Bitterroot Valley Fall Prep Sports Preview 2018

Bitterroot Valley Sports Preview, Wednesday, August 22, 2018 - 1

Photo Klint Cleveland for the Ravalli Republic

The Corvallis boys took home the Class A cross country title, while the girls took second place last season at the state meet in Helena.

Photo provided

The Florence Class B volleyball team took home the silver trophy in the state tournament last fall after a brutal battle out of the loser-out bracket to put themselves in the title game for the first time in program history.

Introducing NEW, on-going, prep sports coverage in the Ravalli Republic newspaper and online at ravallirepublic.com!

Photo provided

The Stevensville volleyball team had a strong second half and captured the No. 2 seed at the Southwest A district tournament last year.

Photo courtesy Jenifer Powell

The Corvallis Blue Devil volleyball team won the Western divisional tournament last season and brought home the third-place trophy at state last season.

AUGUST 22, 2018

2 - Bitterroot Valley Sports Preview, Wednesday, August 22, 2018

Bitterroot varsity football schedules

Class A Corvallis Blue Devils Opponent August 24 vs. Browning August 31 vs. Libby September 6 at Polson September 14 vs. Whitefish (Homecoming) September 21 at Frenchtown* September 28 vs. Hamilton* October 5 at Stevensville* October 12 at Dillon* October 19 vs. Butte Central

(Senior night)* *Denotes conference game

Time 7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

Hamilton Broncs Opponent Time August 24 vs. Whitefish 7 p.m.

August 31 at Columbia Falls 7 p.m.

September 7 at Browning 7 p.m.

September 14 vs. Polson 7 p.m.

(Homecoming) September 21 vs. Stevensville* 7 p.m.

September 28 at. Corvallis* 7 p.m.

October 5 vs. Butte Central* 7 p.m.

October 12 at Frenchtown* 7 p.m.

October 19 vs. Dillon 7 p.m.

(Senior night)* *Denotes conference game

Photo courtesy Diane Weeks

The Hamilton football team lifts quarterback Carson Rostad before last fall’s playoff game against Glendive.

Stevensville Yellowjackets Opponent Time August 24 at Polson 7 p.m.

August 31 vs. Browning 7 p.m.

September 7 at Ronan 7 p.m.

September 14 vs. Columbia Falls 7 p.m.

September 21 at Hamilton* 7 p.m.

September 28 at Dillon* 7 p.m.

October 5 vs. Corvallis 7 p.m.

(Homecoming)* October 12 at Butte Central* 7 p.m.

October 18 vs. Frenchtown 7 p.m.

(Senior night)* Class B Florence Falcons Opponent Time August 25 vs. Jefferson 2 p.m.

(WA-Griz, Missoula) August 31 vs. Salmon, ID 7 p.m.

September 7 at Bigfork* 7 p.m.

September 14 vs. Shepherd 7 p.m.

(Bobcat Stadium, Bozeman) September 21 vs. Anaconda 7 p.m.

(Homecoming)* September 28 at Deer Lodge* 7 p.m.

October 5 at Eureka* 7 p.m.

October 12 at Thompson Falls* 7 p.m.

October 19 vs. Loyola 7 p.m.

Sacred Heart (Senior night)* Class C 8-Man Darby Tigers Opponent Time August 24 vs. Seeley-Swan* 7 p.m.

September 1 at Victor* 1 p.m.

September 8 vs. Plains 1 p.m.

(Homecoming)* September 14 at Clark Fork 7 p.m.

(Superior)* September 21 vs. Arlee* 7 p.m.

September 28 vs. Troy* 6 p.m.

October 5 at Flint Creek (Drummond)* October 12 vs. Charlo

(Senior night)* October 19 at St. Ignatius* *Denotes conference game

Victor Pirates Opponent August 24 at St. Ignatius* September 1 vs. Darby* September 8 vs. Clark Fork* September 14 at. Troy* September 22 vs. Charlo (Homecoming)* September 29 at Seeley-Swan* October 6 vs. Plains* October 12 at Arlee* October 20 vs. Flint Creek

(Senior night)* *Denotes conference game

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

7 p.m.

Time 7 p.m.

1 p.m.

1 p.m.

7 p.m.

1 p.m.

1 p.m.

1 p.m.

7 p.m.

1 p.m.

Photo KYLE HOUGHTALING

Darby football coach Jeff Snavely looks on during a tackling drill at practice Tuesday. The Tigers are coming off a 4-5 season in the Western C 8-man division.

Bitterroot Valley Sports Preview, Wednesday, August 22, 2018 - 3

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4 - Bitterroot Valley Sports Preview, Wednesday, August 22, 2018

Bitterroot varsity soccer schedules Class A Boys Corvallis Blue Devils Opponent Time August 24 at Livingston 5 p.m.

August 25 at Belgrade 1 p.m.

August 31 at Billings Central 4 p.m.

September 1 vs. Laurel Noon September 6 vs. Hamilton* 3 p.m.

September 8 vs. Frenchtown* 1 p.m.

September 13 at Stevensville* 5 p.m.

September 15 vs. Loyola 11 a.m.

Sacred Heart* (homecoming) September 22 at Frenchtown* 11 a.m.

September 25 at Hamilton* 5 p.m.

September 29 vs. Stevensville* 11 a.m.

(senior recognition) October 6 at Loyola 1 p.m.

Sacred Heart* *Denotes conference game Hamilton Broncs Opponent August 24 at Belgrade August 25 at Livingston September 1 at Bigfork September 4 vs. Loyola

Sacred Heart* September 6 at Corvallis* September 8 vs. Libby September 13 at Frenchtown* September 15 vs. Stevensville* September 18 at Loyola

Sacred Heart* September 25 vs. Corvallis* October 4 vs. Frenchtown* October 6 at Stevensville* *Denotes conference game Stevensville Yellowjackets August 25 August 31 September 1 September 6 September 8

September 11

Time 5 p.m.

1 p.m.

11 a.m.

5 p.m.

3 p.m.

2 p.m.

5 p.m.

1 p.m.

4 p.m.

