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Notebook: Frontier Rushing title will be showcased in Havre n From Page 11
that still have a chance at the league crown, and the playoffs, and at least two of those teams will be eliminated following next Saturday’s games. Eastern Oregon is also in the hunt, and is playing well, but the Mounties don’t have complete control of their own destiny. EOU’s final four games include this Saturday’s visit from UM-Western, followed by games against College of Idaho, Rocky and Carroll College. So, with two losses, and already having played Tech and SOU, the Mounties need to keep winning, and will probably need a little help from someone else in order to win the Frontier, and finally reach the playoffs.
Chase is On When the Lights and Orediggers meet Saturday in Blue pony Stadium, it will also mean a clash of perhaps the two best running backs in all of the NAIA in Northern’s Zach McKinley and Tech’s Nolan Saraceni. And for the second straight season, they’re also battling for the Frontier rushing title. Saraceni, the reigning NAIA Player of the Year, ran away with the crown last season, and he’s leading the Frontier now with 111 yards per game. He’s also rushed for 670 yards and eight touchdowns this fall. McKinley is close behind though. He’s
coming off a 132 yard outburst against RMC and is now averaging 99 yards per game. McKinley has rushed for 593 yards and seven touchdowns this season. And, the closest pursuer to the top two is EOU’s Alfred Gross, who averages 80 yards per contest, so there’s no doubt, the Frontier’s rushing king for 2016 will be one of the two featured backs in Saturday’s homecoming game in Havre. Frontier Honors SOU's Matt Retzlaff was named Frontier Offensive Player of the Week. In then No. 8 Southern Oregon’s 29-39 home conference
loss to then No. 16 Eastern Oregon, Retzlaff caught nine passes for 180 yards and three touchdowns. He broke SOU’s career record for receiving yards. EOU's John Payne was named Frontier Defensive Player of the Week. n then No. 16 Eastern Oregon’s 39-29 upset road win over then No. 9 Southern Oregon, Payne had two interceptions. Montana Tech's Derrick Holt was named Special Team's Player of the Week. n then ninth-ranked Montana Tech’s 35-15 win over Carroll College, Harden was a perfect 4 of 4 in PATs and kicked a 31-yard field goal and a 35-yard field goal. In addition, he took over punting duties and had four punts for 144 yards including a 48-yard boot.
Havre Daily News/Colin Thompson MSU-Northern's Zach McKinley runs the ball during the Lights' night game against Eastern Oregon earlier this month at Blue Pony Stadium. McKinley comes into Saturday's homecoming game second in the Frontier Conference in rushing behind only Montana Tech's Nolan Saraceni.
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Sprouse sees ball, gets ball
MSU-Northern senior safety Logan Sprouse has quickly become a feared defender in the Frontier Conference George Ferguson Havre Daily News sports editor gferguson@havredailynews.com
Logan Sprouse, like so many other college football players around the country, is a long way from home, a long way from his family and the friends he grew up with. But, in less than two years playing defensive back for the Montana State UniversityNorthern Lights, Sprouse has found a second home, and he’s found a second family. The 5-11, 170-pound senior safety says that, while he’s only been at Northern
since the spring of 2014, the bond he and his teammates, especially his senior class has formed, has been nothing short of one big family. “We’ve all grown really close,” Sprouse said. “This team, from the younger guys to the seniors, is one big family, and it’s a family I love being with every day.” And Sprouse’ football family sure is glad he’s a big part of it. A native of Atascadero, California, Sprouse was a junior college cornerback when he arrived at Northern before he was set to be a junior. However, early in his first season with the Lights, he was moved to safety, and the rest they say, was history. Last fall, Sprouse registered 72 tackles, which was fourth on the Lights’ roster. But his impact was even bigger with his three interceptions, which was also a team-high. And in doing that, he proved the transition from corner to safety was a smooth one. “That was an adjustment at first, because I had always played corner,” Sprouse said. “But passing, catching the ball has always
been one of my strengths, so I just tried to work to my strengths. I just try to use my speed to be in the right position, and grab the ball when it’s near me. So it really didn’t turn out to be much different than playing corner.” Off the field, Sprouse said the adjustment to Havre and Northern wasn’t much different either. While he is from sunny California, he said Havre itself wasn’t a lot different than where he grew up, learning to play the game he plays so well for the Lights now. “The town I’m from, it’s pretty country,” Sprouse said. “It has a small-town feel to it, a lot like Havre does. So it’s not a whole lot different. I guess the biggest difference was,
n
Jim Potter Montana State University-Northern senior defensive back Logan Sprouse transferred to Northern two years ago. But even in a short amount of time in Havre, Sprouse has had a huge impact on a much-improved Northern defense.
MSU-Northern Lights vs Montana Tech Orediggers Location: Havre, Mont. Nickname: Lights Colors: Maroon and Yellow 2016 record: 1-5 (1-5)
2015 record: 0-11 (0-10) Head coach: Aaron Christensen Stadium: Blue Pony Stadium Streak: Northern hasn't beaten Montana Tech in its last four tires, dating back to the 2014 season.
Saturday, October 22, 2016 Blue Pony Stadium ~ 1 p.m. Montana Tech Location: Butte, Mont. Nickname: Orediggers Colors: Green and White 2016 record: 5-1 (5-1)
2015 record: 9-1 (10-2) Head coach: Chuck Morrell
October 21, 2016
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Orediggers on roll right now George Ferguson Havre Daily News sports editor gferguson@havredailynews.com The Montana State UniversityNorthern Lights are coming home, for a homecoming game, and, despite a loss last week at Rocky Mountain College, the Lights should be feeling confident. Northern played one of its best games of the season in a 21-13 loss last Saturday at RMC, a game in which the Lights controlled throughout. The Northern defense held RMC to just over 200 yards of offense, while the Lights’ offense, behind a big day from Zach McKinley, racked up over 400 yards. Of course, the only thing that mattered to the Lights was the final score, but still, they had to know how well they played, and that should give them some confidence for their homecoming game. And yet, confidence is only part of the equation, because the Lights
See Sprouse Page 6
Montana State University-Northern
11
are facing an absolute juggernaut. The Montana Tech Orediggers are starting to put a squeeze on the rest of the Frontier Conference. After being stunned in their seasonopener at Carroll College, Tech has won five straight games, and though it’s taken some help from the likes of Eastern Oregon and UM-Western through various games, the ‘Diggers now sit alone atop the Frontier Conference standings with just four games left in the season. Being in first place was thanks partly to Eastern Oregon beating Southern Oregon for a second time this season, but, the ‘Diggers deserve most of the credit. Tech has been extremely balanced in every way this season. The Orediggers
average 220 yards passing and 151 yards rushing per game, and, they have the players to do both very well. On the other side of the ball, Tech is first in total defense, and is first against the run and third against the pass. In other words, there’s little the Orediggers aren’t doing well right now, and that’s the team the confident Lights have to face Saturday at Blue Pony Stadium – a team that now has its sights set on closing the deal, and winning an outright Frontier championship. “They (Orediggers) are playing better than anyone else in our league right now,” said MSU-N head coach Aaron Christensen. “They are just a very solid football team.”
Today in the Frontier Conference No. 8 Montana Tech Orediggers (5-1, 5-1)
At Montana State University-Northern Lights (1-5, 1-5)
Stadium: Alumni Coliseum
Rocky Mountain College (3-2, 3-3) at Carroll College (2-4, 2-4) in Helena, Mont.
Streak: The Orediggers have won five straight games coming into Saturday's game at Blue Pony Stadium.
No. 21 UM-Western (3-3, 4-3) at No. 12 Eastern Oregon (4-2, 4-2) in LaGrande, Ore.
