris Peterson Havre Daily News cpeterson@havredailynews.com

Havre Daily News/Chris Peterson

The 2015 Rocky Boy volleyball team poses for a team photo in Rocky Boy. The Morning Stars are coming off a strong 2014 season but will have a fairly young and inexperienced team this fall under veteran head coach Ty Watson. thing they do have is athleticism, led by veteran Jurnee LaForge, as well as Sean Henry.

From there however, Rocky Boy is young and otherwise inexperienced. The rest of the varsity roster includes, Jillian Top Sky, Juanaya Gamble, Kiara Small, Kristie Parker, Leilani Denny and Talia Stephens. That group will make up the bulk of Watson’s rotation as Rocky Boy continues to battle in the tough 1B. "The biggest thing for us is we just need to learn how to play together," Watson said.

"Some of the girls still have to learn the system a little bit and get more comfortable.

But, I think we have some

good athletes and that we will be able to compete. We just need to come together."

Of course, coming together is tough to do considering how tough Rocky Boy’s schedule is. The Morning Stars not only have to face Choteau twice, but also the likes of Conrad, Cut Bank and Fairfield two times as well. In all, Rocky Boy is not only in the toughest district, the 1B, but also the toughest division, as the Northern B is rough and tough to navigate every year.

Still, Watson is a veteran head coach, and he continues to get volleyball to be much more popular in Rocky Boy. Despite his young team, he says he knows the Morning

Stars will play hard and be tough to beat this season.

"Our goal is just to go out there and compete," Watson said. "We have a lot of girls out to play, which is good. And we have to a lot of work to do but things have gone well so far."

Rocky Boy opens its season at the Malta Invitational.

New head coaches have been the trend when it comes to Havre High athletics this fall, and that trend continues with the Havre cross country teams as Josh Holt takes over the program for the 2015 season.

Last season and for the past few years, the Ponies have been in the middle of the pack when it comes to Class A cross country on the boys side as well as the girls.

A season ago, at the Class A state meet, the Pony boys notched a 12th-place finish, while the girls ended up finishing 13th.

Even though they were not a state title contender a year ago, the Ponies do have some promising runners back for this season, along with a slew of talented youngsters.

That and the enthusiasm and the new training regimen brought by coach Holt may be just what the doctor ordered for the HHS cross country team to excel.

"My biggest goal this year is just trying to build a program," Holt said. "We have a few seniors but we have a lot of young kids and they are really excited about it, so that has made the training a lot of fun. We have been working with the kids on all sorts of things from their technique, to pace, really just teaching them about the broad spectrum of running. We also have gotten them in the weight room to try and have that strength and balance as well, and so far it has gone really well. The kids have trained hard and they are really taking to what we are teaching them, so I really think we have a chance to surprise some people."

One nice thing for Holt is that when he came in for his first season at the helm for the Ponies, he did not take over a program in which the cupboard was bare, in fact it's far from it, especially on the girls team.

Havre not only returns its top individual performer from a season ago in Rachel David, who finished 12th at state last season, but the Ponies also return others with varsity experience such as Marca Herron, Meggie Zook and Rainey Stoner. HHS did lose both Morgan and Tori Mazurkiewicz to graduation but, overall, Holt feels good about the talent coming back on the girls team, especially with some of the young talent that is starting to emerge.

"Rachel hasn't been practicing with us because of some previous work commitments, but she trained with us during the offseason," Holt said. "So we will need

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to get her up to speed, but she is a great runner. And I think we have a lot of other talented runners that want to do well."

In addition to the three returners from a season ago, the Pony girls will also be looking for others such as Alara Vogel, Hannah Lunak, Nicole Parsons, Payton Healy and Adrienne Miller to compete for time on the varsity squad.

On the boys side of things, the Ponies will be also be counting on three that have state experience.

The first is Brock Ross, who finished 72nd at state a season ago, followed by Austin Jones, who was 78th and Cameron Knapton, who was 83rd.

The Havre boys will also be

at Malta at Mountain West - Missoula at Browning at Great Falls (Eagle Falls) at Havre at Shelby (JV) at Helena (Preview Meet) Divisionals at Browning State at Great Falls

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counting on other runners to step up and fill out the varsity roster and those who will be in contention include Andrew VandenBos, Bobby O'Leary, Lane Paulson, Barrett Kilgore, Jacob Keller, Noah Azure, Vander Swenson and Zach Barnes.

"This year really will be a building year for us but I still believe that we can surprise some people," Holt said. "I think that we have some good things and once they start to get down some of these things that we are teaching we could really take off. Honestly, I think that we have enough talent and depth that we can surprise some people this season. I really do."

The Ponies will start their season Sept. 4 in Cut Bank, with es-

sentially a time trial that will go a long way in determine the varsity spots for the rest of the season.

Then a couple weeks after that, HHS will take part in one of the most prestigious meets in the state of Montana, when they run at the Mountain West Classic in Missoula Sept. 19. But, as this point, Holt isn't looking too far into the future; he is just focused on his team taking to the fundamentals.

"Running is a very fundamental thing," Holt said. "So we want to make sure we have that good technique and are doing every thing we can to help these kids do things the right way. If we can do that, I think we will be successful this year and in the long run."

Havre Daily News/Chris Peterson

The 2015 Havre High cross country teams pose for a team photo. Under new head coach Josh Holt, the Blue Ponies will open their season this weekend in Cut Bank.