5 p.m.

3 p.m.

10 a.m.

Opponent Time vs. Libby 2 p.m. vs. Laurel 3 p.m. vs. Billings Central 10 a.m. at Frenchtown* 5 p.m. vs. Loyola 1 p.m.

Sacred Heart* vs. Corvallis* 5 p.m.

September 15 at Hamilton* 1 p.m.

September 18 at Columbia Falls 3 p.m.

September 20 vs. Frenchtown* 5 p.m.

September 25 at Loyola 5 p.m.

Sacred Heart* September 29 at Corvallis* 1 p.m.

October 6 vs. Hamilton* 10 a.m. *Denotes conference game Class A girls Corvallis Blue Devils Opponent Time August 24 at Livingston 3 p.m.

August 25 at Belgrade 11 a.m.

August 31 vs Billings Central 2 p.m.

September 1 vs. Laurel 10 a.m.

September 6 vs. Hamilton* 5 p.m.

September 8 vs. Frenchtown* 11 a.m.

September 13 at Stevensville* 3 p.m.

September 15 vs. Loyola 1 p.m.

Sacred Heart* (homecoming) September 22 at Frenchtown* 1 p.m.

September 25 at Hamilton* 3 p.m.

September 29 vs. Stevensville* 1 p.m.

(senior recognition) October 6 at Loyola 11 a.m.

Sacred Heart* *Denotes conference game Hamilton Broncs Opponent August 24 at Belgrade August 25 at Livingston September 1 at Bigfork September 4 vs. Loyola

Sacred Heart* September 6 at Corvallis* September 8 vs. Libby September 13 at Frenchtown* September 15 vs. Stevensville* September 18 at Loyola

Sacred Heart* September 25 vs. Corvallis* October 4 vs. Frenchtown* October 6 at Stevensville* *Denotes conference game

Time 3 p.m.

1 p.m.

1 p.m.

3 p.m.

5 p.m.

Noon 3 p.m.

11 a.m.

6 p.m.

3 p.m.

5 p.m.

Noon

Photo Diane Weeks for the Ravalli Republic

Rylee Wiediger, who was first-team all-conference last season, returns to the Hamilton soccer team for her junior season. The Broncs were edged in the Class A state semifinals last season by Laurel, the eventual state champs.

Stevensville Yellowjackets Opponent Time August 25 vs. Libby Noon August 31 vs. Laurel 5 p.m.

September 1 vs. Billings Central Noon September 6 at Frenchtown* 3 p.m.

September 8 vs. Loyola 3 p.m.

Sacred Heart* September 11 vs. Corvallis* 3 p.m.

September 15 at Hamilton* 11 a.m.

September 18 at Columbia Falls 5 p.m.

September 20 vs. Frenchtown* 3 p.m.

September 25 at Loyola 3 p.m.

Sacred Heart* September 29 at Corvallis* 1 p.m.

October 6 vs. Hamilton* Noon *Denotes conference game

Bitterroot Valley Sports Preview, Wednesday, August 22, 2018 - 5

Bitterroot varsity golf schedules Corvallis Blue Devils August 13 August 15 August 20 August 22 August 28 August 30 September 6 September 7 September 12-13 September 15

Course/Tournament at Butte Highlands at Columbia Falls at Belgrade at Whitefish at UM Golf Course at Ronan at Polson at Libby at Frenchtown tournament at Hamilton

Time 9 a.m.

1 p.m.

9 a.m.

9 a.m.

10 a.m.

10 a.m.

10 a.m.

10 a.m.

10 a.m.

10 a.m.

Hamilton Broncs August 13 August 15 August 20-21 August 22 August 28-29

Course/Tournament at Butte Highlands at Old Works (Anaconda) at Missoula tournament at Whitefish at Butte tournament (Fairmont)

Time 9 a.m.

9 a.m.

1 p.m./8 a.m.

9 a.m.

10 a.m.

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Hamilton Broncs con’t Course/Tournament September 6 at Polson September 7 at Libby September 12-13 at Frenchtown tournament September 15

at Hamilton Country Club Stevensville Yellowjackets August 13 August 15 August 20-21 August 28 August 30 September 6 September 7 September 12-13 September 15

Course/Tournament at Butte Highlands at Columbia Falls at Missoula tournament at UM Golf Course at Ronan at Polson at Libby at Frenchtown tournament at Hamilton

Time 10 a.m.

10 a.m.

10 a.m.

10 a.m.

Time 9 a.m.

1 p.m.

1 p.m./8 a.m.

10 a.m.

10 a.m.

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6 - Bitterroot Valley Sports Preview, Wednesday, August 22, 2018

Bitterroot varsity cross country schedules

Class A Corvallis Blue Devils Location/Meet Time August 28 at Corvallis 11 a.m.

September 4 at Butte Central (Fairmont) 5 p.m.

September 7 at Kalispell 2 p.m.

September 14 at Great Falls (Anaconda Hills) TBD September 20 at Hamilton Golf Course 4 p.m.

September 29 at Mountain West (Missoula) 9:30 a.m.

October 4 at 7-on-7 (Helena) 12:30 p.m.

October 6 at Corvallis (JV) 10 a.m.

October 13 Western A Fall Classic (Columbia Falls) 2 p.m.

Stevensville Yellowjackets Location/Meet Time August 28 at Corvallis 11 a.m.

September 4 at Butte Central (Fairmont) 5 p.m.

September 7 at Kalispell 2 p.m.

September 13 at Missoula TBD September 15 at Polson (Pablo) 12 p.m.

September 20 at Hamilton Golf Course 4 p.m.

September 25 at Whitefish 3 p.m.

September 29 at Mountain West (Missoula) 9:30 a.m.

October 6 at Corvallis (JV) 10 a.m.

October 13 Western A Fall Classic (Columbia Falls) 2 p.m.

Hamilton Broncs Location/Meet Time August 28 at Corvallis 11 a.m.

August 31 at Ronan (Canal) 1 p.m.

September 7 at Kalispell 2 p.m.

September 15 at Polson (Pablo) 12 p.m.