No. 17 Southern Oregon (4-2, 4-3) at College of Idaho (1-5, 2-5) in Caldwell, Idaho
2016 Frontier Conference Coaches Preseason Poll 1. Southern Oregon 2. Montana Tech 3. Carroll College 4. Eastern Oregon 5. College of Idaho 6. UM-Western 7. Rocky Mountain College 8.MSU-Northern
Big Games Down the Stretch Tech has by no means locked up the Frontier title. Not even close. But, the Orediggers certainly have the edge. Of course, Tech still has to travel to Southern Oregon on the final day of the regular season, but the Raiders have fallen off the pace
Havre Daily News Week Eight Frontier Power Rankings 1. Montana Tech 2. Eastern Oregon 3. Southern Oregon 4. Rocky Mountain 5. UM-Western 6. Carroll College 7. MSU-Northern 8. College of Idaho after losing to EOU last Saturday. And, besides the Tech SOU game, there are others that will help decide the league title. Included in that are two huge games next week with Rocky hosting Tech and Western taking on Southern Oregon. Those are the four of the five teams
n
See Notebook Page 12
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MSU-Northern Rewind
Lights just miss on win at RMC
Frontier Conference Standings
Montana Tech Rocky Mountain Southern Oregon Eastern Oregon UM-Western Carroll College MSU-Northern College of Idaho
Northern plays a well-rounded game, but comes up just short in Billings
Conf. WL 5-1 4-2 4-2 3-2 3-3 2-4 1-5 1-5
Overall WL 5-1 4-3 4-3 4-2 4-3 2-4 1-5 2-5
Saturday, Oct. 15 Rocky Mountain 21, MSU-Northern 13 Montana Tech 34, Carroll College 15 UM-Western 30, College of Idaho 20 Eastern Oregon 39, Southern Oregon 29 Saturday, Oct. 22 MSU-Northern vs Montana Tech Rocky Mountain at Carroll College Southern Oregon at College of Idaho UM-Western at Eastern Oregon
Havre Daily News/Colin Thompson MSU-Northern's Patrick Barnett, dives to tackle Eastern Oregon quarterback Zach Bartlow during a Frontier Conference game earlier this month at Blue Pony Stadium.
George Ferguson
Havre Daily News sports editor gferguson@havredailynews.com The Montana State UniversityNorthern defense might have been reeling after two rough games backto-back. But, on the road, against a very good offense, the Lights’ defense stood tall, and as a result Northern found itself in one of its closest games in years, and in a dogfight with the Rocky Mountain College Battlin’ Bears. Unfortunately, three truly huge plays by the Bears kept the Lights from getting over the hump Saturday at Herb Klindt Field in Billings, in what was a 21-13 RMC win. The loss was Northern’s third straight, and the Lights dipped to 1-5 in the Frontier Conference ahead of Saturday’s homecoming game with first-place Montana Tech. "The game went our way in a lot of ways," Northern head coach Aaron Christensen said. "Offensively, we played pretty well and moved the ball at times, and our defense played great for most of the game. But, we didn't do it in all three phases. We had some breakdowns in special teams, and that hurt us. "Hats off to Rocky," Christensen added. "They're a good football team. But on our side, when you look at how the game went, we feel like we let one get away." The first big blow to the Lights’ chances of upsetting the Bears, who also beat Northern back on Aug. 27 in Havre, came when Rocky freshman running back Sam Sparks answered
Northern’s 13-7 lead with 6:37 left in the game. MSU-N’s Tommy Langley had just booted a 23-yard field goal to put the Lights ahead, but on the ensuing kickoff, Sparks raced 93 yards for the go-ahead score. Still, even with Sparks’ shocking kick return, the Lights trailed by just one point with plenty of time left. On Northern’s ensuing possession, the Lights drove into Rocky territory again. But a holding penalty pushed it back. On the next play, Xerxes Savali hit Lights quarterback Caleb McLaren, forcing the pass to flutter. J.J. Taele came down with the interception, which turned away a huge chance for Northern to retake the lead. And it was a chance that Rocky backup quarterback Jacob Bakken wouldn’t give the Lights again, because with 1:21 left, and the Bears leading 14-13, Bakken sprinted through a hole in the Lights’ defensive line and raced 56 yards to the house to put the Bears ahead by eight, and when Northern couldn’t get anything going on offense after, the TD put the game on ice. Bakken was in the game due to an injury to Rocky star quarterback Chase White. "You can always look at different things and say they were the difference," Christensen said. "We played well offensively, but if we finish a couple more drives the outcome is probably different. We played well defensively, but we had a huge special teams breakdown. So we didn't put a complete game together in all three phases, and you have to do that to win games in this conference." And while three big plays cost the
Lights a chance to steal a Frontier road win, Northern performed admirably from start to finish, especially defensively where the Lights allowed just 240 total yards, held the RMC passing attack to just 102 yards and the normally potent Bears to just 11 total first downs by RMC, three of which came on Rocky’s second possession when they took an early 7-0 lead on a White TD pass. Northern closed the first quarter with Langley’s first of two field goals, and the Lights took a 10-7 lead into halftime after McLaren threw a 63-yard touchdown pass to budding freshman star Dylan Rychtarik with 6:06 left in the half. From there, Northern’s defense kept the Bears in check. Alec Wagner finished the game with six tackles and a sack, while Logan Sprouse and Dujuawan Jones had interceptions. David N’Guessa also had a sack and Garet Fowler had eight stops for a stingy MSU-N defense. Offensively, Northern was paced by Zach McKinley, who torched the Bears for 132 yards on 22 carries with a long of 38, as the Lights nearly doubled the Bears with 407 yards and 17 first downs. McLaren was also solid, throwing for 260 yards and a score with two picks. He completed passes to 10 different receivers with Sam Mix catching five for 65 yards, Rychtarik grabbing four balls for 86 yards and Mike Cocke catching three passes for 39 yards. "The kids played hard, and they played pretty well for much of the game," Christensen said. "It was a close game against a good football team and we just came up short at the end."
NAIA Coaches Poll
1. Marian (Ind.) (14) 2. Baker (Kan.) 3. Reinhardt (Ga.) 4. Saint Francis (Ind.) 4. Morningside (Iowa) 6. Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) 7. Grand View (Iowa) 8. Montana Tech 9. Doane (Neb.) 10. Georgetown (Ky.) 11. Missouri Valley 12. Eastern Oregon 12. Dickinson State (N.D.)
Rec. Pts Prv.
7-0 7-0 7-0 6-1 5-1 8-0 6-1 5-1 6-1 6-1 6-1 4-2 6-1
314 302 281 274 274 255 240 232 207 206 198 169 169
14. Kansas Wesleyan 6-1 15. Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) 5-2 16. Bethel (Tenn.) 7-0 17. Southern Oregon 4-3 18. Tabor (Kan.) 4-2 19. Benedictine (Kan.) 5-2 20. Southeastern (Fla.) 4-1 21. Montana Western 4-3 22. Midland (Neb.) 6-2 23. Dakota State (S.D.) 5-2 24. Robert Morris (Ill.) 4-2 25. Sterling (Kan.) 4-2
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 9 10 11 13 t16 14
165 137 136 135 111 99 81 66 47 39 36 25
15 t16 18 8 12 20 13 25 21 19 NR NR
Others receiving votes: :Arizona Christian 24; Rocky Mountain (Mont.) 4; Peru State (Neb.) 3.
Frontier Conference Individual Leaders Week Eight
Passing: Zack Bartlow, EOU, 283 ypg Receiving: Connor Fohn, CC, 105 ypg Receptions: Connor Fohn, CC, 8 cpg Rushing: Nolan Saraceni, MT, 111 ypg Tackles: Stanley Tucker, EOU, 67 Sacks: Luke Benz, MT, 6 sacks INT's: Gunnar Kayser, MT, 4 ints
Lights Coaching Staff
Jim Potter The 2015 Montana State University-Northern coaching staff. Back row, left to right: Cody O'Neil, offensive line; Ric Wells, defensive backs, Anvil Sinsibaugh, wide receivers and Darold DeBolt, defensive line. Front row, left to right, Jake Eldridge, defensive coordinator and strength and conditioning; Malcolm Manuel, running backs; Aaron Christensen, head coach and offensive coordinator; Arthur Smith, linebackers; and Jorge Magana, linebackers.
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MSU-Northern Offensive Starters
Montana Tech Defensive Starters
MSU-N 2016 Offensive Numbers
TECH 2016 Defensive Numbers
Scoring: 19 ppg, last in Frontier Total offense: 287 ypg, last in Frontier
Mario Gobbatto #22, 5-8, 185 Receiver
Anthony Nelson #24, 5-9, 170 Cornerback
Rush offense: 114 ypg, 6th in Frontier
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MSU-Northern Defensive Starters
TECH 2016 Offensive Numbers
MSU-N 2016 Defensive Numbers
Scoring: 18 ppg, 1st in Frontier
Scoring: 34 ppg, last in Frontier
Total defense: 314 ypg, 1st in Frontier
Total defense: 378 ypg, 4th in Frontier
Rush defense: 81 ypg, 1st in Frontier
Rush defense: 138 ypg, 3rd in Frontier
Scoring: 36 ppg, 1st in Frontier
Aaron Christensen enters his second season as the Head Football Coach of Montana State UniversityNorthern. He brings with him a decade of coaching experience at the NAIA level. From 2012 to 2014, Coach Christensen served as the Offensive Coordinator and Recruiting Coordinator for Missouri Valley College (MVC).