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Blue Ponies ready to embrace being a Class A power

The Mark Samson era at Havre High begins Chris Peterson Havre Daily News cpeterson@havredailynews.com The excitement level surrounding Havre High football is always high.

But in 2015, the excitement levels are reaching a crescendo as the combination of a talented roster and the addition of head coach Mark Samson have sent expectations soaring through the roof.

In truth, expectations are always high when it comes to Blue Pony football. After all, the program has qualified for the playoffs in seven straight seasons. Yet, HHS has not captured a conference championship since 2011 and hasn’t played for the state championship in over a decade, which is something that Samson and the Ponies are hoping to change sooner rather than later.

“I think that the kids are really excited right now,” Samson said.

“They are hungry. They want to have success and they have worked really hard throughout the offseason and during these first couple weeks of practice. I don’t sense any entitlement from them. I mean, we have talented kids and they know they are good, but I think they really want to be great.”

As excited as the players are, Samson’s enthusiasm may trump them all. Samson, who was formerly the head man at Helena Capital, where he won three Class AA state titles, and at Montana State UniversityNorthern for the last 10 years, where he took the Lights to the NAIA national playoffs, is looking forward to his opportunity to coach the Ponies and can’t wait for the football season to get started.

“I have really enjoyed working with these kids,” Samson said. “They are excited about playing football and that’s something that can take us a long way. But even as we were driving over for our scrimmage (at Blue Pony Stadium) I was getting excited, too. It feels good to be back on the field.”

One reason so much is to be expected from Havre football this season is its almost gluttonous amount of skill positon players. The offense will be led by three-time All-State quarterback Dane Warp, who enters his senior season just shy of Montana’s all-time high school record

for passing yards.

Warp is also coming off a stellar junior season in which he completed 68 percent of his passes, while throwing for 2,629 yards to go along with 27 touchdown passes as opposed to just five interceptions. He also averaged an astonishing 12.6 yards per attempt, which is off the charts.

Warp may be the key cog for the Pony offense, but he is far from the only one. All-State wide receiver Parker Filius is also coming off a season where he racked up 60 receptions, 996 yards from scrimmage and 12 touchdowns. The junior was the Ponies’ leading receiver with 724 yards and the team’s second-leading rusher with 272.

Beyond Filius, the Ponies are returning each of their four leading receivers from a season ago and that doesn’t even include senior Nate Rismon, who earned All-Conference honors as wide out in 2013 but was only able to play one game a season ago after breaking his leg in the opening game against Whitefish.

“We have some really good skills guys and a lot of depth there,” Samson said. “It has taken them some time to adapt to our system. But they are doing well. Dane is doing a good job for us. He’s trying to play the position the way that we want him to and is trying to see things the way that we see them as a coaching staff.”

In addition to Filius and Rismon, the Ponies have four other players who will see time at receiver this season. They include Isaac Warp, who caught 40 passes for 620 yards and six touchdowns last year as a sophomore, Nate Korb, who caught nine passes a season ago, Jacob LaBrie, who had 21 receptions for 276 yards and seven touchdowns, and Ivar Aageson, who is playing his first year of varsity football after missing last season due to injury.

At running back, the Ponies will be equally good thanks to the return of junior Jase Stokes, who rushed for 415 yards on just 58 carries a season ago, which is good enough for a whopping 7.8 yards per carry, while also reaching pay dirt 10 times. Stokes can also catch the ball and was third on the team in receptions a season ago with 28 for 358 yards and two scores.

Joining Stokes in the backfield

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at Miles City vs. Sidney at Browning vs. Park (Homecoming) at Belgrade vs. Fergus at Polson 1st Round Playoffs Qtr. Finals Semi-Finals Finals

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er a year ago and will play inside in defensive coordinator Jared Wirt’s 3-4 scheme. Filius, who was a safety a season ago, will move into the box as an outside linebacker. Dane Flammond will man the other outside linebacker spot, while JayR Caplette will play inside alongside Stokes. Sedahl will also get reps at linebacker Up front, Adams, who earned AllConference honors a season ago at defensive tackle, will play defensive end. Gabrielsen will play opposite of Adams at the other end spot and Sienkowski will be the nose tackle.

In the secondary, the Ponies are loaded. Rismon will return to his spot at corner this season, while Aageson will take over the starting job opposite him. LaBrie, and Keegan Kennelly will also see time at corner and at safety. The starting tandem will be Nate Korb and Logan Pleninger, with Dane Warp potentially seeing some snaps in key situations.

September 2015

“We have a lot of depth in the secondary,” Samson said. “Rismon has been playing well. Aageson has gotten bigger and is doing a nice job.

Nate Korb is going to be a really good one and Logan Pleninger has really had a good summer. I think the kids are still adjusting to some things, but we are going to blitz a lot and try to put pressure on the other team and I think as we get more comfortable, you will see a really great defense.”

The Ponies, who lost in heartbreaking fashion 48-47 in overtime to Miles City in the Class A state playoffs a season ago, are looking for redemption this season and after opening the year with their annual BNSF Trophy game against the Whitefish Bulldogs, will host the Hardin Bulldogs at Blue Pony Stadium.

FALL SPORTS PREVIEW

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Stars working hard on the football field

Chris Peterson Havre Daily News cpeterson@havredailynews.com

Havre High Varsity football team under new head coach Mark Samson this fall. will be starting fullback Chris Gabrielsen, who may also see time at running back, as well as fellow running backs Jazz Schroeder and Jake Sedahl.

