2 - Ravalli Republic, Friday, September 26, 2014
Broncs face Stevi in homecoming matchup AJ MAZZOLINI Ravalli Republic
It’s homecoming week in Hamilton, not that the Broncs needed more meaning put into Friday night’s matchup with league foe Stevensville. The 7 p.m. matchup of Bitterroot squads is also the opening week of Southwestern A games. Hamilton (3-1 in pre-league games) is coming off a 34-20 win over Frenchtown last week in which Bret Huxtable tossed the football around for three touchdowns, a pair of which went to Bridger Bauder. Stevensville survived its own contest a week ago by sliding by Libby 25-22. The Yellowjackets (1-2) earned their first win when quarterback Bryce Torrey connected with John Diepstraten for a pair of touchdowns. Corvallis also won its homecoming contest last week, washing out Whitefish 34-26 as Jayce Gilder ran for two scores and threw for another. The unbeaten Blue Devils (3-0) get Butte Central (3-1) at home in their first Southwestern A game this Friday at 7 p.m. In the Class B ranks, Florence has another week to go before homecoming. The Falcons (1-3) will duel with Whitehall (3-0) on the road in a non-conference bout Friday before returning to the Bitterroot next weekend to begin District 6-B play. St. Ignatius is the homecoming opponent for that Saturday afternoon kickoff. Class C Darby is also a week away from a homecoming celebration, though the Tigers are in town Friday. In a Western C 8-man football matchup, Darby (1-2 in league, 2-2 overall) hosts Arlee (3-0, 3-0) at 7 p.m. Darby’s homecoming is next Friday against Noxon. Victor rounds out the area 8-man schools hitting the gridiron this weekend. The Pirates (2-1, 2-2) draw the Drummond and Philipsburg co-op Flint Creek Titans (3-0, 3-0) this week for a Saturday contest. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Victor.
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Caitlin Dillon, Jordan Bauder, Avery Joyner and Maddie Ellis painted the windows at Cabinet Creations.
Ravalli Republic, Friday, September 26, 2014 - 3
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4 - Ravalli Republic, Friday, September 26, 2014
Hamilton booster club brought back the annual homecoming bonfire this year.
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Valley homecoming weeks filled with events MICHELLE McCONNAHA Ravalli Republic
Homecoming events in the Bitterroot Valley provide communities with the opportunity to gather, reconnect and cheer on the next generation. Corvallis High School’s homecoming was September 19; Hamilton’s is September 26; Stevensville, Darby and Florence are October 3; and Victor High School is October 25. Stevensville High School celebrates homecoming the week of September 29 through October 3 with sports and activities. Stevensville has dress-up days all week with the incentive of winning the Spirit Stick and possibly an additional prize from the principal. According to Principal Brian Gum, SHS students enjoy the contest. “Several years ago, our student council thought up ways for all our kids to participate,” said Gum. “The Spirit Stick is awarded based on
how many from each class participate and the classes accumulate points. Traditionally the seniors have won, but it’s a good incentive for all the classes.” On Tuesday, September 30, the volleyball teams play Frenchtown freshmen - 4:15, JV - 4:45 p.m., varsity at 7:30 p.m. On Thursday, October 2, the soccer team also plays Frenchtown – boys at 3 p.m., girls at 5 p.m. At 8 p.m. is a homecoming bonfire at the softball fields. Friday, October 3, is a busy day. During the school day classes build floats and after lunch they have a homecoming assembly. “I have a T-shirt cannon, we play games and get everyone all fired up,” said Gum. From 2:45 – 3:30 p.m. there is a parade downtown Stevensville. “Homecoming is a K-12 grade effort. For the parade the students in grades kindergarten through third are at the front, then the march-
Ravalli Republic, Friday, September 26, 2014 - 5