September 20 at Hamilton Golf Course 4 p.m.

September 29 at Mountain West (Missoula) 9:30 a.m.

October 4 at 7-on-7 (Helena) 12:30 p.m.

October 6 at Corvallis (JV) 10 a.m.

October 13 Western A Fall Classic (Columbia Falls) 2 p.m.

Class C Darby Tigers August August 30 September 7 September 13 September 20 September 25 September 29 October 4 October 10

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Bitterroot Valley Sports Preview, Wednesday, August 22, 2018 - 7

Bitterroot varsity volleyball schedules

Class A Corvallis Blue Devils Opponent Time August 24-25 Tip Off Tournament TBD

at Browning August 30 at Florence 7:15 p.m.

September 4 vs. Hamilton* 7:15 p.m.

September 8 at Frenchtown* 4 p.m.

September 13 vs. Stevensville* 7:15 p.m. (homecoming) September 20 vs. Butte Central* 7:15 p.m.

September 22 at Dillon* 4 p.m.

September 27 vs. Frenchtown* 7:15 p.m.

September 29 at Whitefish 1 p.m.

September 29 at Columbia Falls 6 p.m.

October 4 at Hamilton* 7:15 p.m.

October 9 at Butte Central* 7:15 p.m.

October 11 vs. Dillon* 7:15 p.m.

(senior night) October 13 at Butte Central 9 a.m. tournament October 16 at Stevensville* 7:15 p.m.

October 18-19 at MCPS 9 a.m.

Tournament (Missoula) *Denotes conference game Hamilton Broncs Opponent Time August 24-25 Tip Off TBD

Tournament at Browning August 28 vs. Deer Lodge 7:15 p.m.

September 1 vs. Frenchtown* 4 p.m.

September 4 at Corvallis* 7:15 p.m.

September 8 at Dillon* 4 p.m.

September 11 vs. Polson 7:15 p.m.

September 13 vs. Loyola 7:15 p.m.

Sacred Heart September 15 vs. Butte Central* 4 p.m.

September 22 at Frenchtown* 4 p.m.

September 25 at Stevensville* 7 p.m.

September 29 at Columbia Falls 1 p.m.

September 29 at Whitefish 6 p.m.

October 4 vs. Corvallis* 7 p.m.

October 6 at Butte Central* 4 p.m.

October 9 vs. Stevensville* 7 p.m.

October 13 at Butte 9 a.m.

Central tournament October 20 vs. Dillon* 4 p.m. *Denotes conference game

Stevensville Yellowjackets Opponent Time August 24-25 Tip Off TBD

Tournament at Browning August 30 at Ronan 4:15 p.m.

September 8 vs. Columbia Falls 1 p.m.

September 13 at Corvallis* 7:15 p.m.

September 15 at Dillon* 1 p.m.

September 18 vs. Frenchtown* 4:15 p.m September 22 at Butte Central* 1 p.m.

September 25 vs. Hamilton* 7 p.m.

September 29 vs. Ronan 1 p.m.

October 2 at Frenchtown* 4:15 p.m.

October 6 vs. Dillon* 1 p.m.

October 9 at Hamilton* 7 p.m.

October 11 at Polson 4:15 p.m.

October 16 vs. Corvallis* 4:15 p.m.

October 20 at Butte 1 p.m.

Central tournament *Denotes conference game

Class B Florence Falcons Opponent Time August 24-25 at Choteau TBD Invitational August 30 vs. Florence 7:15 p.m.

September 1 at Thompson Falls 1 p.m.

September 7 at Troy 6 p.m.

September 8 at Eureka Noon September 11 at Loyola 4 p.m.

Sacred Heart September 20 vs. Deer Lodge 4:15 p.m. (homecoming) September 25 at St. Ignatius 4 p.m.

September 27 at Anaconda 4 p.m.

September 29 vs. Bigfork 1 p.m.

October 4 at Deer Lodge 4 p.m.

October 6 at Boulder 9 a.m.

Invitational October 9 vs. Loyola 4:15 p.m.

Sacred Heart October 13 vs. Anaconda 1 p.m.

October 18-19 at MCPS TBD

Tournament (Missoula) October 25 vs. St. Ignatius 4:15 p.m.

(senior night) Class C Darby Tigers Opponent Time August 25 at Drummond 9 a.m.

tournament August 28 at Valley 5:30 p.m.

Christian September 6 vs. Salmon, ID 4:30 p.m.

September 7 vs. Lincoln 4 p.m.

September 13 vs. Charlo 5:30 p.m.

September 15 at Victor 9 a.m.

September 15 vs. Philipsburg 2:15 p.m.

(at Victor) September 20 vs. Valley Christian 5:30 p.m.

September 22 at Superior 9 a.m. tournament September 25 vs. Clark Fork 5:30 p.m.

September 29 at Salmon, ID 1 p.m.

October 4 vs. Seeley-Swan 5:30 p.m.

October 6 at Lincoln 4 p.m.

October 9 vs. Philipsburg 5:30 p.m.

October 11 vs. Victor 5:30 p.m.

October 13 at Clark Fork 4 p.m.

(Alberton) October 16 vs. Hot Springs 5:30 p.m.

(senior night) October 20 at Seeley-Swan 4 p.m.

Victor Pirates Opponent Time August 23 at Arlee 4:30 p.m.

August 25 at Drummond 9 a.m. tournament August 28 at Salmon, Idaho 5:30 p.m.

August 30 vs. Clark Fork 5:30 p.m.

September 1 vs. Lincoln 4 p.m.

September 4 at Hot Springs 5:30 p.m.

September 8 at St. Regis 4:30 p.m.

September 13 at Seeley-Swan 5:30 p.m.

September 15 vs. Darby 9 a.m.

September 15 vs. Philipsburg/Plains Noon September 15 vs. Darby/Philipsburg 2 p.m.

September 15 vs. Plains 4 p.m.

September 22 Superior tournament 9 a.m.

September 27 at Clark Fork

(Superior) 5:30 p.m.

September 29 at Lincoln 4 p.m.

October 6 vs. Valley Christian

(homecoming) 5 p.m.