Of course the big key for Havre, as with any football team, is the play of the offensive line. With just one starter returning from a season ago, there is work to be done. Yet, with senior Travis Adams manning the left tackle spot, Cole Keller at center and Thomas Keith at right tackle, Samson feels good about his offensive line, despite the question marks at guard where multiple players including Jared Sienkowski, Eddy Ducharme, Cody Rennick, Josh Rodarte, John Berg and Austin Burnside will compete for playing time. And at tight end, the Ponies will also be looking for good things from Alex Stilger and Will Thomas.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Ponies will be led by Stokes and Filius, who each excelled a season ago. Stokes played middle lineback-

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It's time for another football season for the Rocky Boy Stars, yet unfortunately, once again Rocky Boy will not be able to field an 11man varsity roster for the ranks of Class B. As they have done in the past, the Stars will simply play a junior varsity schedule.

Long-time head coach Rick Sunchild, is back at the helm for the Stars for another season and after posting a solid 5-4 record in junior varsity action last year, including a win over the Havre froshmore team at Blue Pony Stadium last fall, there was optimism regarding the Rocky Boy football program.

Yet, with only about 12 kids out to play football thus far and only a few more expected when school begins, the Stars have fallen short yet again of Sunchild's long soughtafter goal of bringing Rocky Boy back to the ranks of varsity football.

"It's really hard to try and get enough kids to support a varsity team for 11-man football here," Sunchild said. "Basketball is still the big thing here. The kids just aren't as interested in competing and playing football as they are playing basketball. If they put the same focus and energy into football, I think we would be pretty good because we have some really good athletes, just a lot of them don't play football.

"But, I am looking at some of the younger classes and they seem more interested in playing football, so that's good to see," he added.

"My goal, long-term, is to play varsity football again, but I just don't know if that will ever happen with us in Class B and having to play 11man. That's my goal, but the most important thing for me is to give any kid, who wants a chance to

play and compete, the opportunity to do that."

At this point, the Stars are going to be very young again, but they do have some promise with the return of sophomores Kordell Small and Ben Iron Eyes. Both Small and Iron Eyes play the quarterback, running back and receiver positions for the Stars and each stood out in the game against Havre last season.

So their return is a big positive,

along with the return of sophomore tight end Jarrell Gopher. The lone senior set to play for the Stars at this point is Perfiro Zarco, who did not play for the team last season.

"It's hard for us to really know what our numbers are going to be until school starts," Sunchild said.

"But when it's all said and done we will probably have somewhere between 12-15 kids playing and that just isn't enough to play a varsity schedule. I like these young guys,

and I think they have some talent, so I hope that they stick with it and that some other kids start to take an interest in it. But last year was a pretty good year for us. We won five games and we had some good kids stick it out, which was a good thing to see. I just hope the freshmen and sophomores we have now, will keep playing because if we can keep them with the program and add more as they get older, we might actually be able to play a

varsity schedule. But, we will see, it's always going to be tough for us to do."

Unlike in years past, the Stars will not open their season with the Havre High junior varsity team, instead they will travel to Shelby Sept. 8, to take on the Shelby JV in the opening game of the 2015 season for the Stars. The Stars will also play Havre High sub-varsity teams twice this season, once in Havre and once in Rocky Boy.

Havre Daily News/Chris Peterson

Members of the 2015 Rocky Boy football team pose for a photo after a recent practice in Rocky Boy. Once again, the Stars will be playing a junior varsity-only schedule this season.

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Wildcats will compete on the court George Ferguson Havre Daily News sports editor gferguson@havredailynews.com One thing the Harlem Wildcats always do, regardless of the sport, is compete. The school is known for its athletic teams always being very competitive and for always playing hard to the end.

That is especially true for the Harlem volleyball team. Success has been minimal over the years

for Harlem in volleyball, but, the Wildcats always compete hard and always seem to put together a team that’s tough to beat.

And that’s what Harlem is hoping to be again this season – competitive and tough to beat. Under head coach Kim Faulkinberry, who also has her husband, legendary wrestling coach Lyle Faulkinberry, on her staff this season, the Wildcats are hoping to be a team that the rest of the District 2B will have to contend with.

The Wildcats were that a season ago, though it didn’t translate into too many wins. But, Harlem also lost a ton of experience of that team from last season, meaning the Wildcats will be a younger team this fall.

Still, numbers are good as Harlem has a strong program in that regard, and the Wildcats do have leaders too. Brooke LeValdo is back to lead the Wildcats this season as one of their most experienced players. Anita Bentley and

Jazzmyn Benson are two more players who have playing time at the varsity level and should help the Wildcats tremendously this season, as will Emma Humphreys, who attends Turner, but plays volleyball at Harlem.

In all, the Wildcats have 16 players on their roster this season, which means Faulkinberry will have some depth to work with, as well as a solid group of young players in which to build for the future.

But building for the future isn’t all Harlem wants to do. The Wildcats want to compete in the 2B, just as they always try to do. The conference is led by tough teams like Malta and Glasgow, while Wolf Point should also be strong. The league did lose Plentywood, which dropped to Class C, but it will still be a strong volleyball conference again this season.

Harlem began its season at the Malta Invitational, and will open district play this week.

Havre Daily News/Roger Miller

The 2015 Harlem High School volleyball team poses for a team photo before a practice earlier this summer. The Wildcats have strong numbers and plenty of enthusiasm as they head into another season of Class B volleyball.