ing band, clubs, and activities. The sports teams ride the fire trucks.” The junior class hosts a pulled pork dinner at the tennis courts at 5 p.m. and at 7 p.m. the SHS varsity football team plays Corvallis. After the game there is a dance for high school students. On Saturday, October 4, the Cross Country team runs in Hamilton at the Daly Mansion (JV 10 a.m. and Varsity 11 a.m.) and that afternoon the volleyball team plays Polson (1 p.m. freshmen, 2:30 p.m. JV and 4 p.m. Varsity). SHS Golf is the State Tournament in Hamilton, Oct. 3 and 4. “I encourage everyone to go to all the activities and games,” said Gum. “It’s fun to have the community come see what our kids our doing.” Florence High School’s homecoming is with the theme “Welcome to the Jungle” with dress-up days all week. FHS has a volleyball game against St. Ignatius on Thursday October 2, with games at 4 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and varsity at 7 p.m. On Friday, October 3, FHS is having a bon fire, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m., and on Saturday there is a parade at 10 a.m. The parade route is the Florence Carlton Loop / Old Highway 93 / Long Avenue. On Saturday, October 4, the varsity football team plays St. Ignatius, kick off at 1 p.m. There is a dance that evening for high school students, 8 – 11 p.m., in the New Gym. Darby High School also celebrates the week of September 29 through October 4, with dress-up days all week, games, a parade, community barbeque and a dance. Wednesday October 1, the seniors paint the “D”. On Friday, October 3, students decorate the floats and walls. A school-wide pep assembly begins at 1:45 p.m., the parade through Darby is at 3 p.m., and the community barbeque begins at 4 p.m. 7 p.m. is the kick off for the football game against Noxon. Saturday is Cross Country at Hamilton (11 a.m.) at the Daly Mansion and at 4 p.m. is the Volleyball game against Seeley Swan. The homecoming dance (for high school students only) is in the cafeteria, 8-11 p.m. Victor High School has a late season homecoming week - the third week in October – and the details haven’t been planned. Victor principal Lance Pearson said it will be great. “It will be our last home football game we usually have a parade on Saturday morning at 10 a.m., there’s a football game against Noxon at 1 p.m., and for volleyball we play the Seeley Swan Black Hawks, at 4 p.m.,” said Pearson. “We haven’t started planning. Sometimes we have a community breakfast - stay tuned for more details.”
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Marissa McCrorey painting a football on the window at the pharmacy.
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6 - Ravalli Republic, Friday, September 26, 2014
Spirit Week at Hamilton High AMY CONKLE for the
Ravalli Republic
The halls at Hamilton High School are bursting from all of the excitement during Homecoming week. Sophomore English teacher Janice Muller said, “I think it’s a great chance for the kids to get involved with their school, but they only have as much fun as they make it.” The students show off their school enthusiasm by dressing up in different “costumes” each day. They started off the week with an explosion of color, flooding the school halls with red, black, blue and white, each grade dressing according to assigned class colors. “I think it’s really fun,” said Lauren Picard, a senior. “It’s my favorite part of the year.” The students continued to show their school spirit by dressing up as twins with one another, wearing the ugliest sweaters they could find, and finishing the week
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with the famous “Spirit Day.” Red and white splattered the students’ faces, hair, and clothing - all to support their school and teammates in the anxiously awaited football game to cheer them on. The lunchtime activities during the “Spirit Day” involved a barbecue for the students, tons of screaming teenagers flooding the school’s lawn, as they cheered on their favorite groups for the annual Lip Sync contest, tug-of-war competitions, and just enjoying each other’s company. Freshman Rebecca Conkel said, “I love it! It’s a great start to the school year.” The Spirit Week at the Hamilton High School brings together the school community in something they all take pride and share in. The elementary, middle school, and high school groups all join together to embrace the upcoming year and start it with a bang! Amy Conkle is an intern in the Ravalli Republic newsroom this fall and a Hamilton High School student.
Amy Conkel for the Ravalli Republic
Twins Taylor Bess and Mr. Faris look sporty for Twin Day at HHS homecoming.