October 11 at Darby 5:30 p.m.

October 13 vs. Seeley-Swan 4 p.m.

October 18 vs. Lincoln

(senior night) 5:30 p.m.

October 20 at Valley Christian 4 p.m.

8 - Bitterroot Valley Sports Preview, Wednesday, August 22, 2018

Coming to the Family Medicine Center in September, Brenda Kirkland, M.D.

The Family Medicine Center is excited to be adding Brenda Kirkland, MD to our medical staff. Dr. Kirkland is originally from Wisconsin and holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of WisconsinMadison in Rehabilitation Psychology. She received her Doctor of Medicine Degree from the University of Arizona College of Medicine.

Her residency training was completed at the Montana Family Practice Residency in Billings, MT. Dr. Kirkland is board certified by the American Board of Family Medicine.

Dr. Kirkland has an extensive background in full spectrum Family Medicine and has practiced for the past 15 years at St. Vincent Healthcare in Billings, MT. She has extensive experience including pediatrics, inpatient and outpatient medicine and women’s healthcare. Her special interests include women’s health and wellness as well as mental health services. She has also devoted time to teaching medical residents and nurse practitioner students.

Dr. Kirkland is married with three children. Hobbies include trail running, 4H Leader, skiing and exploring the state of Montana.

Dr. Kirkland is accepting new patients at this time.

Please contact the clinic to schedule your appointment.

Randy Stewart, M.D. Brett Heath, M.D. Nicolett Weston, FNP-C

Brenda Kirkland, M.D.

330 North 10th Street, Suite A • Hamilton, MT 59840 Phone: 363-DOCS(3627) • Fax: 363-3638

Bitterroot’s returning award winners Football Class A Corvallis Garrett Brown: First-t eam all-state, first-team all-conference guard Hunter Pinheiro: 2nd-team all-conference fullback Jakob Dalbey: Honorable mention inside linebacker Hamilton Carson Rostad: First-team all-state, first-team all-conference quarterback Camron Rothie: First-team all-state, first-team all-conference cornerback, 2nd-team all-conference tight end Tyler Barnes: 2nd-team all-conference wide receiver Jacob Campbell: 2nd-team all-conference tackle Mikey Golden: 2nd-team all-conference inside linebacker Tucker Jones: 2nd-team all-conference outside linebacker Stevensville Adam Giese: 2nd-team all-conference guard Kellen Jones: 2nd-team all-conference defensive tackle David Haacke: Honorable mention inside linebacker Jaren Gum: Honorable mention outside linebacker football Class B Florence Colby Kohlman: 2nd-team all-conference punter football Class C Darby Dylan Parks: First-team all-state, firstteam all-conference wide receiver and kick returner. 2nd-team all-conference defensive back Nelson Smith: 2nd-team all-conference inside linebacker Victor Wyatt Day: First-team all-conference center Bob Hotchkiss: 2nd-team all-conference slot back Garritt Gleason: 2nd-team all-conference tight end Volleyball Class A Corvallis Maureen Jessop: All-state and firstteam all-conference Hannah Hutchison: 2nd-team all-conference Charlotte Powell: 2nd-team all-conference Stevensville Angel Richards: 2nd-team all-conference

Cassi Kopsa: Honorable mention Quinn Larson: Honorable mention Volleyball Class B Florence Sarah Hopcroft: All-state and first-team all-conference Volleyball Class C Darby Casey Ehman: First-team all-conference Victor Madison Allred: 2nd-team all-conference Soccer Boys Corvallis Dante Venema: 2nd-team all-conference Matt Cooper: Honorable mention Hamilton Aryton Duncan: First-team all-state, first-team all-conference Drew Brackman: 2nd-team all-conference Austin Drake: Honorable mention Stevensville Chance Lester: First-team all-state, firstteam all-conference Ben Schlender: 2nd-team all-conference Carlos Morales: 2nd-team all-conference Dylan Roberts: Honorable mention Soccer girls Corvallis Hadli Lords: Honorable mention Hamilton Lauren Ryter: First-team all-state, Firstteam all-conference Rylee Wiediger: First-team all-conference Maddy Martin: 2nd-team all-conference Olivia Zepeda: 2nd-team all-conference Stevensville Alli Emery: First-team all-conference Ashton Lewis: 2nd-team all-conference Kylee Merwin: 2nd-team all-conference Jade Johnson: 2nd-team all-conference Cross country all-state returners (Top 15 from state are named all-state) Class A Corvallis Lilli Day Hamilton Brynnli Poulsen Class C Darby Gracie Lang Golf all-state returners (Top 15 from state are named all-state) Hamilton Tristan Hanson, Zach Taylor and Bryce Reed

Bitterroot Valley Sports Preview, Wednesday, August 22, 2018 - 9

Southwest A soccer should be uber competitive KYLE HOUGHTALING Ravalli Republic

The power in Class A girls soccer has long been in the East. The last girls team to win a state title from the West was Whitefish in 2006.

It’s a little more balanced for the boys, with Corvallis’ string of success and two state titles in 2014-15 breaking up Belgrade’s recent run.

The may just be able to breakup the East’s power again.

Both the Hamilton boys and girls are fresh off state-playoff pushes that fell just a bit short.

The girls got to the semifinals before running into eventual state-champion Laurel. On a frigid October afternoon last fall, Laurel edged Hamilton 1-0.

The Broncs return all-stater Lauren Ryter from that squad, along with all-conference forward Rylee Wiediger, second-team Maddy Martin and Olivia Zepeda. First-year head coach Angie Fett is happy with the stock she inherited.

“Lauren is such a calm player, she can really take care of the team, and Rylee is one of the most committed players on the team,” coach Fett said. “They’re going to be instrumental on

the team.”

The Hamilton boys also bring back a slew of talent, despite losing a pair of all-state defenders. All-state forward Aryton Duncan, who was fourth in the conference in scoring behind a trio of Frenchtown players, is back, as is Drew Brackman and Austin Drake. Both Brackman and Drake were among the conference’s points leaders.