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Pioneers on track to improve on the field Chris Peterson Havre Daily News cpeterson@havredailynews.com The Big Sandy football program has a strong and proud tradition.

In fact, the Pioneers played for the Class C Six-Man state championship earlier this decade. But, they have fallen on hard times, which is something second-year head coach Walt Sivertsen is hoping to change.

Sivertsen and the Pioneers were 3-6 a season ago in his first year at the helm. And while the Pioneers did not win as many games as they hoped, a mid-season victory over eventual playoff team Sunburst has given Sivertsen hope that his team can compete and contend and in the difficult North Division of Six-Man football.

“We did OK last season,” Sivertsen said. “I think we struggled a little bit with the aggressive side of things and that cost us a couple of games, I think. Two teams we lost to at home, we beat the team that beat both of them, so it was just us not being aggressive enough, I think.”

Big Sandy is a young football team and the Pioneers will be without their stud running back Kyle Strutz, who earned All-State honors a season ago but graduated last season. In all, the Pioneers lost six seniors.

“We have a pretty young team,” Sivertsen said. “We have three seniors, three juniors, three sophomores and one freshman. So we have 10 kids right now and that is probably all that we will get. But they are all looking pretty good and they are working hard.”

One positive is that the Pioneers do return their starting quarterback from a season ago and that is Zach Works, who played well for the team a year ago and Sivertsen is hoping for good things from him this season.

“He has played quarterback for the last two years for us,” Sivertsen said. “And he has been looking really good in practice, so we are expecting a lot from him this season.”

At running back, an important position in six-man football, the Pioneers will be looking to replace Strutz with a committee approach that features senior Josh Solf as well as junior Laurence Alderdice, in addition to Weston Alderdice.

Duke Darlington will also lead the way for the Pioneers on defense at the linebacker position.

“Josh is a fast kid; he runs track and is one the faster kids in the state so we are hoping for big things from him,” Sivertsen said.

“But Laurence has also looked really good and so has Weston, who

is just kind of a bull back there.”

One of the biggest challenges for the Pioneers will be playing a loaded schedule thanks to the overall strength of the North division.

Not only does Big Sandy have to compete against defending Class C Six-Man state champion Geraldine/Highwood, but also perennial state title contender Denton-Geyser-Stanford as well as North Star, which seems to be in the playoffs each year and Box Elder, which has come up a game short from making the playoffs two consecutive seasons.

That doesn’t even include Sun-

burst, which earned the fourth and final playoff berth from the division a season ago or Valier, who should also be in contention this season.

Big Sandy will also do battle with teams such as Heart Butte and Augusta.

“There has been some changes, Geradline/Highwood graduated a lot of players but they will still be tough,” Sivertsen said. “North Star is going to be tough, DGS should be really tough and Box Elder will be too because they have a ton of experience. It just kind of boils down to how hard we play. I have

Havre Daily News/Roger Miller

The 2015 Big Sandy football team poses for a team photo after a summer practice. The Pioneers are looking to be much improved this season. been telling our guys that I know we can beat some of these teams, we beat them some of these teams last year, but it comes back to how hard you want to play and how bad you want it.”

Big Sandy opened its 2015 at home against arch rival North Star.

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Big Sandy spikers are more experienced this fall The future is looking bright for talented Pioneers George Ferguson Havre Daily News sports editor gferguson@havredailynews.com

Havre Daily News/Roger Miller

The 2015 Big Sandy varsity volleyball team takes a fun team photo recently at the Big Sandy High School gym. The Pioneers have a lot of returning talent and depth after being one of the youngest volleyball teams in all of Class C last season. Big Sandy also has a new head coach in Mickey Pansch.

A year ago, the Big Sandy Pioneers were definitely in a rebuilding mode on the volleyball court.

In fact, Big Sandy started more freshmen a year ago than they did upperclassmen.

Now, however, those freshmen are a year older, and with a new head coach in Mickey Pansch, the Pioneers are looking to improve on a fifth-place finish in the 6C East in 2014.

Big Sandy has talent, there’s no denying that, but the Pioneers will still be a very young team this fall.

Many of those young players have at least one year of varsity volleyball under their belts.

Jenna Leader, Jessica Roth and Maddie Reichelt were all young standouts for the Pioneers a year ago, and they will be expected to lead the way again this season.

But that trio has help, too.

Big Sandy’s roster also includes plenty of strong athletes including, Andrea Ruttledge, Cheyenne Pegar, Dakota Terry, Jasmine Genereux, Lisa Pegar, Molly Cain and Sophie Reichelt.

Together, that group will try to climb the ladder in what is a tough 6C. With teams like Chinook, North Star and Chester/J-I ready to be the top teams in the league, the young Pioneers will have an uphill battle. However, with the talent and experience Big Sandy has, they’ll look to be the surprise team of the 6C this coming season.

“Yes, our district is tough once again,” she said. “Chinook returns some great players, North Star has a lot of girls returning and Box Elder has really improved a lot.

They were really tough last year.

And Big Sandy was a really young team last year. So this district is really tough, and with volleyball, you just never know what’s going to happen.”

The Pioneers open their season with a home match against Belt, and then a trip to the Belt Tournament, before playing the North Star Jamboree.