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Ravalli Republic, Friday, September 26, 2014 - 7
2014 Hamilton High School Community Homecoming Pep Assembly
Amy Conkel for the Ravalli Republic
HHS homecoming week was celebrated with Color Day – seniors wore red: Mary Roberts, Devin Rinehart, Marie Morin, Madi Picard, Hanah Peterson and Cameron Johnson
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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, - 2:00 PM – HAYNES FOOTB ALL FIELD 2pm Welcome – National Anthem Pep Band – Shawn Thacker 2:05pm Cheerleaders – School Song Jordan Ferris/Gina Wilson, Shawn Thacker 2:10pm Homecoming Royalty – Darrell Holland Queen Candidates escorted by King Candidates Jaylee Albert Jacob Rogers Brianna Huggans Wyatt Luedecke Emarie Majors Kole Tison Lauren Picard Kyle Crossman McKayl Rothie Tanner Lehr 2:15pm Dan Kimzey Thank you to the community for their support. 2:20pm Cheerleaders Dance Routine Shawn Thacker, Jordan Ferris/Gina Wilson 2:25pm Team Introductions – Coaches/Assistants VB DeEtte Monson – Sara Horvath, Kyla Grymes XC Mark Albert – Carrie Bullman SCR Randy Lint – Neil Massey SCR Kiah Nisly – Jen Callahan, Jeremy Oury GF Owen Burch CH Class Cheer – Jordan Ferris/Gina Wilson FB Travis Blome – TJ Pool, John Stromberg, Jake Hayes, Steve Weston, Bryce Carver, Jim Blome 2:35pm 2014 Boys Track State Championship Banner presentation. 3pm Parade at 3:00 at Haynes Field Booster Club Tailgate – after parade – 5pm–6:15pm students-$4, adults-$6 7pm Football Homecoming Game – Hamilton vs. Stevensville – Crowning of royalty at halftime of game. 8:30pm Homecoming Dance – commons - $3 Cross country Sat. – Polson – Noon Volleyball Sat. – Anaconda at Hamilton – FR-1pm, JV-2:30pm, VR-4:00pm Golf Sat. – Hamilton Divisional
8 - Ravalli Republic, Friday, September 26, 2014
Hamilton students show some spirit SARAH KROUT for the
Ravalli Republic
Homecoming week has Hamilton High School’s football team pumped up for the upcoming game against the Stevensville Yellowjackets. When asked the effect of the hectic week on their mindset for the game, the players all had positive feedback. “It’s like a game week instead of just a game day,” said senior Dylan Myhre. Fellow senior Billy Anderson added that he “loves game week.” While some are just ready to play, Dodge Hurley and Robert Few can predict emotions will be running high at the last Homecoming game for Hamilton’s 15 seniors. Players say they can feel the pressure of the important game, but the added support from the student body and community make it worthwhile. “It really means the world,” said Chandler Medlar, of the enthusiasm of the fans who come out for the Homecoming game. Philip Whitman says the energetic crowd can make it hard to hear, Amy Conkel for the Ravalli Republic but it makes a big difference when the Broncs are on their defensive Twin Day with a foursome in Superman T-shirt and Mickey Mouse pants are: game. All the players agreed the fans should look forward to a great Melissa Kimp, Natalie Hayes, Kali Hayes and Carlie Jessop - quadruplets. game out of their defensive line and receivers. Hamilton Broncs are ready for a great Homecoming. Sarah Krout is an intern in the Ravalli Republic newsroom this fall and a Hamilton High School student.
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Amy Conkel for the Ravalli Republic
In celebration of HHS homecoming, Twin Day was celebrated by Jacob Rogers and Karill Apedaile.
Ravalli Republic, Friday, September 26, 2014 - 9
Bitterroot Valley teams win some and lose some Ravalli Republic
Here’s a look at how Bitterroot Valley teams fared in last weekend’s football games. Stevensville 25, Libby 22 At Libby, twice was nice for Yellowjackets’ quarterback Bryce Torrey and wideout John Diepstraten, as the two connected two times for touchdowns, including the game-winning score late in the fourth quarter. The Loggers, who led 8-0 after the first quarter, trailed 13-8 midway through the second and went into halftime up by a point, stayed ahead 22-19 with Zach Crace’s third touchdown run at 9:42 in the fourth quarter. Crace finished with 204 yards rushing on 48 attempts. Libby couldn’t hold on, though. As time ticked away, Torrey, the Stevi signal caller, found Diepstraten for a 40-yard go-ahead touchdown with 1:02 remaining. Stevi held on to capture its first win of the season (1-2 overall). The Loggers, who gained 297 total yards of offense to the Jackets’ 253, fell to 1-3. Stevensville 0 13 6 6 – 25 Libby 8 6 0 8 – 22 L – Zach Crace 4 run (Crace run), :59 S – Josh Baker 53 pass from Bryce Torrey, (Daniel Pendergast kick), 11:49