“We’ve got a lot of good returning player,” Hamilton coach Randy Lint said. “We lost a few all-state defenders, so we’re kind of rebuilding our defense, but we feel like we should be able to score some goals this year.”

To note, the Broncs were the only team to score against Belgrade as the Panthers ran the table to their second straight state title.

Elsewhere in the Southwest A are a handful of teams looking to surprise last year’s division winners — the Frenchtown boys and Hamilton girls — with comeback seasons.

The Stevensville boys return four award winners from last year’s squad, including all-stater Chance Lester.

“I think the (Southwest A) should not be overlooking Stevensville this year,” longtime coach

Ralph Serrette said. “We have everybody coming back and a good freshman class.”

In Corvallis, it’s the Blue Devil sophomores — another year wiser — that have coach Dave Molesh excited about his squads chances bouncing back from a one-win season in 2017.

“Last year, we were starting sometimes nine freshman,” Molesh said. “We were really led by that sophomore crew this summer. The girls that came out last year have taken it seriously, and at least in the first few practices, we’ve either picked up where we were at the end of last season or we’ve improved a significant amount.”

They still need to get by the Stevi girls, who were the darling of the Southwest A last season.

One year after a one-win campaign in 2016, the Yellowjacket girls made the state playoffs.

And they return a slew of all-conference players (Kylee Merwin, Jade Johnson, Alli Emery and Ashton Lewis).

The Corvallis boys also bring back a pair of all-conference kids in Dante Venema and Matt Cooper, meaning the Southwest A could be complete up for grabs.

From there, it’s all hands on deck to take down the East.

10 - Bitterroot Valley Sports Preview, Wednesday, August 22, 2018

Bitterroot cross country runners among Montana’s best KYLE HOUGHTALING

“We’ve got a couple girls, too. Sarah Passey took fourth at state (in 2016) and then her and Brynnli should be right there together (at the The pros of being a senior-laden squad, top) at the end of the year.” said Albert, whose like Corvallis’ 2017 boys cross country squad squad swept the second-place individual trowas, are self-evident. The Blue Devil boys are phies at state last year from since-graduated defending state champs. Full stop.

Matt Wilson and Lyric Devries. “(Brynnli) and But with four graduating seniors, including two all-state runners and another pair of top 30 Sarah are both just built for this sport and do finishers, there could definitely be some rebuild- quite well.”

In Darby, it’s a second-place performance — ing for the boys in the heart of the valley. and a state track performance not quite up to a Anders Watt (third place at state), Jake Jessop personal par — that fuels one of the Tigers’ top (13th), Grant Martin (17th) and Spencer Jessop runners.

(27th) weren’t just leaders on the team, they Rising junior Gracie Lang simply loves to run. often time led the entire Class A pack.

While the Darby football team practiced last “They had worked so hard and put a lot of Tuesday, Lang circled the field time and time miles in and time in the summer, so it was good again, with nobody there pushing her to go to see them come away with the win,” coach faster.

Joanne Cleveland said. “...We had a good sumExcept herself. mer this year (too), so we’re looking forward to a “State track this last year, I ended up getting good year with (the team).” sick. I ran anyway, but I didn’t do as well as I The Blue Devils do bring back some talented wanted to,” said Lang, who still placed second runners, however, and Corvallis has a stout in the 3,200 and sixth in the 1,600. “That fueled girls’ squad that took second at state last seathe fire. I focused during the summer to get my son. Rising junior Lilli Day is back after an allrunning in, and I want to get back to that state state performance at state last year, and coach champion.”

Cleveland expects Kara Wissenbach could be To do it, she’ll have to outrun a pack of an all-state contender, too.

Wolverines.

In Hamilton, Brynnli Poulsen returns after she The West Yellowstone Wolverines became took sixth at state in her freshman campaign. the class of Class C last year, as the girls just outCoach Albert thinks his sophomore could be side the first National Park won the team title.

Wolverines finished on either side of Lang, in poised for a big season.

Ravalli Republic

Photo KYLE HOUGHTALING

Darby junior Gracie Lang runs intervals on her home track to prepare for fall cross country season. Lang, who won the State Class C meet as a freshman, finished second at state last year.

first, third and fourth place. All three from West Yellowstone were sophomores or younger.

“They have a really solid team, they’ll probably win state again (as a team),” Darby cross country coach Steve Gideon said. “Those kids she’s competing again (are all her age).”

Nothing like a little outward motivation to help stoke Lang’s inward desire.

Gideon also mentioned Donavon Chaffin, who has set a goal of finishing as an all-state runner. Chaffin finished in 21st last season — six spots away from an all-state top 15 finish — as a junior.

For each cross country program in the Bitterroot, the first meet is slated for Aug. 28 in Corvallis at 11 a.m.

Florence, Corvallis volleyball hoping for continued success KYLE HOUGHTALING Ravalli Republic

The Florence volleyball team’s run through the Class B state tournament last fall in Bozeman was not only inspired it was unprecedented. The Falcons had never reached the state title game.

And they did it despite losing their first game at state.

“It felt really good because, one, we made history, and two, well, we didn’t get third which was kind of the Florence legacy,” outside hitter Sarah Hopcroft, then a sophomore, dead-

panned after the state title game.

She wasn’t wrong. The Falcons had taken home third or fourth place at state every year since 2011. They went in as the No. 1 seed from the West in 2017. Florence played the fourth-seeded Jefferson out of the South, the perennially dominant conference in Class B. The Falcons lost.

But instead of folding, Florence — which returns the all-state junior Hopcroft along with seniors Rylee Mangun and Shannon Byrne — dug in to win four straight do-or-die matches. It hardly mattered when Huntley Project captured

its sixth title in a decade, handing Florence silver.

“The girls that were apart of it still have that disbelief, that excitement, and the other girls (who weren’t there) want to be a part of that, so there is that excitement,” Florence coach Christy Duchien said. “They were there, they know what it takes and they’ve bought in.

“I talk about that grit, and they saw that in action last year and we bought in. It’s contagious.”