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Harlem enters a new football era

Havre Daily News/Roger Miller

The 2015 Harlem High School varsity football team poses for a team photo at Wildcat Field earlier this summer. The Wildcats are looking to break through this coming season after going winless a year ago. And they have a new head coach leading them in Kelly Mills. Still, with tough teams to face in the District 2B, the Wildcats will have an uphill battle again this season.

Chris Peterson Havre Daily News cpeterson@havredailynews.com The Harlem Wildcat football team has long been a respectable program. Former head coach Joe Shupe worked hard to make it so, but now, the Wildcats have a new man in charge.

His name is Kelly Mills and when it comes to Harlem football — he is thinking big.

Mills is no stranger to high school football, in fact he has been in the coaching business for more than a decade, with the last seven spent as the head coach of a high school program in Arkansas.

“At my last job, when I got to the school there had never been a football program there,” Mills

said. “So there are some similarities between that school and here.

They obviously have been playing football and have a good tradition, but in terms of numbers of players and things like that, it’s very similar. But, we have some good athletes, we just want to try and get them to buy in more to the football program here. That’s our goal.”

There is no doubt that the Wildcats have some good athletes, but Mills and his team will still need to overcome a recent history that has not been so kind. Over the past two seasons, the Wildcats have posted a 1-15 record and are currently in the midst of an 11-game losing streak.

Mills believes, though, he has some ideas that can get the program turned around.

“I come from Arkansas and down there we ran a no-huddle, hurry-up type of system, so that is what I want to bring here,” Mills said. “So we are working with the kids on getting that system put in, but I am also really focused on just trying to build those relationships. I want to get these kids in the weight room lifting and having a real commitment to playing football, so that is the biggest focus for me right now.”

The key to installing Mills’ nohuddle offense may be the quarterback position and that’s where sophomore Tevon Messerly will come in as he will take control of the offense. Having a young quarterback can make things difficult, but it also provides hope for the future, which is something Mills is focusing on.

“It’s a new system and he’s just a sophomore, so it will be a challenge for him,” Mills said. “But, I think it’s going to be a good thing.

He can be a starter for us for three years, which will be a big positive and so far he’s done well.”

While Messerly will be a big key in the offense, junior running back Damon Adams will also play a pivotal role, as will slot receiver Tyus Hammett, who is also a junior.

“In my offense, the quarterback, the running back and the slot receiver are the three biggest parts,” Mills said. “None of those guys are real big, but they are all quick and they all run the ball well.”

One thing that will hinder the task of Mills and the Wildcats getting a win this season will be the difficulty of the Northern B football conference, which includes

perennial powers such as Malta and Glasgow, as well as Poplar and Wolf Point.

Yet, the Wildcats non-conference schedule isn’t much easier as they will play at Shelby to open the season, as well as nonconference games against Roundup, Cut Bank and Conrad.

Regardless of whether or night the losing streak ends this season or not, Mills is in for the long haul and he is determined to do whatever it takes to put Harlem football on the map.

“I think that there is a lot of potential here,” Mills said. “I came here a year ago on a mission for my church and just knew this was the place for me. I am excited about building this and getting the program headed in the right direction.”

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Box Elder spikers excited about the future Chinook ready for more gridiron magic George Ferguson Havre Daily News sports editor gferguson@havredailynews.com

The Box Elder Bears needed a shakeup with their high school volleyball program and the way to do it was to bring back former Bears alum Kristie Pullin to take over as head coach of the program.

Pullin actually was brought in near the end of last year for the final three weeks of the season after the dismissal of the previous head coach. In those final three weeks under Pullin, the Bears made progress and even took Chester/J-I, a very strong volleyball team to five games at the district tournament before Box Elder was defeated and ousted from the tournament.

This season, Pullin believes that the Bears will sneak up on some people. More importantly, Pullin is just starting the process of building up the program. So far, she has 13 girls, just enough for a varsity and a junior varsity squad, but she wants more and from the sounds of it, so do the kids.

"We have 13, so that's enough to get some of our younger girls experience playing at the JV level," Pullin said. "But I really like the way the girls have approached it. They have had really good attitudes and have been working really hard.

They are really coming together as a group and as a team and that is really good to see. They want to do well and they are fired up about playing."

Pullin, who was previously the head coach of the Bears from 2006 to 2008, said she was excited about returning. She thought that the team really improved over the last

three weeks and even said some fellow coaches made note of the change in her team at last season's District 6C tournament.

"I remember some of the coaches coming up to me and telling me how much better the team was playing," Pullin said. "Tyra Gopher, she really came on at the end of the year and that was a big part of it. I think that she hits the ball as hard as anyone in our district. I am always telling our girls, if you can dig her, you should be able to dig anybody."

Gopher will be an important part of the Bears’ attack this season as she will be counted on to kill more balls and score more points than any other player. She will also be counted to help protect the net and will make a big part of the Bears' block up front.

Yet, one change that Gopher and her teammates have had to undergo with Pullin is the change of her offense. In the past, the Bears used a two-setter offense and this season, Pullin has decided to change that to a one-setter offense.

"We want to be the aggressive team," Pullin said. "We want to be attacking our opponents and attacking the ball, not just sitting back and waiting for things to happen."

Another key component of the Bears' offense will be Tia Russell.

Russell, along with Gopher, is a standout on the basketball floor.

Last season, she was a setter but, seeing that she is one of the most athletic girls on the team, Pullin decided to move her to a hitting position, which should help the offensive attack be even better.