Dylan Schmidt #74, 6-4, 275 Offensive line
Caleb McLaren #14, 6-0, 190 Quarterback
Jay Hembree #68, 6-1, 260 Center
Tyler Craig #91, 6-2, 245 Defensive end
Brock Beede #45, 6-5, 265
Drew Scheelman #51, 6-3, 225 Linebacker
Defensive line
Tyler Sanders #55, 6-2, 265 Nose tackle
Pete Morales #77, 6-3, 295 Offensive line
Luke Benz #43, 6-2, 245 Defensive line
Logan Sprouse #31, 5-11, 170 Safety
Zach Hulse #31, 6-2, 220 Linebacker
Nic Amestoy #36, 5-10, 218 Linebacker
Elijah Dennison #95, 6-2, 245 Defensive tackle
Rushing: 168 ypg, 2nd in Frontier
Elijah Cox #51, 6-5, 320 Offensive line
Jalen Whitney #57, 6-3, 290 Offensive line
Alec Wagner
Garrett Jericoff #1, 5-9, 165 Safety
Patrick Barnett #90, 6-2, 265 Defensive tackle
Mike Cocke #17, 6-0, 200 Receiver
Quinn McQeary #8, 6-3, 190 Quarterback
Nolan Saraceni #33, 5-11, 205 Running back
Kellan Davis #73. 6-3, 280 Offensive line
David N'Guessa #8, 6-0, 190 Linebacker
Trevor Hopf #78, 6-3, 275 Offensive line
Brock Polley #4, 6-2, 215 Linebacker
Tommy Langley #27, 5-11, 190 Kicker
Chuck Morrell TECH Head Coach
Jack Hape #58, 6-4, 280 Offensive line
#52, 5-11, 210 Linebacker
Jonothan Gregg #30, 6-2, 200 Bandit
Carlos Martinez
#5, 5-9, 175 Receiver
Andrew Loudenback #18, 6-3, 235 Tight end
Kagen Khameneh #15, 6-3, 225 Tight end Dillon Barnes #89, 6-0, 160 Punter
GaretFowler #12, 5-10, 205 Linebacker
Will Davey #23, 6-0, 185 Safety
Bowe McKay #5, 6-3, 225 Fullback
Total offense: 415 ypg, 3rd in Frontier
Ryan Stemple #66, 6-3, 290 Offensive line
Gunnar Kayser #11, 6-3, 215 Safety
Zach McKinley #24, 5-11, 210 Running Back
Sean Sullivan #10, 6-3, 205 Receiver
Dujuwan Jones #23, 6-1, 190 Cornerback
Clint Willis #75, 6-6, 280 Offensive line
Aaron Christensen MSU-N Head Coach
Montana Tech Offensive Starters
Corey Lee #3, 5-10, 175 Corner Andre Brown #1, 5-10, 180 Cornerback
Mitch Keeton #81, 6-3, 215 Receiver
Derrick Holt
#40, 5-9, 185 Kicker/Punter
This is Morrell’s sixth year at the helm of the Oredigger football program. He starts the 2016 season with a 29-30 overall record at Montana Tech and for his career. Last year guided the Orediggers to a 10-2 overall record and a second Frontier Conference Championship and postseason appearance in five seasons. Morrell arrived at Tech from the University of South Dakota, where he served as the defensive coordinator in 2009.
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October 21, 2016
MSU-Northern Numerical Roster
Montana Tech Numerical Roster # Name 1 2 4 5 8 9 10 11 12 13 16 17 18 21 23 24 25 26 30 31 33 34 35 36 38 40 41
Andre Brown Caleb Vance Brock Polley Carlos Martinez Quinn McQueary Reid Siderius Sean Sullivan Gunnar Kayser Chris Kelly Dion Williams Mick Paffhausen Dawson Reardon Andrew Loudenback Diovanni Brewer Will Davey Anthony Nelson Zach Bunney Eddie Smith Daniel Van Dyke Zach Hulse Nolan Saraceni Zach Winfield Ike Schweikert* Nic Amestoy Sam Hanich Derrick Holt Rial Gunlikson
Yr.
JR SR JR SR JR FR JR SR JR SO FR JR SR JR JR SR SR SR SO SR SR JR FR SO FR JR SR
Pos. Ht.
DB DB LB WR QB DB WR DB WR WR DB QB TE DB DB DB WR LB DB LB RB RB LB LB DB K DB
5-10 6-0 6-3 5-8 6-3 6-3 6-3 6-4 6-3 6-1 5-10 6-1 6-3 5-10 5-11 5-9 5-7 5-10 5-9 6-2 5-11 6-1 6-3 5-10 6-1 5-9 6-1
Wt. 180 207 215 170 195 195 205 215 200 195 175 210 225 170 200 170 175 210 170 225 210 220 210 225 200 207 205
Hometown
Compton, Calif. Missoula, Mont. Wichita, Kan. Dalton Gardens, Idaho Manhattan, Mont. Kalispell, Mont. Red Lodge, Mont. Colbert, Wash. San Diego, Calif. Fairfield, Calif. Dillon, Mont. Helena, Mont. Parker, Colo. Oceanside, Calif. Polson, Mont. Corona, Calif. Butte, Mont. Modesto, Calif. Helena, Mont. Helena, Mont. Billings, Mont. Helena, Mont. Coram, Mont. Helena, Mont. Missoula, Mont. Renton, Wash. Kalispell, Mont.
# Name
Yr.
Pos. Ht.
Wt.
Hometown
43 45 47 48 51 52 55 57 58 60 62 66 69 70 73 77 78 79 81 87 91 92 96 98
FR SR SO FR JR JR JR JR JR FR FR SR FR FR SO JR FR FR SR SR FR JR JR SO
DL DL LB LB LB DL DL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL WR P DL DL TE DL
240 265 230 215 230 240 265 295 285 270 275 295 265 300 275 300 270 270 210 240 265 280 240 253
Kidder County, N.D. Joliet, Mont. Gardner, Mont. Cody, Wyo. Butte, Mont. Helena, Mont. Helena, Mont. Billings, Mont. Bozeman, Mont. Olalla, Wash. Billings, Mont. Missoula, Mont. Kalispell, Mont. Steele, N.D. Moscow, Idaho Sandy, Utah Billings, Mont. Gig Harbor, Wash. Elko, Nev. Helena, Mont. Whitehall, Mont. Anaconda, Mont. Lewistown, Mont. Missoula, Mont.
Luke Benz Brock Beede Connor W Wines Carter Myers* Drew Schleeman Levi Dawes Tyler Sanders Jalen Whitley Jack Hape Nate Younk Hunter Berg* Ryan Stemple Truman Pisk* Grant Benz* Kellen Davis Alex Ravarino Trevor Hopf* Hayden Smith* Mitchell Keaton Slaten Long John Brennan Joey Orrino Andy Butcher James Foote
6-2 6-5 6-2 6-1 6-3 6-2 6-2 6-3 6-4 6-2 6-1 6-3 6-7 6-3 6-3 6-4 6-4 6-3 6-3 6-3 6-2 5-10 6-5 6-2
www.havredailynews.com
No.
Name
Pos. Ht.
Wt.
Yr. Hometown
No.
Name
Pos. Ht.
Wt.