Meaning it’s something to build on — persee VOLLEYBALL pg. 11

Bitterroot Valley Sports Preview, Wednesday, August 22, 2018 - 11

Volleyball con’t from pg. 10 haps another state championship run — in 2018.

In Class A, the Corvallis girls are also primed for another successful season. Although the Blue Devils lost the Southwest A conference MVP and all-state setter Kate Hurlbert to graduation, they return three award winners and a not-so-secret weapon.

Maureen Jessop led Class A in hitting percentage, according to maxpreps.com, and the all-state kill-artist returns for her senior season.

She’s joined by a pair of second-team allconference players in Hannah Hutchison and Charlotte Powell.

“We have pretty much the same amount of impact players as last year,” said coach Kasey Arceniega, whose squad went unbeaten in conference play (10-0, 31-6 overall) and took third place at state. “For us, the expectations are high, but there is some pretty good competition out there, so we’re just trying to refine our skills and go.”

Another big piece of Corvallis’ puzzle to again take home some state hardware will be 6-foot-3 middle blocker Isabel Evans. Basketball may be her first love, but she’s coming around to the other sport where height-advantage can play a big part in success.

“She’s a contender. I just talked to her the importance of blocking and being that wall, so that’s going to be her focus,” Arceniega said of Evans. “Obviously her height, but her attitude, too. She works really hard.”

Stevensville, which mustered a late-season surge and captured a state berth, will be without one of its weapons, as senior Mikayla Newman suffered an injury before the season.

First-year head coach Kyla Paulson said the other girls are bummed about the loss but ready to step up.

And they have the pieces. Stevi returns middle blocker Angel Richards, Cassi Kopsa and Quinn Larson. All three were all-conference award winners.

“We have six seniors,” Paulson said. “They’re all going to be big parts of this team.”

Hamilton graduated a handful of seniors, including all-stater Caitlin Dillon, as the Broncs

Photo DEAN HENDRICKSON, For 406mtsports.com

Stevensville’s Prestley Robinson (left) and Angel Richards go up for a block during the State A opener against Billings Central.

look to build on a 17-10 season.

In Class C, both Darby and Victor return an all-conference player each while simultaneously welcoming a new coach. First-team all-conference senior Casey Ehmann will team up with first-year Darby coach Sarah Nelson.

Victor’s Madison Allred, who was named second-team all-conference, joins forces with first-year coach Michael Shaffer.

Ravalli’s Class A prep golfers could be among best in state KYLE HOUGHTALING

Stevensville golf coach Jack Filcher said. “Their fourth man shot (in the 70s) last week. They are capable of having three kids shoot 76 and The good thing about the high school golf season starting so early is teams can get a good under, they’re super strong.”

Filcher’s bunch is hot on their Bitterroot rival’s idea where they’re at before classes even begin.

And the Bitterroot golfers have already done heels, however.

The Yellowjackets finished in second at the some schooling of their own.

Butte Highlands golf course with a team score Both the Hamilton and Stevensville boys of 325, and the Yellowjackets won the Columbia have each already won a tournament, and the Falls Invitational at the notoriously difficult Corvallis girls have both a team and individual Meadow Lake Resort. win as well.

Seniors Zel Frost, Jayce Painter and Ivan At the Butte Central Invite on Aug. 13, Yazvac all finished in the Top 5. Frost fired a secHamilton shot a four-player score of 305. The Broncs’ Zach Taylor won the individual title with ond-place 78, just one stroke off the lead.

Just up the road from the Yellowjackets, the an even-par 70. Triston Hanson followed with a 75, Bryce Reed shot a 79 and Tanner Hanson fin- Blue Devils have something brewing on the links as well. One tournament after taking secished with an 81. ond place at Butte Highlands, the Corvallis girls Simply put, the Broncs, who have a chamtied with Whitefish for the tournament title at pionship pedigree — the Hamilton boys won Columbia Falls. Freshman Macee Greenwood, the state title in 2016 — look tough to beat.

Hamilton also has the added advantage of host- fresh off of helping the Montana 15-year-old ing the Class A state meet on September 28-29. girls capture a Montana-Alberta Ryder cup title, “(The Broncs) might be kind of untouchable,” tied for first in Columbia Falls with a 90.

Ravalli Republic

Greenwood shot a secondplace 79 in Butte two days earlier.

“It’s a great start,” Corvallis third-year coach Kristy Schlimgen said. “I told them, ‘You see what you’re capable of. You Photo Al Balderas stay out of trouKelsi Martin, of Hamilton High, putts the ble and you stay ball on the ninth green during Butte Central in the fairways Invitational action last fall. and get up and down and score the ball, it makes the game feel a lot easier. We’re hoping to ride a little bit of excitement the next couple weeks.”

Likewise, the Bitterroot programs may just be able to ride this wave of success into some state hardware.

12 - Bitterroot Valley Sports Preview, Wednesday, August 22, 2018

Hamilton’s Carson Rostad amped to return to field FRANK GOGOLA 406mtsports.com

HAMILTON — Hamilton junior Carson Rostad estimated he’s seen film of the team’s loss in the Class A state title game 50 times.

At least it feels like 50 times to the Broncs quarterback since he’d watch the video whenever he found himself with nothing to do this summer.

And he had extra time to sit around after recovering from surgery.

“I’m definitely angry, considering we took second,” Rostad said. “I think that’s why we all worked so hard this summer. We are not taking second again.”

Rostad is entering his third year as a starter for the Broncs. He’ll be even more of a focal point for opposing defenses following the graduation of four all-state offensive players.

Before Rostad ever took the football field for the Broncs, he went with the school’s basketball team to a summer camp as a freshman.

At the camp, he got hit and broke his nose. He wound up with a deviated septum that led to intermittent breathing issues, but he put off having surgery.

“I couldn’t breathe out of my nose at times,” Rostad said.

He finally had surgery over the summer, which required him to take a few weeks off afterward. Sandwiched around the time away, he worked

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Hamilton quarterback Carson Rostad tries to hold off Columbia Falls linebacker Colten McPhee last fall before being brought down in the backfield. Columbia Falls beat the Broncs 26-14 in the State Class A football championship game.

out with the team, throwing with teammates and going to 7-on-7 camps.

