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Nov. 13, 2015
www.havredailynews.com
Notebook: Northern looks for similair ending against Battlin' Bears n From Page 11 finishing strong. Of course, this year hasn’t been like other seasons for the Lights and beating the Bears Saturday will be no easy feat. RMC just knocked off Carroll College last Saturday in Helena, while the Lights lost 52-6 at Western. Rocky also brings the top passing attack in the conference to Blue Pony Stadium, and the best wide receiver in the NAIA in senior Andre McCullouch, who will be playing his last game as a Bear in what has been a brilliant four-year career. This season, McCullouch has benefitted from the emergence of quarterback Chase White, a former Shelby star, who started his career as a University of Montana recruit before mentoring under RMC great Bryce Baker the last two seasons. RMC also has a Northern connection at running back in junior tailback Kodee Varner. Both of Varner’s older brothers were standout defensive backs for the Lights, while the younger Varner went to FCS North Dakota before transferring to RMC. But while the Bears come to Havre feeling good about their win over Carroll, and the
fact they bested the Lights 46-0 back on Sept. 12 in Billings, it’s Northern’s senior day, and it’s the Lights’ last stand in 2015. And they’ll be fired up and excited for one more opportunity to make a statement before the season closes. “Our guys want to get a win,” MSU-N head coach Aaron Christensen said. “They want to find a way to come out of there with a victory.” Top Awards This being the final Frontier Conference Notebook of the season, it’s always fun to see how the Frontier Conference postseason honors might shake out. The Frontier’s Offensive MVP is probably a no-brainer at this point, as Tech junior running back Nolan Saraceni has put together an incredible season. Despite missing two games, Saraceni has racked up 1,390 yards and is averaging 174 yards per outing. If Saraceni wins the honor, he’ll be the first nonquarterback to win it in three years. Other offensive standouts this season in-
clude MSU-N’s Zach McKinley, who needs just 25 yards against RMC to get to 1,000 for the third year in a row, while McCullouch has been the top receiver in the Frontier all season. EOU quarterback Zach Bartlow leads the Frontier in total offense, RMC’s White is the top passer and EOU running back Jase Billingsley leads the league in all-purpose yardage. The Defensive Player of the Year honor is a little more up for grabs. UM-Western’s Reno Ward has had a huge season with his 13.5 sacks and 21.5 tackles for loss, both tops in the Frontier. But EOU linebacker Gary Posten has had another monster season, with 126 tackles. Carroll safety James Dowgin, Northern defensive end Tyler Craig and Western linebackers A.J. Wilson and Joe Coker are also in the discussion for best defensive player in the Frontier. The discussion for who will be Coach of the Year is now officially over. There’s no question Tech head man Chuck Morrell is deserving of the honor, as Tech has pulled off one of the biggest one-year turnarounds in league history. Western head man B.J. Rob-
ertson also dserves the honor for what he’s done with the Bulldogs, but there’s no doubt, Morrell’s quick turnaround in Butte is something very special. Honors Tech’s Clay Cavander is the Frontier Offensive Player of the Week. In then No. 9 Montana Tech’s 21-17 upset road win over then No. 1 Southern Oregon, Cavender rushed for 129 yards and one touchdown on 13 carries. He caught one pass for a touchdown and was 2-of-3 passing for 12 yards. Western’s Ward was named Defensive Player of the Week. In then No. 13 Montana Western’s 52-6 conference win over Montana State-Northern, Ward recorded 11 unassisted tackles, two assisted tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss (-29) and 2.5 sacks. Western’s Seth Mason was named Special Team’s Player of the Week. In then No. 13 Montana Western’s 52-6 conference win over Montana State-Northern, Mason kicked 7 of 7 P.A.T.’s and was 1 of 1 in field goals (27 yards).
Havre Daily News/Roger Miller MSU-Northern's Zach McKinley runs towards Eastern Oregon linebacker Gary Posten during a Frontier Conference football game last month at Blue Pony Stadium. McKinley is second in the Frontier in rushing and is closing in on another 1,000-yard season. The Lights finish their season Saturday against RMC at home.