Yr. Hometown
1
Garrett
Jericoff
DB
5'9
195
SR
54
Josh
DL
6'2
230
RFR Sammamish, WA
2
Jett
Robertston
RB
6'0
200
SO Glendale, AZ
55
Mitchell Harmon
DL
6'1
245
JR
3
Corey
Lee
DB
5'10
175
JR
56
Trenton
Woodward OL
6'5
240
RFR Three Forks, MT
5
Bowe
McKay
TE
6'3
225
SO Chehalis, WA
58
Adolfo
Robles
OL
6'2
270
SR
Bakersfield, CA
6
Sherman Arthur
DB
6'1
170
SO Watts, CA
59
Isaac
Joseph
DL
6'3
270
FR
Chandler, AZ
7
Jesse
LB
6'0
210
SR
8
"David" N'Guessa
LB
6'0
190
RFR Kent, WA
65
Dale
Cummings
OL
6'4
300
RFR Cremona, AB, CAN
9
Sam
WR
6'1
190
SO Sammamish, WA
68
Ryan
Handley
OL
6'3
230
RFR Clinton, MT
10
Donovan Garner
WR
5'8
175
JR
Miami, FL
68
Jay
Hembree
OL
6'1
260
FR
11
Jess
Krahn
QB
6'3
220
JR
Hokinson, WA
69
Brennan Lewis
OL
6'2
310
SO Fallon, NV
12
Garet
Fowler
LB
5'10
205
JR
Belgrade, MT
70
Robert
Johnson
OL
6'1
250
SO Stevensville, MT
13
Dylan
Rychtarik
WR
5'8
70
RFR Tacoma, WA
71
Linnwood Kirkland
DL
6'0
260
SR
Jacksonville, FL
14
Caleb
McLaren
QB
6'0
190
JR
Delta Junction, AK
72
Diamond Pedro
OL
6'3
310
SR
Tacoma, WA
15
Kagen
Khameneh
TE
6'3
225
JR
Missoula, MT
74
Dylan
Schmidt
OL
6'4
275
RFR Nine Mile Falls, MT
16
Holden
Maki
QB
5'9
170
SO Belt, MT
75
Clint
Willis
OL
6'6
280
SO Gardiner, MT
17
Mike
Cocke
WR
6'2
200
RFR Tacoma, WA
76
Casey
Cleveland
OL
6'1
265
RFR Great Falls, MT
19
Ethan
Snow
WR
6'1
200
FR
Hermiston, OR
77
Pete
Morales
OL
6'3
295
SR
20
Bryce
Bumgardner WR
6'1
175
FR
Saint Helens, OR
78
Jaxon
Simonson
OL
6'3
280
RFR Rudyard, MT
21
Jose
Martinez
DB
5'10
175
JR
Solidad, CA
80
Beau
Wilhelm
WR
6'0
200
JR
White Lake, MI
22
Mario
Gobbato
WR
5'8
185
SR
Blaine, WA
85
Kitrell
Willingham TE
6'2
205
FR
Parkland, WA
23
Dujuawn Jones
DB
6'1
190
JR
Monrovia, CA
87
Jordan
Pugh
TE
6'5
220
RFR Tacoma, WA
24
Zach
McKinley
RB
5'10
205
SR
Great Falls, MT
88
Seth
Roemmele
WR
6'0
190
SO Claresholm, AB,
25
Steven
Knight
DB
5'9
175
FR
Rancho Mirage, CA
89
Dillon
Barnes
P
6'0
160
SR
Alta Loma, CA
27
Tommy
Langley
K
5'11
190
JR
Tracy, CA
90
Patrick
Barnett
DL
6'2
265
SR
Billings, MT
29
Kaden
Barrus
DB
5'9
170
SO Gooding, ID
91
Tyler
Craig
DL
6'2
230
SR
Great Falls, MT
30
Jonathan Gragg
LB
6'2
210
RFR Missoula, MT
92
Lane
Urick
DL
6'1
285
SR
Great Falls, MT
31
Logan
DB
5'11
170
SR
95
Elijah
Dennison
DL
6'2
245
RFR Enumclaw, WA
32
Morgan McCrary
DB
5'10
190
RFR Las Vegas, NV
33
Brooks
Dunn
LB
5'10
190
JR
34
Garret
Severson
LB
5'11
170
SO Bonney Lake, WA
35
Dakota
Schelling
LB
6'0
185
JR
Fallon, NV
36
Colton
Boyle
QB
6'0
200
FR
Sammamish, WA
38
Dequincy Bergen
DB
5'10
180
FR
Houston, TX
38
Levi
Bixby
DB
5'9
175
RFR Ashland, MT
40
Sam
Schuler
LB
5'11
195
FR
41
Tovati "TJ" Gasetoto Jr. LB
6'0
215
RFR Tacoma, WA
42
Myltin
Bighorn
DB
6'1
180
RFR Poplar, MT
43
Bob
Schenk
TE
6'2
212
FR
44
Wyatt
McKinlay
FB
5'10
205
SO Geraldine, MT
45
Michael McKeen
LB
5'10
215
SO Oakley, CA
46
Jake
Norby
LB
6'2
190
FR
Chinook, MT
47
Jordan
Brusio
DL
6'1
230
SR
Billings, MT
49
Jaime
Toscano
K
5'8
210
SR
Baldwin Park, CA
50
Kyle
Martinez
LB
6'0
240
JR
Turlock, CA
51
Elijah
Cox
OL
6'5
320
SO Glendale, AZ
52
Alec
Wagner
LB
5'11
210
SO Laurel, MT
53
Austin
Rychner
DL
5'10
230
SR
Morales Mix
Sprouse
Hilmar, CA Moorpark, CA
La Habra, CA
Atascadero, CA Chandler, AZ
Enumclaw, WA
Missoula, MT
Ekalaka, MT
Wright
Rancho Cucamonga
Camarillo, CA
La Habra, CA
2016 Montana State University-Northern Football Staff Aaron Christensen, head coach and offensive coordinator; Jake Eldridge, defensive coordinator, strength & conditioning; Cody O'Neil, offensive line, recruiting coordinator; Jorge Magana, linebackers; Arthur Smith, linebackers; Malcolm Manuel, running backs; Anvil Sinsibaugh, wide receivers; Darold DeBolt, defensive line; Ric Wells, defensive backs. Athletic Director: Christian Oberquell; Certified Athletic Trainer: Nichole Borst; Sports Information: Kristie Pulin.
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Sprouse: Northern has a super talent anchoring its secondary
Sprouse: Talented safety says Lights are one big, close family
n From Page 2
n From Page 6
there was a lot more populated areas near me where I am from. Here, you can go a long ways and not see anybody else. So that was different. But I love it up here. It’s a great environment.” And Northern loves what Sprouse has brought to what is now a muchimproved defense. Northern’s seniorladen group, that also includes senior Garret Jerricoff alongside Sprouse at safety, as well as a front four that features the likes of Tyler Craig, Pat Barnett, Jordan Brusio and Lane Urick among others, is third in the
Frontier Conference in total defense, and is coming off its best game of the season, where the Lights statistically dominated the Rocky Mountain College Bears – a game that also included Sprouse nabbing his six career interception. “I think the biggest thing is, that I’ve I’m back there doing my job, and we as a secondary are doing our jobs, then, it helps out the guys up front,” Sprouse said. “Those guys are all great at getting pressure on the quarterback, and if we give them time to do it, we’re going to be suc-
cessful. And, when they get pressure like they do, they also make our jobs in the secondary a lot easier. So I think, when we’re all doing what we’re supposed to do, we have a really good defense.” No doubt Sprouse has been doing his job again this fall too. He has 30 tackles and three picks through six games, and is certainly playing at an All-Conference level. And it’s the interceptions he says he loves the most.
n
See Sprouse Page 7
Havre Daily News/Colin Thompson Montana State University-Northern senior safety Logan Sprouse returns an interception during the Lights' win over Carroll College last month in Havre. Sprouse has become one of the top safeties in the Frontier Conference, and, he's been a ball hawk, having picked off three passes this season to go along with a Northern-best three interceptions last year. Sprouse, a junior college transfer, says that pass coverage has always been a strength for him. Sprouse and the Lights square off against Montana Tech Saturday in Northern's homecoming game.
“That’s the best feeling,” Sprouse said. “When I see a ball come my way, knowing I did my job and I can give the ball to our offense, that’s what I love the most about playing defensive back. “Logan Sprouse is a very good football player,” Northern head coach Aaron Christensen said earlier this fall. “He has a knack for making plays at the right time. He’s a smart football player and he is just really steady in the secondary.” And steady is something Sprouse
has found in his brief, but productive Northern career. Steady, as in the family atmosphere and togetherness he has found in his team, and especially the MSU-N senior class. And while interceptions and making plays on the field is a big part of what he loves to do, it’s the bonds that he’s found, a long way from home, that have made his time in Havre so special. “I think last year, being what you would call a down year, really brought us all closer together,”
Havre Daily News/Colin Thompson Opposing quarterbacks in the Frontier Conference certainly need to know where Montana State University-Northern senior safety Logan Sprouse is at all times. That's because the talented Sprouse, who moved from cornerback to safety when he got to Northern, has six interceptions in his brief, but productive Northern career. Sprouse has also gelled with his fellow seniors, and he says that the senior class, as well as the entire Northern team, has bonded into a big family. Sprouse will look to challenge the Montana Tech defense when he and the Lights face the Orediggers on Saturday.
Sprouse said. “We really all connected through having to fight and battle through so much adversity. That fight really made this senior class really close, but it also helped us all bond with the younger guys too, and now, we really are a big family. “I love this team. We have a great bond together,” he continued. “They will always be my family. Even after I’m done playing football, I’m not ever going to forget these guys and the close family I made at Northern.”