"It has taken some time for Tia

Talented Sugarbeeters look to build on 2014 state title game run Chris Peterson Havre Daily News cpeterson@havredailynews.com

Havre Daily News/Chris Peterson

The 2015 Box Elder volleyball team takes a team photo earlier this season. The Bears have a new, but familiar head coach in Kristie Pullin, and optimism is high in Box Elder this fall. to get used to being a hitter," Pullin said. "And she has told me many times that she is frustrated. But, I think in the end, it will be the best thing for the offense. We are still early in the season and at some point, I know she will catch on."

The other girls who will see time on varsity this year for the Bears are Kendal Chandler, Trystan Abeita, Maddie Wolf Chief, Eve The Boy, Lillian Goper, Nikayla Anderson, Tesla Belcourt, Lanie Ameline, Miranda Raining Bird and Tallen

Oats.

"I really think that we are going to surprise some people this season," Pullin said. "I don't know if we will get out of districts, but I definitely think that we are going to be a lot better than people think."

The 2014 football season was a memorable one for the Chinook Sugarbeeters and, if they have anything to say about it, 2015 will be just as memorable, or even more so.

Chinook, which won the Northern C Division of 8-Man football a season ago and came within one win of the state championship before falling to Wibaux, may have lost some talent and experience from last season’s team, but the Beeters are driven, maybe more than ever, to stay on top.

“Since this is only my second year back in coaching, I don’t really know what it takes to stay on top,” Chinook head coach Scott Friede said. “That is something we will figure out as the season goes along. But, it’s kind of cool being on top. I know I would much rather start from the top position than down near the bottom.”

In order for the Beeters to defend their Northern C title and make another run at a state championship, they will need to overcome the loss of players such as All-State performers Gavin Gunderson and Lane Seymour.

Gunderson starred at running back for the Beeters and also at linebacker, while Seymour played both linebacker and wide receiver.

Both players were consistent playmakers and were a big reason why the Beeters made the run they did down the stretch last season.

Chinook will also have to replace other key contributors such as Lane Seymour, fullback Thomas Reid, Cody McCracken and Zach Schellin.

But, great programs have one thing in common: They don’t rebuild, they reload, and that appears to be exactly what the Beeters are doing this season.

Havre Daily News/Roger Miller

The 2015 Chinook varsity football team poses for a photo at Hoon Field in Chinook. The Sugarbeeters reached the Class C 8-Man state championship game last season and should again be one of the top teams in the Northern C this fall.

“We lost some really good seniors from last year’s team,” Friede said.

“And it’s hard to replace guys like Gavin Gunderson, Thomas Reid and Lane Seymour, as well as a bunch of others. They just bring so much to your team in terms of leadership and toughness. We will miss that.

But, we have some talented players returning and many of them have a lot of experiencing playing, so I definitely look at that as a big advantage for us.”

The Beeters, who finished 10-3 overall a season ago, may have lost their best running back and their best pass-catcher, but one thing they didn’t lose was their quarterback. That’s because Ian McIntosh, who has been starting for the past two seasons for Chinook, returns for his senior year, and according to Friede he has taken control of the offense.

“Ian has really taken control,” Friede said. “He has really stepped up as a leader and he is someone

we are going to count on a little more this season. But, he is a great kid and a great competitor. We are lucky to have him.”

McIntosh wasn’t always efficient a season ago, completing just 48 percent of his passes. Yet, he had a penchant for making the big play and averaged 147 passing yards per game to go along with 30 touchdowns and just eight interceptions.

The soon-to-be three-year starter, also was second on the team in rushing behind only Gunderson with 414 yards and 12 touchdowns.

McIntosh may no longer have Seymour to target with his throws, but he does have his other favorite target from a season ago — Kenneth Pruttis, who hauled in 16 passes for 260 yards and five touchdowns.

“Kenny really got things going for us in that championship game when nothing else was working,” Friede said. “And to me, I think he is capable of being a college level receiver. He has great hands and

is a great athlete. I don’t know if I know how to coach a college receiver, but I think he’s talented enough to be one.”

In addition to McIntosh and Pruttis, the Beeters have seven other seniors who will contribute on both offense and defense in Jake Norby, who is a tight end/safety, Travis Hamilton, who plays center, Derek Bell, who starts at fullback and linebacker, as well as Kevin Young and Jesse Dannels, both of whom will see time on the defensive line.

Owen Powell and Spencer Willman also add to the senior class.

Chinook also has a number of juniors who will look to take big steps forward in 2015 and one of them is running back Tate Niederegger.

Niederegger played behind Gunderson as a sophomore and racked up 308 rushing yards on 37 carries, which was good enough for an 8.3 yards per carry average. He also scored four touchdowns. He will

take on the starting role, but the Beeters will also hand the ball at times to Kade Friede, who is also a linebacker and the backup quarterback. Wade Schneider and Michael Warburton are two other juniors who could see time on the offensive and defensive lines.

“We have 33 kids total out to play football and that’s something that is really exciting,” Friede said.

“But we also have a lot of kids that played last year. So they know what it takes to win those tough games and execute in those key moments.

They did it last year, it was tough then and knowing the Northern C it will be equally tough this season.”

The Beeters, who will battle it out with the likes of Belt, PowerDutton-Brady, Chester/J-I, Simms and Great Falls Central for the top spot as well as one of the league’s four playoff berths, will open their season on the road at Centerville Sept. 5.