S – John Diepstraten 39 pass from Torrey (kick blocked), 7:11 L – Crace 7 run (kick failed), 1:10 S – Caleb Edens 11 run (conversion failed), 9:47. L – Crace 7 run (Crace run), 9:42 S – Diepstraten 40 pass from Torrey (kick failed), 1:02 Hamilton 34, Frenchtown 20 At Hamilton, Bret Huxtable threw three touchdown passes to lead the hometown Broncs to a nonconference win over the visiting Broncs. Huxtable hooked up with Bridger Bauder for two scores – an 8-yarder and an insurance 64-yard touchdown that gave Hamilton a 34-20 lead in the third quarter – and also tossed a 26-yard TD to Ty Burt. Bauder also returned a kickoff for a Hamilton (3-1) touchdown. Frenchtown’s (1-3) Zack Palmer caught a touchdown, a 19-yarder from Tyson Lucier that gave those Broncs an early 7-0 lead, and ran for one, a 61-yard score. Taylor Birgenheier’s fumble return for a Frenchtown TD rounded out the scoring. Frenchtown 7 0 13 0 – 20 Hamilton 7 13 14 0 – 34 F – Tyson Lucier 19 pass from Zack Palmer (kick good) H – Bridger Bauder 8 pass from Bret Huxtable (Karill Apedaile kick)
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Every minute. Every day. Photo taken by Doug McConnaha For the Ravalli Republic
10 - Ravalli Republic, Friday, September 26, 2014
H – Ty Burt 26 pass from Huxtable (Apedaile kick) H – Alex Draper 7 run (kick failed) F – Taylor Birgenheier 42 fumble return (kick good) H – Bauder 78 kick return (Apedaile kick) F – Palmer 61 run (kick failed) H – Bauder 64 pass from Huxtable (Apedaile kick) Corvallis 34, Whitefish 26 At Corvallis, the Blue Devils stayed perfect in nonconference play with another high-octane performance against the Bulldogs. The Devils’ do-all in the backfield Jayce Gilder accounted for three Corvallis scores, including two rushing touchdowns and a passing TD to Taylor Sylvester in the first quarter. Oregon State recruit Jesse Sims had a 17-yard run in the fourth quarter that helped Corvallis (3-0 overall) put away Whitefish (2-2). Whitefish’s Jack Streibich had 148 yards on eight receptions, two of which went for touchdowns. Jed Neglar added a touchdown reception and throw for the Bulldogs. Whitefish 7 6 0 13 – 26 Corvallis 13 7 0 14 – 34 C – Taylor Sylvester 48 pass from Jayce Gilder (kick failed) C – Wyatt Ballman 14 run (Sam Burdette kick) W – Jed Neglar 39 pass from Luke May (kick good) C – Jayce Gilder 4 run (Burdette kick) W – Chris Park 11 run (kick failed) C – Jayce Gilder 4 run (kick failed) W – Jack Streibich 65 pass from Neglar (kick good) C – Jesse Sims 17 run (Gilder run) W – Streibich 9 pass from Luke May (kick failed) Eureka 12, Florence 6 At Florence, Christian Langston intercepted a Florence pass and returned it for a touchdown just before halftime for what turned out to be the game-winning Eureka score in a nonconference Class B matchup. With Florence driving (1-3) for a potential tying score in a 6-0 ballgame, Langston returned the pick 65 yards for the last play from scrimmage in the half. Garrett White had given Eureka (1-3) the lead earlier in the quarter on a 29-yard run. He finished with 77 rushing yards. Daniel Parsons brought Florence within a score in the third quarter on the 3-yard burst, but neither team added to its totals after that. Eureka’s Bryant Little and Matthew Anderson each made seven tackles in the defensive effort. Eureka 0 12 0 0 – 12 Florence 0 0 6 0 – 6 E – Garrett White 29 run (run failed) E – Christian Langston 65 interception return () F – Daniel Parsons 3 run (kick failed) Victor 78, Superior 12 At Superior, sophomore Shad Neville scored five touchdowns in
Victor’s Western C rout of Superior. Neville scored on runs of 4 and 14 yards, and caught TD passes of 53 yards from Jesse Pearson and 14 yards from Steven Scheffer. He also took a kickoff back 70 yards for a score. Pearson scored on runs of 1 and 16 yards, and Nick Bumgarner had a 4-yard TD run and returned a punt 60 yards for a score. Bridger Lapierre scored both of Superior’s touchdowns, one on a 48-yard pass from Vicente Guerrero and the other on a 37-yard run. Victor improved to 2-1 in league, 2-2 overall, while Superior dropped to 0-3, 0-3. Victor 19 27 13 19 – 78 Superior 6 0 0 6 – 12 V – Greg Charlton 13 pass from Jesse Pearson (run failed) V – Shad Neville 53 pass from Pearson (kick failed) V – Colton Cavill 21 interception return (Logan McKinley kick) S – Bridger Lapierre 48 pass from Vicente Guerrero (run failed) V – Pearson 1 run (Nick Bumgarner run) V – Pearson 16 run (kick failed) V – Bumgarner 4 run (run failed) V – Bumgarner 60 punt return (McKinley kick) V – Terrell Sherrill 66 run (kick failed) V – Neville 4 run (McKinley kick) V – Neville 