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Sprouse: Northern has a super talent anchoring its secondary
Sprouse: Talented safety says Lights are one big, close family
n From Page 2
n From Page 6
there was a lot more populated areas near me where I am from. Here, you can go a long ways and not see anybody else. So that was different. But I love it up here. It’s a great environment.” And Northern loves what Sprouse has brought to what is now a muchimproved defense. Northern’s seniorladen group, that also includes senior Garret Jerricoff alongside Sprouse at safety, as well as a front four that features the likes of Tyler Craig, Pat Barnett, Jordan Brusio and Lane Urick among others, is third in the
Frontier Conference in total defense, and is coming off its best game of the season, where the Lights statistically dominated the Rocky Mountain College Bears – a game that also included Sprouse nabbing his six career interception. “I think the biggest thing is, that I’ve I’m back there doing my job, and we as a secondary are doing our jobs, then, it helps out the guys up front,” Sprouse said. “Those guys are all great at getting pressure on the quarterback, and if we give them time to do it, we’re going to be suc-
cessful. And, when they get pressure like they do, they also make our jobs in the secondary a lot easier. So I think, when we’re all doing what we’re supposed to do, we have a really good defense.” No doubt Sprouse has been doing his job again this fall too. He has 30 tackles and three picks through six games, and is certainly playing at an All-Conference level. And it’s the interceptions he says he loves the most.
n
See Sprouse Page 7
Havre Daily News/Colin Thompson Montana State University-Northern senior safety Logan Sprouse returns an interception during the Lights' win over Carroll College last month in Havre. Sprouse has become one of the top safeties in the Frontier Conference, and, he's been a ball hawk, having picked off three passes this season to go along with a Northern-best three interceptions last year. Sprouse, a junior college transfer, says that pass coverage has always been a strength for him. Sprouse and the Lights square off against Montana Tech Saturday in Northern's homecoming game.
“That’s the best feeling,” Sprouse said. “When I see a ball come my way, knowing I did my job and I can give the ball to our offense, that’s what I love the most about playing defensive back. “Logan Sprouse is a very good football player,” Northern head coach Aaron Christensen said earlier this fall. “He has a knack for making plays at the right time. He’s a smart football player and he is just really steady in the secondary.” And steady is something Sprouse
has found in his brief, but productive Northern career. Steady, as in the family atmosphere and togetherness he has found in his team, and especially the MSU-N senior class. And while interceptions and making plays on the field is a big part of what he loves to do, it’s the bonds that he’s found, a long way from home, that have made his time in Havre so special. “I think last year, being what you would call a down year, really brought us all closer together,”
Havre Daily News/Colin Thompson Opposing quarterbacks in the Frontier Conference certainly need to know where Montana State University-Northern senior safety Logan Sprouse is at all times. That's because the talented Sprouse, who moved from cornerback to safety when he got to Northern, has six interceptions in his brief, but productive Northern career. Sprouse has also gelled with his fellow seniors, and he says that the senior class, as well as the entire Northern team, has bonded into a big family. Sprouse will look to challenge the Montana Tech defense when he and the Lights face the Orediggers on Saturday.
Sprouse said. “We really all connected through having to fight and battle through so much adversity. That fight really made this senior class really close, but it also helped us all bond with the younger guys too, and now, we really are a big family. “I love this team. We have a great bond together,” he continued. “They will always be my family. Even after I’m done playing football, I’m not ever going to forget these guys and the close family I made at Northern.”
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October 21, 2016
MSU-Northern Numerical Roster
Montana Tech Numerical Roster # Name 1 2 4 5 8 9 10 11 12 13 16 17 18 21 23 24 25 26 30 31 33 34 35 36 38 40 41
Andre Brown Caleb Vance Brock Polley Carlos Martinez Quinn McQueary Reid Siderius Sean Sullivan Gunnar Kayser Chris Kelly Dion Williams Mick Paffhausen Dawson Reardon Andrew Loudenback Diovanni Brewer Will Davey Anthony Nelson Zach Bunney Eddie Smith Daniel Van Dyke Zach Hulse Nolan Saraceni Zach Winfield Ike Schweikert* Nic Amestoy Sam Hanich Derrick Holt Rial Gunlikson
Yr.
JR SR JR SR JR FR JR SR JR SO FR JR SR JR JR SR SR SR SO SR SR JR FR SO FR JR SR
Pos. Ht.
DB DB LB WR QB DB WR DB WR WR DB QB TE DB DB DB WR LB DB LB RB RB LB LB DB K DB
5-10 6-0 6-3 5-8 6-3 6-3 6-3 6-4 6-3 6-1 5-10 6-1 6-3 5-10 5-11 5-9 5-7 5-10 5-9 6-2 5-11 6-1 6-3 5-10 6-1 5-9 6-1
Wt. 180 207 215 170 195 195 205 215 200 195 175 210 225 170 200 170 175 210 170 225 210 220 210 225 200 207 205
Hometown
Compton, Calif. Missoula, Mont. Wichita, Kan. Dalton Gardens, Idaho Manhattan, Mont. Kalispell, Mont. Red Lodge, Mont. Colbert, Wash. San Diego, Calif. Fairfield, Calif. Dillon, Mont. Helena, Mont. Parker, Colo. Oceanside, Calif. Polson, Mont. Corona, Calif. Butte, Mont. Modesto, Calif. Helena, Mont. Helena, Mont. Billings, Mont. Helena, Mont. Coram, Mont. Helena, Mont. Missoula, Mont. Renton, Wash. Kalispell, Mont.
# Name
Yr.
Pos. Ht.
Wt.
Hometown
43 45 47 48 51 52 55 57 58 60 62 66 69 70 73 77 78 79 81 87 91 92 96 98
FR SR SO FR JR JR JR JR JR FR FR SR FR FR SO JR FR FR SR SR FR JR JR SO
DL DL LB LB LB DL DL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL WR P DL DL TE DL
240 265 230 215 230 240 265 295 285 270 275 295 265 300 275 300 270 270 210 240 265 280 240 253
Kidder County, N.D. Joliet, Mont. Gardner, Mont. Cody, Wyo. Butte, Mont. Helena, Mont. Helena, Mont. Billings, Mont. Bozeman, Mont. Olalla, Wash. Billings, Mont. Missoula, Mont. Kalispell, Mont. Steele, N.D. Moscow, Idaho Sandy, Utah Billings, Mont. Gig Harbor, Wash. Elko, Nev. Helena, Mont. Whitehall, Mont. Anaconda, Mont. Lewistown, Mont. Missoula, Mont.
Luke Benz Brock Beede Connor W Wines Carter Myers* Drew Schleeman Levi Dawes Tyler Sanders Jalen Whitley Jack Hape Nate Younk Hunter Berg* Ryan Stemple Truman Pisk* Grant Benz* Kellen Davis Alex Ravarino Trevor Hopf* Hayden Smith* Mitchell Keaton Slaten Long John Brennan Joey Orrino Andy Butcher James Foote
6-2 6-5 6-2 6-1 6-3 6-2 6-2 6-3 6-4 6-2 6-1 6-3 6-7 6-3 6-3 6-4 6-4 6-3 6-3 6-3 6-2 5-10 6-5 6-2
www.havredailynews.com
No.
Name
Pos. Ht.
Wt.
Yr. Hometown
No.
Name
Pos. Ht.
Wt.