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Beeters poised for more success Bears set up for a big season Chinook looks to continue volleyball dominance

Chris Peterson Havre Daily News cpeterson@havredailynews.com

George Ferguson Havre Daily News sports editor gferguson@havredailynews.com Chinook has been a Class C power in athletics for quite some time now. And one of the sports the Sugarbeeters have dominated over the years is volleyball.

As much as the rest of District 6C would like to see that change, it’s not likely to happen in 2015.

Even after graduation saw several All-Conference Beeters leave the program last spring, Chinook should, once again, be a 6C powerhouse. The Beeters went undefeated in conference play a year ago, and won their second straight 6C East championship before they saw their season end in the fourthplace match at last year’s Northern C divisional.

Now, Chinook, and third-year head coach Mollie Rose, return a loaded roster with talented seniors and juniors, all of whom have a lot of playing experience, not to mention athleticism.

The Beeters did lose several key players, like middle-hitter

Havre Daily News/Roger Miller

The 2015 Chinook High School varsity volleyball team poses for a team photo recently at the Chinook gymnasium. After going undefeated in the District 6C East and winning their second straight conference championship in 2014, the Sugarbeeters are once again picked to be the top team in the league this season. Chinook hosts its own invitational tournament Sept. 4-5.

Katelyn Neibauer, and several other All-Conference seniors. But that doesn't seem to change the fact that everyone is picking the Beeters to be the top team in the 6C East, yet again.

“I’m looking forward to this season,” Rose said. “It should be another good one for us. We have a lot of girls back, and we have quite a few experienced players.”

The experience and talent starts with standouts like Brooke Nicholson and Cortney Gunderson, both of whom are multi-year starters. Lauren Harshman is another

standout who was a major contributor a season ago.

But the talent doesn’t stop with that trio. Kailee Kleinjan, Taylor Neibauer, Nicole McCracken, Brooke Elliot, Kelsey Mathon, Sierra Swank and Abigail Ellison all have volleyball experience and plenty of athletic ability too.

The Beeters also have depth, which is something that’s pretty rare in Class C volleyball. With the likes of Rio Overcast and Hailey McMaster on the roster as well, The Beeters’ depth gives them a strong advantage in a 6C

East which also includes talented teams like North Star, Chester/J-I and Fort Benton.

But depth isn’t the only thing the Beeters have going for them.

With the deep roster comes multiple players who can be effective at every position on the floor, and that, too, will aid Chinook in its quest for continued dominance in the 6C. “We’re going to be pretty athletic,” Rose said. “And we’re usually a pretty good passing team. We also have some young guns in the front row, so I think we’ll be pretty

strong at the net, too.”

Yes, there’s no doubt the Beeters have all the ingredients to, once again, be the cream of the 6C crop.

But, Chinook would also like to take it further and return to the state tournament.

“I think we can have a good season,” Rose said. “These girls work really hard and have a lot of fun.

So we expect to have a really good season again.”

Chinook opens its season at Fort Benton, then plays at the Malta Invitational before hosting the Chinook Invitational Sept. 4-5.

The Box Elder football team is looking to reach new heights in the 2015 season, and for the Bears that means working their way into the Class C Six-Man playoffs.

The Bears, who are traditionally strong in football have come close in each of the past two seasons, posting a 3-5 record in 2013 and a 4-4 record a season ago. But, unfortunately, both times the Bears came up just one game short. And while Box Elder may have a new head coach in Neal Rosette Jr., their goal has stayed the same.

"I think that if we can break through and make the playoffs that would be a huge thing for our program," Rosette said. "It's something that we haven't done in probably 25 years, but I think we have a really good shot this year.

Obviously, the Northern division is always very tough, but we feel like we will be right there at the top with everybody else."

Part of the reason why the Bears are so optimistic about the 2015 season is the return of Brandon The Boy, who will be the team's starting quarterback for the fourth straight season. The Boy, who is also a basketball star for the Bears, earned All-Conference honors at quarterback a season ago and will lead a talented offensive attack that features fellow All-Conference receiver Jerrod Four Colors as well as running back Bodis Duran.

The Boy and Four Colors, who are both seniors, formed one of the best quarterback-receiver combinations in the North division. And with the ability to throw the football, in addition to a solid ground game led by Duran, Box Elder finished last season scoring more than 41 points per game.

And down the stretch, the Bears offense really became prolific, scoring more than 50 points in three of their last five games, while scoring at least 41 in the other two.

"Brandon is a big part of our team," Rosette said. "Having him

Havre Daily News/Chris Peterson The 2015 Box Elder football team takes a team photo one week before its opening game of the new season. After just missing the Six-Man playoffs the last two years, the Bears are a strong playoff contender in 2015. back as a our starter and having Jerrod to throw the ball is a big part of our offense. Bodis is also going to be my running back. He had a really great year last year and we will rely on him a lot."

However, the Bears are about much more than just three players. Box Elder also returns the likes of Shane Ketchum, who will play receiver and tight end, as well as Jake Jones, who will play some receiver, tight end and running back. Pernell Morsette, who was a solid contributor off the bench for the basketball team a season ago, will also work into the mix at both receiver and running back.

"We have a lot of talented athletes on our team," Rosette said.

"These kids have stuck it out, they have worked hard in the offseason and in the weight room. I think we have a chance to put together a great season and hopefully that will make other kids want to be a part of the football program so we can keep building on it."