Rostad has been on the field for the Broncs since the start of fall camp.

As he works himself back into shape, Carver is expecting an improved player.

“You could tell in the past he was struggling to catch his breath when he went hard,” Carver said. “Once he gets up to full go, I think his capacity of his endurance will be way higher than it was.”

Rostad has been a pocket passer for the Broncs with a plethora of weapons on the outside and a stout run game behind him. He threw for 3,079 yards and 39 touchdowns to seven interceptions last year, according to MaxPreps.com, and added 207 yards and six touchdowns on the ground.

Rostad could be responsible for more in the run game following the graduation of three-time all-state selection Bridger Bauder, who was second in Class A in total rushing yards last season.

If Rostad does get out and run in the tempo offense, he could be harder to take down as he’s grown two inches to 6-foot-2 and added 15 pounds to get to 200.

Rostad will have several targets despite the departure of all-state receiver Tyler Chouinard.

Cam Rothie was a second-team all-conference tight end and all-state cornerback. Tyler Barnes earned second-team all-conference honors at receiver. Tucker Jones, who was second-team all-conference at linebacker, has experience as a wideout.

Mikey Golden, a second-team all-conference linebacker, is poised to take over the starting reps at running back after serving as a backup.

The Broncs’ offensive and defensive lines will be anchored by secondteam all-conference lineman Jacob Campbell, but they’ll need to replace all-staters Zach Fussell and Coy Whyte.

Bitterroot Valley Sports Preview, Wednesday, August 22, 2018 - 13

Victor readies for season with Griz-legend coach KYLE HOUGHTALING Ravalli Republic

VICTOR — It’s not everyday former Victor head football coach and current school Superintendent Lance Pearson gets a call from an NFL coach.

So when the Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg dialed to give a good reference on behalf of Victor’s new head coach Curt McElroy, Pearson listened.

“They’re old teammates from college... I saved the message so I could play it for the kids,” Pearson said.

Mornhingweg and McElroy were both on the 1982 University of Montana Griz football team, which lifted the only Big Sky Conference trophy from 1971-1993.

Now McElroy takes his championship pedigree and hard-nosed style of play — he was voted UM’s hardest hitter in 1982 — to the sidelines at Victor.

“Our defense, it doesn’t matter where I’ve been, our defense has always been aggressive,” said McElroy, who won a state title with

his Tonapah, Nevada 8-man football team in 2007. “I preach running to the ball, and then we get on to the offensive side, and it’s more of a finesse thing with the zone offense.”

That zone offense has the Victor Pirates learning a new playbook in a hurry. Coach McElroy said his team already has 35 plays in the books.

“It’s different, most of the other stuff we had wasn’t this complicated, but it’s going to work out,” said Victor senior J.D. Kay, who was taking snaps as first-team quarterback at practice Tuesday.

The more run-and-gun style could help inflate the numbers of some of the Pirates’ returning award winners. Bob Hotchkiss and Garritt Gleason turn out for their senior seasons, each with a second-team all-conference award under their belt (Hotchkiss at slot back, Gleason at tight end).

“I’ve been playing (football) since I was in fourth grade, so I’m getting it down pretty well,” Hotchkiss said of the playbook. “Once everybody gets it down, we’ll play well.”

Playing well is the plan, as the Pirates just

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Victor senior J.D. Kay drops back to pass at a preseason football practice. The Pirates, who finished 4-5 last season in the Western C 8-man division, have a new coach, Curt McElroy.

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Victor finished 4-5 overall, in a virtual tie with Bitterroot valley rival Darby (the Pirates did top the Tigers in an overtime thriller last season, 46-40, to hold the tiebreaker advantage).

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14 - Bitterroot Valley Sports Preview, Wednesday, August 22, 2018

Stevensville football is strong up the middle KYLE HOUGHTALING Ravalli Republic

STEVENSVILLE — There’s an old adage in baseball that if a team is strong up the middle defensively, it’s going to be competitive on the diamond.

The Stevensville football team is hoping that thought process works the same way on the gridiron.

Seniors Kellen Jones, David Haacke and Jaren Gum all earned all-Southwest A accolades on the defensive side of the ball, and the three big-bodied upperclassmen all roam the middle of the field.

“For defense, we’re experienced now. Our coaching staff has been together for three years now — you can’t underestimate how valuable that is — and we’ve had the kids plugged in all spring and all summer,” said Stevi head coach Troy Tack, who has eight seniors out this year. “...I clearly see out of this class a few kids who have a chance to play at the next level.”

Jones weighs in as the biggest of the bunch.

The reigning second-team all-conference defensive tackle is listed at 6-foot-3, 295 pounds, of which he uses every bit of when taking on two — and sometimes three, as Jones pointed out — offensive lineman.

“You gotta fill the hole and take down the running back when you have to and you gotta take the double teams for your linebackers to get in there too,” Jones said.

That attack from the D-tackle position helps free up Gum (outside linebacker) and Haacke (inside linebacker) to make plays. Both were honorable mention all-conference a season ago.

“They make my job a heckuva lot easier,” Photo KURT WILSON, Missoulian Stevensville’s Alex Gavlak makes a catch in front of Frenchtown senior strong safety Payten Davids said of the defender Ty Hoppie in a conference game last season. trio. “My job is to focus on nobody getting behind me, and when I can rely on my linebackers and my line to take care of the running state tight end Alex Gavlak to graduation, the hope is high that Stevensville can improve on game, I can focus more on the passing game, its 2017 record (2-5 overall, 1-5 in Southwest A). filling those gaps and covering my man.”

It all starts with the core in the middle.

And even though the Yellowjackets lost all-

Florence football on verge of next step KYLE HOUGHTALING Ravalli Republic

FLORENCE — Things are looking up for Florence football in more ways than one.

In 2017, the Falcons clinched their first Class B playoff berth in five seasons behind a stalwart defense and a budding bootleg offense ran through, then, 15-year-old quarterback Colby Kohlman.