Yr. Hometown
1
Garrett
Jericoff
DB
5'9
195
SR
54
Josh
DL
6'2
230
RFR Sammamish, WA
2
Jett
Robertston
RB
6'0
200
SO Glendale, AZ
55
Mitchell Harmon
DL
6'1
245
JR
3
Corey
Lee
DB
5'10
175
JR
56
Trenton
Woodward OL
6'5
240
RFR Three Forks, MT
5
Bowe
McKay
TE
6'3
225
SO Chehalis, WA
58
Adolfo
Robles
OL
6'2
270
SR
Bakersfield, CA
6
Sherman Arthur
DB
6'1
170
SO Watts, CA
59
Isaac
Joseph
DL
6'3
270
FR
Chandler, AZ
7
Jesse
LB
6'0
210
SR
8
"David" N'Guessa
LB
6'0
190
RFR Kent, WA
65
Dale
Cummings
OL
6'4
300
RFR Cremona, AB, CAN
9
Sam
WR
6'1
190
SO Sammamish, WA
68
Ryan
Handley
OL
6'3
230
RFR Clinton, MT
10
Donovan Garner
WR
5'8
175
JR
Miami, FL
68
Jay
Hembree
OL
6'1
260
FR
11
Jess
Krahn
QB
6'3
220
JR
Hokinson, WA
69
Brennan Lewis
OL
6'2
310
SO Fallon, NV
12
Garet
Fowler
LB
5'10
205
JR
Belgrade, MT
70
Robert
Johnson
OL
6'1
250
SO Stevensville, MT
13
Dylan
Rychtarik
WR
5'8
70
RFR Tacoma, WA
71
Linnwood Kirkland
DL
6'0
260
SR
Jacksonville, FL
14
Caleb
McLaren
QB
6'0
190
JR
Delta Junction, AK
72
Diamond Pedro
OL
6'3
310
SR
Tacoma, WA
15
Kagen
Khameneh
TE
6'3
225
JR
Missoula, MT
74
Dylan
Schmidt
OL
6'4
275
RFR Nine Mile Falls, MT
16
Holden
Maki
QB
5'9
170
SO Belt, MT
75
Clint
Willis
OL
6'6
280
SO Gardiner, MT
17
Mike
Cocke
WR
6'2
200
RFR Tacoma, WA
76
Casey
Cleveland
OL
6'1
265
RFR Great Falls, MT
19
Ethan
Snow
WR
6'1
200
FR
Hermiston, OR
77
Pete
Morales
OL
6'3
295
SR
20
Bryce
Bumgardner WR
6'1
175
FR
Saint Helens, OR
78
Jaxon
Simonson
OL
6'3
280
RFR Rudyard, MT
21
Jose
Martinez
DB
5'10
175
JR
Solidad, CA
80
Beau
Wilhelm
WR
6'0
200
JR
White Lake, MI
22
Mario
Gobbato
WR
5'8
185
SR
Blaine, WA
85
Kitrell
Willingham TE
6'2
205
FR
Parkland, WA
23
Dujuawn Jones
DB
6'1
190
JR
Monrovia, CA
87
Jordan
Pugh
TE
6'5
220
RFR Tacoma, WA
24
Zach
McKinley
RB
5'10
205
SR
Great Falls, MT
88
Seth
Roemmele
WR
6'0
190
SO Claresholm, AB,
25
Steven
Knight
DB
5'9
175
FR
Rancho Mirage, CA
89
Dillon
Barnes
P
6'0
160
SR
Alta Loma, CA
27
Tommy
Langley
K
5'11
190
JR
Tracy, CA
90
Patrick
Barnett
DL
6'2
265
SR
Billings, MT
29
Kaden
Barrus
DB
5'9
170
SO Gooding, ID
91
Tyler
Craig
DL
6'2
230
SR
Great Falls, MT
30
Jonathan Gragg
LB
6'2
210
RFR Missoula, MT
92
Lane
Urick
DL
6'1
285
SR
Great Falls, MT
31
Logan
DB
5'11
170
SR
95
Elijah
Dennison
DL
6'2
245
RFR Enumclaw, WA
32
Morgan McCrary
DB
5'10
190
RFR Las Vegas, NV
33
Brooks
Dunn
LB
5'10
190
JR
34
Garret
Severson
LB
5'11
170
SO Bonney Lake, WA
35
Dakota
Schelling
LB
6'0
185
JR
Fallon, NV
36
Colton
Boyle
QB
6'0
200
FR
Sammamish, WA
38
Dequincy Bergen
DB
5'10
180
FR
Houston, TX
38
Levi
Bixby
DB
5'9
175
RFR Ashland, MT
40
Sam
Schuler
LB
5'11
195
FR
41
Tovati "TJ" Gasetoto Jr. LB
6'0
215
RFR Tacoma, WA
42
Myltin
Bighorn
DB
6'1
180
RFR Poplar, MT
43
Bob
Schenk
TE
6'2
212
FR
44
Wyatt
McKinlay
FB
5'10
205
SO Geraldine, MT
45
Michael McKeen
LB
5'10
215
SO Oakley, CA
46
Jake
Norby
LB
6'2
190
FR
Chinook, MT
47
Jordan
Brusio
DL
6'1
230
SR
Billings, MT
49
Jaime
Toscano
K
5'8
210
SR
Baldwin Park, CA
50
Kyle
Martinez
LB
6'0
240
JR
Turlock, CA
51
Elijah
Cox
OL
6'5
320
SO Glendale, AZ
52
Alec
Wagner
LB
5'11
210
SO Laurel, MT
53
Austin
Rychner
DL
5'10
230
SR
Morales Mix
Sprouse
Hilmar, CA Moorpark, CA
La Habra, CA
Atascadero, CA Chandler, AZ
Enumclaw, WA
Missoula, MT
Ekalaka, MT
Wright
Rancho Cucamonga
Camarillo, CA
La Habra, CA
2016 Montana State University-Northern Football Staff Aaron Christensen, head coach and offensive coordinator; Jake Eldridge, defensive coordinator, strength & conditioning; Cody O'Neil, offensive line, recruiting coordinator; Jorge Magana, linebackers; Arthur Smith, linebackers; Malcolm Manuel, running backs; Anvil Sinsibaugh, wide receivers; Darold DeBolt, defensive line; Ric Wells, defensive backs. Athletic Director: Christian Oberquell; Certified Athletic Trainer: Nichole Borst; Sports Information: Kristie Pulin.
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October 21, 2016
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MSU-Northern Offensive Starters
Montana Tech Defensive Starters
MSU-N 2016 Offensive Numbers
TECH 2016 Defensive Numbers
Scoring: 19 ppg, last in Frontier Total offense: 287 ypg, last in Frontier
Mario Gobbatto #22, 5-8, 185 Receiver
Anthony Nelson #24, 5-9, 170 Cornerback
Rush offense: 114 ypg, 6th in Frontier
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October 21, 2016
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MSU-Northern Defensive Starters
TECH 2016 Offensive Numbers
MSU-N 2016 Defensive Numbers
Scoring: 18 ppg, 1st in Frontier
Scoring: 34 ppg, last in Frontier
Total defense: 314 ypg, 1st in Frontier
Total defense: 378 ypg, 4th in Frontier
Rush defense: 81 ypg, 1st in Frontier
Rush defense: 138 ypg, 3rd in Frontier
Scoring: 36 ppg, 1st in Frontier
Aaron Christensen enters his second season as the Head Football Coach of Montana State UniversityNorthern. He brings with him a decade of coaching experience at the NAIA level. From 2012 to 2014, Coach Christensen served as the Offensive Coordinator and Recruiting Coordinator for Missouri Valley College (MVC).
Dylan Schmidt #74, 6-4, 275 Offensive line
Caleb McLaren #14, 6-0, 190 Quarterback
Jay Hembree #68, 6-1, 260 Center
Tyler Craig #91, 6-2, 245 Defensive end
Brock Beede #45, 6-5, 265
Drew Scheelman #51, 6-3, 225 Linebacker
Defensive line
Tyler Sanders #55, 6-2, 265 Nose tackle
Pete Morales #77, 6-3, 295 Offensive line
Luke Benz #43, 6-2, 245 Defensive line
Logan Sprouse #31, 5-11, 170 Safety
Zach Hulse #31, 6-2, 220 Linebacker
Nic Amestoy #36, 5-10, 218 Linebacker
Elijah Dennison #95, 6-2, 245 Defensive tackle
Rushing: 168 ypg, 2nd in Frontier
Elijah Cox #51, 6-5, 320 Offensive line
Jalen Whitney #57, 6-3, 290 Offensive line
Alec Wagner
Garrett Jericoff #1, 5-9, 165 Safety
Patrick Barnett #90, 6-2, 265 Defensive tackle
Mike Cocke #17, 6-0, 200 Receiver
Quinn McQeary #8, 6-3, 190 Quarterback
Nolan Saraceni #33, 5-11, 205 Running back
Kellan Davis #73. 6-3, 280 Offensive line
David N'Guessa #8, 6-0, 190 Linebacker
Trevor Hopf #78, 6-3, 275 Offensive line
Brock Polley #4, 6-2, 215 Linebacker
Tommy Langley #27, 5-11, 190 Kicker
Chuck Morrell TECH Head Coach
Jack Hape #58, 6-4, 280 Offensive line
#52, 5-11, 210 Linebacker
Jonothan Gregg #30, 6-2, 200 Bandit
Carlos Martinez
#5, 5-9, 175 Receiver
Andrew Loudenback #18, 6-3, 235 Tight end
Kagen Khameneh #15, 6-3, 225 Tight end Dillon Barnes #89, 6-0, 160 Punter
GaretFowler #12, 5-10, 205 Linebacker
Will Davey #23, 6-0, 185 Safety
Bowe McKay #5, 6-3, 225 Fullback
Total offense: 415 ypg, 3rd in Frontier
Ryan Stemple #66, 6-3, 290 Offensive line
Gunnar Kayser #11, 6-3, 215 Safety
Zach McKinley #24, 5-11, 210 Running Back
Sean Sullivan #10, 6-3, 205 Receiver
Dujuwan Jones #23, 6-1, 190 Cornerback
Clint Willis #75, 6-6, 280 Offensive line
Aaron Christensen MSU-N Head Coach
Montana Tech Offensive Starters
Corey Lee #3, 5-10, 175 Corner Andre Brown #1, 5-10, 180 Cornerback
Mitch Keeton #81, 6-3, 215 Receiver
Derrick Holt
#40, 5-9, 185 Kicker/Punter
This is Morrell’s sixth year at the helm of the Oredigger football program. He starts the 2016 season with a 29-30 overall record at Montana Tech and for his career. Last year guided the Orediggers to a 10-2 overall record and a second Frontier Conference Championship and postseason appearance in five seasons. Morrell arrived at Tech from the University of South Dakota, where he served as the defensive coordinator in 2009.