Of course the biggest obstacle standing in the way of a Box Elder playoff berth in the treacherous North division, which features perennial state-title contender Denton-Geyser-Stanford as well as defending Six-Man state champi-

ons Gerladine-Highwood.

Yet, as tough as those teams are, the Bears also have the deal with the North Star Knights, who have been a playoff team year in and year out under head coach Steve Simonson, as well as Sunburst, which edged out the Bears for the final berth a season ago.

Valier, Big Sandy, Heart Butte and Augusta will also be in the mix.

"The North is always going to be tough," Rosette. said. "GeraldineHighwood lost a lot of players to graduation but you know they are still going to be good. North Star is a good team, DGS will be tough.

It's a tough division but we really

feel like we can compete with any team."

Box Elder has a tough schedule, starting with Geraldine-Highwood.

Then, they will travel to Valier Sept. 4, before returning home for their first home game of the season against Sunburst Sept. 12. It will be an exciting year for the Bears and with so much on the line, each and every game will prove to be important.

"We are excited to get the season going," Rosette said. "These boys have worked really hard and hopefully all of that hard work pays off this season."

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BLUE PONY GOLF SCHEDULE Sept. 11 Sept. 17 Sept. 18 Sept. 26 Oct. 2-3

Lewistown (V-JV) - Pine Meadows 9:30 Billings Central - Eagle Rock Laurel Divisionals - Lewistown State - Sidney

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Blue Pony golf teams on the links

George Ferguson Havre Daily News sports editor gferguson@havredailynews.com While most area fall sports are just now getting underway, the Havre High golf teams are already halfway through their 2015 season.

And so far, it's been so good for the Blue Ponies.

Under third-year head coach Brett Gilman, the HHS squads return key players, and those players are already shooting good scores, which means the second half of the season could be an outstanding one for the Ponies.

The Blue Pony boys have a handful of experienced players, who have put some work in on the course this summer. Havre, which would have finished third at the Class A state tournament last October in Hamilton had it not been for a rule that only allowed divisional qualifying teams to score at state, returns all four players who played in the state tourney field.

That rule has since been changed, but it shouldn’t matter to the Ponies, who will be a Central A and Class A favorite this season. The Ponies are favored because of their talent and experience, with the return of seniors Jerod Boles and Jeff Miller, as well as juniors Dustin Haas and Kane Gabrielsen. All four have been to state each year of their high school careers. Miller and Boles were Class A All-State a season ago, while all four of HHS’ top players should contend for those honors this season. According to Gilman, they’re all interchangeable.

“With the crew we took to state last year all returning, I’m expecting our boys to be in the hunt for trophies, both at divisionals and state,” Gilman said. “That should be the goal.

“They are all four very close as far as how they play. They all shoot pretty much the same scores,” he continued. “So who’s number one or number four is pretty irrelevant with this group. It’s how they do to-

Havre Daily News/George Ferguson

The 2015 Havre High boys and girls golf teams pose for a team photo before the Havre Golf Tournament Aug. 20 at Prairie Farms Golf Course. The Blue Ponies' season is already nearly a month old, and all HHS players are playing well. gether. And I think they should do very well this season."

A total of 11 boys are out for golf this season, but the Ponies have plenty of experience and depth.

Havre lost senior Wyatt Lindbloom from the varsity last season, but juniors Trey Hanson and Aden Passon both have varsity experience and will battle for that full-time role this season. Hondo Owens, Kyle Kirkpatrick, Ryan Bakke, Gavin Mosbrucker, Tucker Carlson and Nic Keller are all upper classmen with experience as well.

Interestingly, the Havre girls have experience, too. The Ponies reached the state tournament as a team last season, even with four first-year golfers in their lineup. All four of

those girls are now a year older, and together with experienced seniors Randi Gabrielsen and Payton Howard, Gilman has a strong lineup to work with again.

“Our girls team has a good mix of players,” Gilman said. “We’re a young team overall, but a lot of those younger players already have state tournament experience. And we have some freshmen out with a lot of promise and potential, so it’s good.”

Gabrielsen was Havre’s top scorer a season ago, while Howard, who missed last season with injuries, had a strong sophomore campaign.

Add to that Mackenzie Tilleman, Regan Lammers, Grace Litzinger and Jordan Keith, who all played in

the 2014 state tourney, and the Pony girls have a great group to build on. Also, the arrival of a freshman class that features Teagan Fee, Kinzee Peterson and Marcee Murphy gives the Pony girls plenty of added depth not just for this season, but for seasons to come.

Of course, Havre’s schedule is also one that certainly helps prepare the Ponies for the postseason, which will see the Central A divisional tournament played at Pine Meadows in Lewistown and the Class A state tourney take place at Sidney Golf Club in Sidney. Havre not only travels to tough courses like Meadowlark Country Club and Eagle Falls in Great Falls, but also Laurel Country Club and Eagle

Rock Golf Club in Billings. The Ponies also host a pair of tournaments in Havre, including the Havre Golf Tournament next Thursday at Prairie Farms Golf Course and the Havre Invitational Sept. 5 at Beaver Creek Golf Course.

“Our (players) get exposed to different types of courses,” Gilman said. “The majority of them are nine-hole courses so they see some unique and interesting holes. But they play a lot of courses that really help prepare them for the end of the season. We play at Lewistown every year, and divisionals is there this year, so that always helps to know the course like that. But we play a lot of courses that will challenge us and make us better.”