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August 24, 2018
www.havredailynews.com
Preview: Frontier will be as tough as it's ever been ■ From Page 11 with a transfer QB from Idaho State, and the return of the speedy Shane Sipes at WR. The Arntson brothers are also playmakers in the open, so if Carroll can move the ball down field, that will open things up for junior running back Major Ali, who is considered one of the best returning rushers in not just the Frontier, but all of the NAIA. So if Carroll starts to get its offense moving in the right direction, there’s no reason to think the Saints won’t return to the top of the Frontier, and quickly for that matter. Opener: at Rocky Mountain Aug. 23; Key Game: vs SOU Sept. 22.
Eastern Oregon 2017: 4-6, 4-6, T5th in Frontier Head Coach: Tim Camp (10th Season) Nickname: Mountaineers Location: LaGrande, Oregon Stadium: Community Stadium OUTLOOK: The Mounties have also been tough to figure out. Just when you think they’ll have a down year, they explode like they did when they went all the way to the 2016 NAIA semifinals. Then, when you pick them to finish high, they stumble. EOU did just that last fall, but head coach Tim Camp noted at Frontier Media Day that he wanted EOU to return to a fast-paced, wide-open offensive team, and an up-tempo, physical defense. In order for the Mounties to do that, they’ll rely on the likes of athletic QB Kai Quinn and a bevy of talented WR’s. Defensively, EOU has to replace star linebacker Michael Arenas, but several key tacklers and playmakers do return. EOU also has one of the best home field advantages in the Frontier, so, if the Mounties can pile up the wins in LaGrande and steal a couple of big games
on the road, they should return to the form they had in that memorable fall of 2016. Opener: vs C of I Aug. 25; Key Game: at SOU Oct. 13.
UM-Western 2017: 4-7, 4-7, T5th in Frontier Head Coach: Ryan Nourse (5th Season) Nickname: Bulldogs Location: Dillon Stadium: Vigilante Field OUTLOOK: Much like what has happened to Rocky in recent years, the Bulldogs have gotten off to fast starts only to falter late in Frontier play. Last year, a Dawg’s squad that was one of the top offensive teams in the league lost four of their last five games and three straight to end the season. Now, head coach Ryan Nourse must try and rebuild an offense that graduated its starting QB and RB, and against so many good Frontier defenses, that won’t be easy. Western does have playmakers in WRs Melvin Walser and Nate Simkins, but the Dawgs will be young at QB and RB. On defense, linebacker Jason Ferris is a beast, but again, Western needs new faces to step up there, too, so with so many experienced teams in the Frontier already, it’s going to be tough this season for a young Western club to keep pace. Opener: at Carroll Sept. 1; Key Game: vs Montana Tech Oct. 6.
MSU-Northern 2017: 0-10, 1-10, 8th in Frontier Head Coach: Andrew Rolin (1st Season) Nickname: Lights Location: Havre Stadium: Blue Pony Stadium
OUTLOOK: Everything is anew at Northern, and excitement is high as the Andrew Rolin era begins. Rolin’s debut has been highly-anticipated after the Lights have managed to win just two games in the last three seasons. And while Rolin no doubt inherited a big rebuilding job in Havre, he’s met that challenge head on, and his players have responded with a great fall camp. Offensively, Northern was turbulent last season, and explosive at times, and the Lights do return starting QB Tommy Wilson, a stable of WRs, a healthy Jett Robertson at RB and one of the best offensive lines in the league. So there’s no doubt the Lights can go on offense, but turnovers will be the key as the Lights have finished last in turnover margin in each of the last five seasons. Defensively, Northern had big struggles a year ago, and coordinator Jake Chestnut is hoping to turn that around, though he’ll have to do it with a young group, led by veteran linebacker Alec Wagner. Wagner is surrounded by a lot of young talent, including Justin
Havre Daily News/Colin Thompson The College of Idaho Yotes are considered one of the up-and-coming teams in the Frontier Conference this season after finishing 2017 with their first winning record since joining the Frontier. The Yotes come to Havre to play the MSU-Northern Lights on Nov. 10, which will be the final game of the regular season. Pfeifer at DT, but that young talent will have to grow up in a hurry for Northern to hang tough in what Rolin calls, “The SEC of the NAIA.” And while 2018 might be a rebuilding year for the Lights, Rolin’s foundation for the program is already being laid, and MSU-N fans are going to see a much different Northern squad on the field this season, one that is certainly headed in the right direction. Opener: vs Mayville State Aug. 25; Key Game: vs Eastern Oregon Oct. 6.
HOME COMING
9.14
FRI
7:00 pm - Volleyball against Lewis - Clark State College @ the Armory Gymnasium 8:30 pm - Lights Social @ the Oxford Bar
MORE INFO AT NORTHERNAF.ORG
9.15
SAT
10:00 am - Maroon & Gold Spirit Brunch @ the Diesel Technology Center 11:00 am - Lights Tailgate @ Havre Stadium 01:00 pm - Kickoff against Carroll College Fighting Saints 06:00 pm - Alumni Block Party between Old Station Brewing & the Eagle’s Club