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October 21, 2016
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October 21, 2016
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MSU-Northern Rewind
Lights just miss on win at RMC
Frontier Conference Standings
Montana Tech Rocky Mountain Southern Oregon Eastern Oregon UM-Western Carroll College MSU-Northern College of Idaho
Northern plays a well-rounded game, but comes up just short in Billings
Conf. WL 5-1 4-2 4-2 3-2 3-3 2-4 1-5 1-5
Overall WL 5-1 4-3 4-3 4-2 4-3 2-4 1-5 2-5
Saturday, Oct. 15 Rocky Mountain 21, MSU-Northern 13 Montana Tech 34, Carroll College 15 UM-Western 30, College of Idaho 20 Eastern Oregon 39, Southern Oregon 29 Saturday, Oct. 22 MSU-Northern vs Montana Tech Rocky Mountain at Carroll College Southern Oregon at College of Idaho UM-Western at Eastern Oregon
Havre Daily News/Colin Thompson MSU-Northern's Patrick Barnett, dives to tackle Eastern Oregon quarterback Zach Bartlow during a Frontier Conference game earlier this month at Blue Pony Stadium.
George Ferguson
Havre Daily News sports editor gferguson@havredailynews.com The Montana State UniversityNorthern defense might have been reeling after two rough games backto-back. But, on the road, against a very good offense, the Lights’ defense stood tall, and as a result Northern found itself in one of its closest games in years, and in a dogfight with the Rocky Mountain College Battlin’ Bears. Unfortunately, three truly huge plays by the Bears kept the Lights from getting over the hump Saturday at Herb Klindt Field in Billings, in what was a 21-13 RMC win. The loss was Northern’s third straight, and the Lights dipped to 1-5 in the Frontier Conference ahead of Saturday’s homecoming game with first-place Montana Tech. "The game went our way in a lot of ways," Northern head coach Aaron Christensen said. "Offensively, we played pretty well and moved the ball at times, and our defense played great for most of the game. But, we didn't do it in all three phases. We had some breakdowns in special teams, and that hurt us. "Hats off to Rocky," Christensen added. "They're a good football team. But on our side, when you look at how the game went, we feel like we let one get away." The first big blow to the Lights’ chances of upsetting the Bears, who also beat Northern back on Aug. 27 in Havre, came when Rocky freshman running back Sam Sparks answered
Northern’s 13-7 lead with 6:37 left in the game. MSU-N’s Tommy Langley had just booted a 23-yard field goal to put the Lights ahead, but on the ensuing kickoff, Sparks raced 93 yards for the go-ahead score. Still, even with Sparks’ shocking kick return, the Lights trailed by just one point with plenty of time left. On Northern’s ensuing possession, the Lights drove into Rocky territory again. But a holding penalty pushed it back. On the next play, Xerxes Savali hit Lights quarterback Caleb McLaren, forcing the pass to flutter. J.J. Taele came down with the interception, which turned away a huge chance for Northern to retake the lead. And it was a chance that Rocky backup quarterback Jacob Bakken wouldn’t give the Lights again, because with 1:21 left, and the Bears leading 14-13, Bakken sprinted through a hole in the Lights’ defensive line and raced 56 yards to the house to put the Bears ahead by eight, and when Northern couldn’t get anything going on offense after, the TD put the game on ice. Bakken was in the game due to an injury to Rocky star quarterback Chase White. "You can always look at different things and say they were the difference," Christensen said. "We played well offensively, but if we finish a couple more drives the outcome is probably different. We played well defensively, but we had a huge special teams breakdown. So we didn't put a complete game together in all three phases, and you have to do that to win games in this conference." And while three big plays cost the
Lights a chance to steal a Frontier road win, Northern performed admirably from start to finish, especially defensively where the Lights allowed just 240 total yards, held the RMC passing attack to just 102 yards and the normally potent Bears to just 11 total first downs by RMC, three of which came on Rocky’s second possession when they took an early 7-0 lead on a White TD pass. Northern closed the first quarter with Langley’s first of two field goals, and the Lights took a 10-7 lead into halftime after McLaren threw a 63-yard touchdown pass to budding freshman star Dylan Rychtarik with 6:06 left in the half. From there, Northern’s defense kept the Bears in check. Alec Wagner finished the game with six tackles and a sack, while Logan Sprouse and Dujuawan Jones had interceptions. David N’Guessa also had a sack and Garet Fowler had eight stops for a stingy MSU-N defense. Offensively, Northern was paced by Zach McKinley, who torched the Bears for 132 yards on 22 carries with a long of 38, as the Lights nearly doubled the Bears with 407 yards and 17 first downs. McLaren was also solid, throwing for 260 yards and a score with two picks. He completed passes to 10 different receivers with Sam Mix catching five for 65 yards, Rychtarik grabbing four balls for 86 yards and Mike Cocke catching three passes for 39 yards. "The kids played hard, and they played pretty well for much of the game," Christensen said. "It was a close game against a good football team and we just came up short at the end."
NAIA Coaches Poll
1. Marian (Ind.) (14) 2. Baker (Kan.) 3. Reinhardt (Ga.) 4. Saint Francis (Ind.) 4. Morningside (Iowa) 6. Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) 7. Grand View (Iowa) 8. Montana Tech 9. Doane (Neb.) 10. Georgetown (Ky.) 11. Missouri Valley 12. Eastern Oregon 12. Dickinson State (N.D.)
Rec. Pts Prv.
7-0 7-0 7-0 6-1 5-1 8-0 6-1 5-1 6-1 6-1 6-1 4-2 6-1
314 302 281 274 274 255 240 232 207 206 198 169 169
14. Kansas Wesleyan 6-1 15. Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) 5-2 16. Bethel (Tenn.) 7-0 17. Southern Oregon 4-3 18. Tabor (Kan.) 4-2 19. Benedictine (Kan.) 5-2 20. Southeastern (Fla.) 4-1 21. Montana Western 4-3 22. Midland (Neb.) 6-2 23. Dakota State (S.D.) 5-2 24. Robert Morris (Ill.) 4-2 25. Sterling (Kan.) 4-2
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 9 10 11 13 t16 14
165 137 136 135 111 99 81 66 47 39 36 25
15 t16 18 8 12 20 13 25 21 19 NR NR
Others receiving votes: :Arizona Christian 24; Rocky Mountain (Mont.) 4; Peru State (Neb.) 3.
Frontier Conference Individual Leaders Week Eight
Passing: Zack Bartlow, EOU, 283 ypg Receiving: Connor Fohn, CC, 105 ypg Receptions: Connor Fohn, CC, 8 cpg Rushing: Nolan Saraceni, MT, 111 ypg Tackles: Stanley Tucker, EOU, 67 Sacks: Luke Benz, MT, 6 sacks INT's: Gunnar Kayser, MT, 4 ints
Lights Coaching Staff
Jim Potter The 2015 Montana State University-Northern coaching staff. Back row, left to right: Cody O'Neil, offensive line; Ric Wells, defensive backs, Anvil Sinsibaugh, wide receivers and Darold DeBolt, defensive line. Front row, left to right, Jake Eldridge, defensive coordinator and strength and conditioning; Malcolm Manuel, running backs; Aaron Christensen, head coach and offensive coordinator; Arthur Smith, linebackers; and Jorge Magana, linebackers.