14 pass from Steven Scheffer (kick failed) V – Neville 14 run (run failed) S – Lapierre 37 run (pass failed) V – Neville 70 kickoff return (McKinley kick) Flint Creek 52, Darby 16 At Drummond, Tony Bergerson ran for three touchdowns and passed for two more to lead the Titans to the Western C win over the Tigers. Bergerson scored on runs of 24, 1 and 37 yards, and also hooked up with Danny Mannix on a 65-yard score and Cade Estes on an 11-yard TD. Bergerson finished with 137 yards rushing on 16 carries. He was 7 for 8 for 89 yards through the air. Mannix added 150 rushing yards on 20 totes and caught four passes for 65 yards for Flint Creek (3-0, 3-0). Joe Caicedo ran for one touchdown and passed for another for Darby (1-2 in league, 2-2 overall). Darby 0 8 0 8 – 16 Flint Creek 22 6 16 6 – 52 FC – Brad Holland 5 run (Tony Bergerson run) FC – Bergerson 24 run (Bergerson run) FC – Danny Mannix 27 run (run failed) FC – Bergerson 1 run (run failed) D – Garrett McCormick 11 pass from Joe Caicedo (Caicedo run) FC – Bergerson 37 run (Bergerson run) FC – Mannix 65 pass from Bergerson (Mannix pass from Bergerson) FC – Cade Estes 11 pass from Bergerson (Mannix run) D – Caicedo 3 run (Caicedo run)
Ravalli Republic, Friday, September 26, 2014 - 11
Corvallis athlete headed to the Pac-12
FRITZ NEIGHBOR Ravalli Republic
CORVALLIS - The most heavily recruited high school football player in Montana didn’t show up in the box score of Stevensville’s 26-7 win at Corvallis last September, but he has to be on the highlight film. Jesse Sims, a 6-foot-4 defensive end for Stevi, leaped and blocked a Corvallis punt. The problem was all 235 pounds apparently came down on his right thumb, and it broke. Sims said goodbye to his 2013 football season, and then – shockingly – bid adieu to the succeeding basketball season after five games. He transferred to Corvallis in January. That would catch us up to today except Sims, a basketball standout who was MVP of the 2013 State A hoops tournament for eventual champion Stevensville, broke his left ring finger while playing in a summer hoops tournament this year. “I just got it caught on somebody’s jersey,” he said. “Freak accident.” This odd series of events are, as it turns out, the definition of academic. His new head coach in Corvallis, Clayton Curley, hasn’t seen Sims play a football game since he blocked that punt. Nobody has. Yet Sims is headed to the Pac-12 to play football for Oregon State. He committed in early September. He also made his season debut last Friday, when the Blue Devils played host to Whitefish in their homecoming game. Curley installed Auburn’s high-speed, read-option offense and has the Blue Devils off to a 2-0 start. They’re averaging 298.5 rushing yards a game. They’ve done this without Sims, who Curley plans to use at running back. “Our backfield is bigger than anybody’s in the state,” said Curley. “Maybe in the country. You’ve got (quarterback) Jayce Gilder at 6-foot-4, 220 pounds. Then you have Jesse Sims at 6-4, 235. “The Cats and Griz can’t say they have that size in their backfield. I don’t think Ohio State or USC can.” Four summers ago, before he hit eighth grade, Sims was a 6-foot-3 hoops blue-chipper playing all over the country. His squad won the YMCA Southgate Mall 3-on-3 final over a team that
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included Missoula Hellgate star Tres Tinkle, who will play basketball for his dad Wayne at Oregon State. “My first love was definitely basketball,” said Sims, who teamed up with David Crisp, who has committed to the University of Washington for basketball, in that summer 2010 tournament. “But then I kind of stopped growing taller and started filling out.” This is all relative: Sims was a man among boys as a seventhgrader. His frame is Pac-12 ready now, just not in the sport most people envisioned. Summer football camps helped draw attention from college scouts who had to dig hard to find either of Sims’ high school touchdowns (both came in 2012). Now, over the next 6-8 weeks, he can be showcased. “Jesse is going to play running back for us,” Curley confirmed. “He’s also going to play middle linebacker. He’s been recruited to play defensive end and tight end (in college; the Beavers want him at tight end), but at the high school level I think you have to have one of your best players at (linebacker). “He’s learning every day, and he’s just a great kid to coach. He’s going to help everyone out.” That’s the plan. Corvallis went 1-7 last fall, which made Sims’ transfer that much more puzzling. Stevensville’s basketball team was 3-2 when he left and still made the State A