“Last year, it kind of just boosted our confidence with (ending the playoff drought),” senior tackle Gabe Bennett said. “Early in the season, we’ve just come out excited.”

Immediately ahead of the Falcons in their Western B conference, however, is some of the state’s toughest competition.

Longtime rival Loyola Sacred Heart, Bigfork and two-time defending state champion Eureka all edged the Falcons in conference

play a season ago. The losses to Bigfork and Loyola particularly sting.

A blocked punt in the second half against Bigfork erased a one-point lead and was the decider in a 14-8 Falcon loss to the Vikings. In the annual regular season finale against Loyola, the Rams got the best of Florence, 28-8.

Distaste, however, can also be a big motivator.

“We lost a lot of games last year because just stupid mistakes,” senior linebacker Spencer Jones said. “We just gotta be disciPhoto Jason Larson, Larzz Photo Florence quarterback Colby Kohlman (left) dives for the pylon and plined... We already heard about the Bigfork scores a touchdown last fall against Bigfork. The Falcons are looking to game once yesterday.” take another step forward after a playoff appearance last season.

It’s the proverbial chip-on-the-shoulder. Most “This group is going to be a special group,” competitors keep one almost as a training tool. coach Duchien said. “Our older guys are doing For Florence, that chip — coupled with a big senior class and invigorated newcomers — some great things and I think we’re just going could spell the recipe for success. to keep grinding and battle it out.”

Bitterroot Valley Sports Preview, Wednesday, August 22, 2018 - 15

Darby’s Dylan Parks ready for increased attention KYLE HOUGHTALING

The all-state wide receiver, who mentioned his recent hand-timed 40-yard dash clocked in at 4.46 seconds, routinely turned in bloated stat DARBY — The downside to a tremendous football season as a junior is that you become a lines during Western C 8-man action. Last seafocal point for opponents in your senior season. son against Troy, for instance, Parks had his hand in on six touchdowns. He ran for three, caught Meaning Darby’s Dylan Parks is getting a two and threw for one. The scoring toss went whole lot of attention from the fellas lined up back to his quarterback, Nelson Smith, who was against him. also a second-team all-conference inside line“He’s a superb athlete, he’s super fast, and backer last season. he’s a play-anywhere athlete,” Darby coach Jeff The two seniors, Parks and Smith, look to lead Snavely said of the speedy Parks. “Last year was a group of boys hungry to improve on a 4-5 seakind of nice, because they knew who he was but son, which put them just on the outside of the they didn’t know what to expect. playoffs in the Western C 8-man.

“This year, we’ve done some passing league...

The Drummond-Philipsburg co-op of Flint They double-teamed him and sometimes triple- Creek (9-0 in conference, 13-0 overall) topped teamed him... It’s not always going to as be easy the conference and the Class C 8-man field, as for him.” they won the state title. Charlo (8-1, 9-2), Arlee Last year at times, it seemed that it just might (7-2, 7-3) and Plains (6-3, 6-4) also earned playhave been too easy. off appearances. Twin Bridges (5-4 overall) and

Ravalli Republic

Photo KYLE HOUGHTALING

The Darby football team huddles up at a fall preseason practice Tuesday.

Victor (4-5), which edged Darby 46-40 in overtime, were just immediately ahead of the Tigers in the standings.

This year, Darby looks to flip that script.

“This group, we have a lot of different guys, we graduated a lot last year, but I think we can do better than last year,” Parks said.

With QB Liedle back, Corvallis football is ready to run KYLE HOUGHTALING Ravalli Republic

CORVALLIS — In 2017, Corvallis quarterback Liang Liedle experienced the kind of pop that deflates a football season.

Late in the Blue Devils’ week 3 game against Polson, which Corvallis eventually won 37-14, Liedle made a cut on a kick return that made his left knee buckle. Liedle thought he had dodged a bullet, though, as doctors initially diagnosed him with a strain.

No harm, no foul. Two weeks of rehab and the speedy quarterback — instrumental in Corvallis’ flexbone passing/triple-option offense — would be back on the field.

Two weeks later at practice, however, Liedle knew something was wrong.

“On punt return, I was running the ball, I stepped...” Liedle said, trailing off and demonstrating the cutting motion he made at practice.

“Then I knew something was pretty bad.”

The senior captain was describing the ill-fated noise a knee makes when the Anterior Cruciate Ligament, or ACL, tears.

Before the injury, the Blue Devils were 3-0

overall and ranked in the 406mtsports.com Top 5.

Liedle himself had over 700 yards of total offense and six total touchdowns in the first three games, which included a 39-24 win over playoff-bound Browning. Corvallis finished the season at 3-5.

“I don’t know how to explain it, it sucks so bad.

Just being a leader on the team and not being there for them,” Liedle said. “It kind of felt like I disappointed the team with my injury.”

He didn’t, of course. Injuries happen. In fact, the work he has put in to get back to the field for his senior season has inspired his teammates.

“He’s put in like way more than anyone,” senior running back Hunter Pinheiro said of his quarterback. “Day and night, therapy then lifting. He’s stronger than ever. We can trust him with anything.

“Just his commitment with football, that just shows you who he is.”

Pinheiro himself received a lion’s share of the touches rushing the football after Liedle’s injury last season. He compiled 737 yards on 113 carries, according to maxpreps.com, which garnered Pinheiro second-team all-conference fullback recognition.

Along with Pinheiro, the Blue Devils bring back the all-state and big-bodied guard, Garrett Brown,

Photo Walter Hinick, The Montana Standard

Corvallis running back Hunter Pinheiro blasts his way into end zone against Butte Central last fall. Pinheiro, a rising senior, led a bevy of Blue Devil running backs with 737 yards rushing a season ago.

fresh off setting some of his school’s weight-lifting records. Senior Jakob Dalbey, who should also receive some touches in the backfield, also returns with an honorable mention at inside linebacker.

But with Liedle back in the fold, the Blue Devils look to compete in one of the state’s toughest conferences.

Just like they feel they should have a season ago.

16 - Bitterroot Valley Sports Preview, Wednesday, August 22, 2018

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