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Sprouse sees ball, gets ball
MSU-Northern senior safety Logan Sprouse has quickly become a feared defender in the Frontier Conference George Ferguson Havre Daily News sports editor gferguson@havredailynews.com
Logan Sprouse, like so many other college football players around the country, is a long way from home, a long way from his family and the friends he grew up with. But, in less than two years playing defensive back for the Montana State UniversityNorthern Lights, Sprouse has found a second home, and he’s found a second family. The 5-11, 170-pound senior safety says that, while he’s only been at Northern
since the spring of 2014, the bond he and his teammates, especially his senior class has formed, has been nothing short of one big family. “We’ve all grown really close,” Sprouse said. “This team, from the younger guys to the seniors, is one big family, and it’s a family I love being with every day.” And Sprouse’ football family sure is glad he’s a big part of it. A native of Atascadero, California, Sprouse was a junior college cornerback when he arrived at Northern before he was set to be a junior. However, early in his first season with the Lights, he was moved to safety, and the rest they say, was history. Last fall, Sprouse registered 72 tackles, which was fourth on the Lights’ roster. But his impact was even bigger with his three interceptions, which was also a team-high. And in doing that, he proved the transition from corner to safety was a smooth one. “That was an adjustment at first, because I had always played corner,” Sprouse said. “But passing, catching the ball has always
been one of my strengths, so I just tried to work to my strengths. I just try to use my speed to be in the right position, and grab the ball when it’s near me. So it really didn’t turn out to be much different than playing corner.” Off the field, Sprouse said the adjustment to Havre and Northern wasn’t much different either. While he is from sunny California, he said Havre itself wasn’t a lot different than where he grew up, learning to play the game he plays so well for the Lights now. “The town I’m from, it’s pretty country,” Sprouse said. “It has a small-town feel to it, a lot like Havre does. So it’s not a whole lot different. I guess the biggest difference was,
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Jim Potter Montana State University-Northern senior defensive back Logan Sprouse transferred to Northern two years ago. But even in a short amount of time in Havre, Sprouse has had a huge impact on a much-improved Northern defense.
MSU-Northern Lights vs Montana Tech Orediggers Location: Havre, Mont. Nickname: Lights Colors: Maroon and Yellow 2016 record: 1-5 (1-5)
2015 record: 0-11 (0-10) Head coach: Aaron Christensen Stadium: Blue Pony Stadium Streak: Northern hasn't beaten Montana Tech in its last four tires, dating back to the 2014 season.
Saturday, October 22, 2016 Blue Pony Stadium ~ 1 p.m. Montana Tech Location: Butte, Mont. Nickname: Orediggers Colors: Green and White 2016 record: 5-1 (5-1)
2015 record: 9-1 (10-2) Head coach: Chuck Morrell
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Orediggers on roll right now George Ferguson Havre Daily News sports editor gferguson@havredailynews.com The Montana State UniversityNorthern Lights are coming home, for a homecoming game, and, despite a loss last week at Rocky Mountain College, the Lights should be feeling confident. Northern played one of its best games of the season in a 21-13 loss last Saturday at RMC, a game in which the Lights controlled throughout. The Northern defense held RMC to just over 200 yards of offense, while the Lights’ offense, behind a big day from Zach McKinley, racked up over 400 yards. Of course, the only thing that mattered to the Lights was the final score, but still, they had to know how well they played, and that should give them some confidence for their homecoming game. And yet, confidence is only part of the equation, because the Lights
See Sprouse Page 6
Montana State University-Northern
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are facing an absolute juggernaut. The Montana Tech Orediggers are starting to put a squeeze on the rest of the Frontier Conference. After being stunned in their seasonopener at Carroll College, Tech has won five straight games, and though it’s taken some help from the likes of Eastern Oregon and UM-Western through various games, the ‘Diggers now sit alone atop the Frontier Conference standings with just four games left in the season. Being in first place was thanks partly to Eastern Oregon beating Southern Oregon for a second time this season, but, the ‘Diggers deserve most of the credit. Tech has been extremely balanced in every way this season. The Orediggers
average 220 yards passing and 151 yards rushing per game, and, they have the players to do both very well. On the other side of the ball, Tech is first in total defense, and is first against the run and third against the pass. In other words, there’s little the Orediggers aren’t doing well right now, and that’s the team the confident Lights have to face Saturday at Blue Pony Stadium – a team that now has its sights set on closing the deal, and winning an outright Frontier championship. “They (Orediggers) are playing better than anyone else in our league right now,” said MSU-N head coach Aaron Christensen. “They are just a very solid football team.”
Today in the Frontier Conference No. 8 Montana Tech Orediggers (5-1, 5-1)
At Montana State University-Northern Lights (1-5, 1-5)
Stadium: Alumni Coliseum
Rocky Mountain College (3-2, 3-3) at Carroll College (2-4, 2-4) in Helena, Mont.
Streak: The Orediggers have won five straight games coming into Saturday's game at Blue Pony Stadium.
No. 21 UM-Western (3-3, 4-3) at No. 12 Eastern Oregon (4-2, 4-2) in LaGrande, Ore.
No. 17 Southern Oregon (4-2, 4-3) at College of Idaho (1-5, 2-5) in Caldwell, Idaho
2016 Frontier Conference Coaches Preseason Poll 1. Southern Oregon 2. Montana Tech 3. Carroll College 4. Eastern Oregon 5. College of Idaho 6. UM-Western 7. Rocky Mountain College 8.MSU-Northern
Big Games Down the Stretch Tech has by no means locked up the Frontier title. Not even close. But, the Orediggers certainly have the edge. Of course, Tech still has to travel to Southern Oregon on the final day of the regular season, but the Raiders have fallen off the pace
Havre Daily News Week Eight Frontier Power Rankings 1. Montana Tech 2. Eastern Oregon 3. Southern Oregon 4. Rocky Mountain 5. UM-Western 6. Carroll College 7. MSU-Northern 8. College of Idaho after losing to EOU last Saturday. And, besides the Tech SOU game, there are others that will help decide the league title. Included in that are two huge games next week with Rocky hosting Tech and Western taking on Southern Oregon. Those are the four of the five teams
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Notebook: Frontier Rushing title will be showcased in Havre n From Page 11
that still have a chance at the league crown, and the playoffs, and at least two of those teams will be eliminated following next Saturday’s games. Eastern Oregon is also in the hunt, and is playing well, but the Mounties don’t have complete control of their own destiny. EOU’s final four games include this Saturday’s visit from UM-Western, followed by games against College of Idaho, Rocky and Carroll College. So, with two losses, and already having played Tech and SOU, the Mounties need to keep winning, and will probably need a little help from someone else in order to win the Frontier, and finally reach the playoffs.
Chase is On When the Lights and Orediggers meet Saturday in Blue pony Stadium, it will also mean a clash of perhaps the two best running backs in all of the NAIA in Northern’s Zach McKinley and Tech’s Nolan Saraceni. And for the second straight season, they’re also battling for the Frontier rushing title. Saraceni, the reigning NAIA Player of the Year, ran away with the crown last season, and he’s leading the Frontier now with 111 yards per game. He’s also rushed for 670 yards and eight touchdowns this fall. McKinley is close behind though. He’s
coming off a 132 yard outburst against RMC and is now averaging 99 yards per game. McKinley has rushed for 593 yards and seven touchdowns this season. And, the closest pursuer to the top two is EOU’s Alfred Gross, who averages 80 yards per contest, so there’s no doubt, the Frontier’s rushing king for 2016 will be one of the two featured backs in Saturday’s homecoming game in Havre. Frontier Honors SOU's Matt Retzlaff was named Frontier Offensive Player of the Week. In then No. 8 Southern Oregon’s 29-39 home conference
loss to then No. 16 Eastern Oregon, Retzlaff caught nine passes for 180 yards and three touchdowns. He broke SOU’s career record for receiving yards. EOU's John Payne was named Frontier Defensive Player of the Week. n then No. 16 Eastern Oregon’s 39-29 upset road win over then No. 9 Southern Oregon, Payne had two interceptions. Montana Tech's Derrick Holt was named Special Team's Player of the Week. n then ninth-ranked Montana Tech’s 35-15 win over Carroll College, Harden was a perfect 4 of 4 in PATs and kicked a 31-yard field goal and a 35-yard field goal. In addition, he took over punting duties and had four punts for 144 yards including a 48-yard boot.
Havre Daily News/Colin Thompson MSU-Northern's Zach McKinley runs the ball during the Lights' night game against Eastern Oregon earlier this month at Blue Pony Stadium. McKinley comes into Saturday's homecoming game second in the Frontier Conference in rushing behind only Montana Tech's Nolan Saraceni.