tournament; the Yellowjackets won three football games. “It was a lot better fit for me,” Sims says of Corvallis. “And I really wanted to have a good senior season of football before I went to college. And I knew that my better opportunities to do that would be here.” Sims and his family visited Corvallis before the transfer, and it wasn’t lost on them that the Blue Devils struggled in 2013. Curley came in with a new approach and lost some gridders; he finished the season with 21 players. “I knew they were a younger team last year, but they’re almost all seniors this year,” Sims said. “I knew they’d have a good season.” Curley, oddly enough, was a transfer student in his prep days – he played on Hamilton’s 1998 Class A champion football team, and for Stevensville’s basketball team that lost the 2001 State A title to
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12 - Ravalli Republic, Friday, September 26, 2014
Browning. “It was quite the experience,” offered Curley, who played basketball at Miles Community College before finishing his college career as a safety on Montana State’s football team. “If you want to play college football or college basketball, there are sometimes different ways to go.” The other side of this is how the new teammates respond. “I was just super happy,” said Gilder, the quarterback who has 274 yards and seven touchdowns rushing this season for the Blue Devils. “You have a kid like that, a Division I talent, it’s going to make you and everyone around you a lot better. That’s good for the players.” Curley noted that coaches from Colorado State, Wyoming, Washington and Idaho have been in the halls at Corvallis – where they can’t help but notice Gilder. “Jayce is getting a lot of looks,” Curley said. Meanwhile, Tyler Robinson and Gunnar Fairbrother – at 5-3 Fairbrother is the Muggsy Bogues to Sims’ Larry Johnson – have combined to average over eight yards a carry in the Blue Devils’ offense. A lot of credit belongs to a sturdy front line that went through
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rough times a year ago. “It was a good foundation year,” said center Edward Ryan, a 190-pound senior. “We had some tough games but it was a good learning year. That’s how it is, kind of, with a new coach. “We put in a lot of time during the offseason – really, really committed during the offseason – and it’s showed for us.” Now they can add Sims. “It’s a good bonus,” Ryan said. “Even if he isn’t running the ball on certain plays, he’s a source of confidence. Icing on the cake, right there.” The trials have given way to better numbers and early success. Luke Channer, a 240-pound junior, joined the team this fall and is starting at tackle opposite 190-pound senior Sam Burdette. The guards are Jacob Geary
and Ronny Jessop. “We’re not huge,” Curley said. “But they’re real sound, they’re real physical. They’re quick. We played Polson last week and they’re huge. Like purple giants. And our guys went out there and did the technique they’re supposed to do, and it came out all right.“
Sims got the OK to play last week and was more than ready to start the season. He’s done watching. “I think it’ll give me more knowledge when I get in the game,” he said of the time on the sidelines. “But it’s definitely hard to watch, especially when they’re doing so well. I want to be out there playing.” Gilder is completely on board to be part of the World’s Biggest Backfield. “He’s just an animal,” Gilder said of Sims. “It really helps out our run game. You have to pick someone because we have that read option, and it’s nice to have that other big kid in the backfield.“ Curley calls the Southwestern A, where the Blue Devils play, the Class A equivalent of the SEC. Dillon has played in the last three state championships, winning twice. Butte Central and Hamilton have generally kept the rest of the league – Stevi, Corvallis and Anaconda – from rising to the top. The Blue Devils’ last playoff appearance came in 2008. “Everybody just had a bad taste after our last game last season,” Gilder said. “We got crushed by Butte Central. We’re kind of sick of people thinking Corvallis is bad at football.” Added Ryan: “We’re striving to change that and put Corvallis football on the map.“ Sims has seen ample success in basketball, including Stevi’s only boys’ state championship, but in his chosen sport there hasn’t been as much. His goals are simpler. “Have a winning season,” he said. “And I just want to have a lot of fun – that’s the most important thing. Missing a lot of last season and then missing the beginning of this one … I wanted to have some fun before I graduate.”