Fall Sports Preview 2020

Western Montana 1

Fall Sports 2020 Preview

Fall Sports Preview

Western Montana high school football, Complete prep volleyball and soccer soccerleague coverage volleyball, previews

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Fall Sports 2020 Preview

Western Montana soccer

Hellgate boys set the bar high

BILL SPELTZ bill.speltz@406mtsports.com Stopping the Missoula Hellgate boys soccer team is going to be a serious chore this fall.

The Class AA defending champion Knights scored the most goals in the Western AA last year and they return their top five attackers.

Junior Marcus Anderson broke a state season assists record last fall with 26 to go with his 16 goals. Senior midfielder Beckett Arthur and senior striker Reggie Duce recorded 14 and 19 goals, respectively, and junior Lars ThorneThomsen is dangerous around the net.

“We’re going to be pretty offensive this year,” said Hellgate coach Jay Anderson, whose team has reached the state finals five straight years and won four times.

“We’re replacing a majority of our back line but we tend to do a pretty good job getting our defense in order before the start of the season. It will be a new set of guys and we’ll have a new keeper.”

Hellgate’s opener at Kalispell Glacier on Saturday sets up as an interesting battle. The Wolfpack lost only one key player from a team that reached the State AA tournament semifinals last season. Junior Zane Elliott and senior Braden Nitschelm lead the Pack attack.

Missoula Sentinel, coached by veteran mentor Gary Stein, is also a force to be reckoned with in the Western AA. The Spartans lost some good scorers to graduation but they’ll be salty on

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Hellgate’s Marcus Anderson (4) kicks the ball during action in last year’s State AA championship match against Bozeman. Anderson set a state single-season record for assists and he will help lead the Knights into their 2020 season.

defense and they do have attackers that pose a challenge, including junior Alex Levchenko and senior Wyatt Keyes.

“I always worry about Sentinel, being a crosstown rival,” Anderson said.

Missoula Big Sky will try to turn things around after going 2-12 in league

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play last season. Kalispell Flathead finished with a winning record in the Western AA last season (7-6-1) but the Braves need to replace their top three scorers. Their top returning threat is senior Arsen Sokolov.

“Then Helena is always a good rival

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for us,” Anderson said. “They have a senior, Russell Wells, who will be either a good threat offensively or a good lockdown defender, depending on where they play him.

“I think we’ve got a strong conference.

Big Sky is getting better. The Helena and Kalispell and Missoula schools can all push each other.”

In the Western AA girls race, beware of the Glacier Wolfpack.

The Pack lost a heartbreaker in the state semifinal round last season. They return prolific scorer Madison Becker and two-time all-state center back Kenzie Williams along with center mid Emily Cleveland and wing Taylor Brisenbine.

“We had an amazing junior class last year — Madison Becker was a scoring machine,” Glacier coach Brenden Byrd said of his senior leader, who scored 13 goals last season. “But I expect the Western AA to be extremely tough.”

Sentinel will need to replace scoring phenom Aisley Allen and a talented midfield.

“But we do have Faith Marshall coming back as junior leader,” Spartans veteran coach Dan Lochridge said.

“Then Kat Colyer is a good senior leader as an attacking midfielder and Haley Wolsky is very fast.

“Our keeper, Kassidy Kirgan will be good as a sophomore. Last year she was incredible as a freshman and she’s gotten better.”

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Fall Sports 2020 Preview Hellgate and Big Sky both have new coaches this year. The Eagles will be led

by Meagan Auch and the Knights by former Montana Grizzly player Natalie Hiller-Claridge.

Hellgate has a strong senior keeper in Sophie Pierce. Big Sky will look to Mazey Kasburg and Miya Nash to pick up the scoring slack after losing Whitney Morrison and Hannah Santamaria to graduation.

“There was so much parity in the Western AA last year and I would be willing to bet we see something similar this year,” Lochridge said.

“I don’t see anybody running away with it.

“I thought Helena was pretty young last year so they should be good coming back.”

Defending champion Billings West is the team to beat in Class AA girls soccer. The Golden Bears lost top goal scorer Jillian Hust but return plenty of talent, including 6-foot-1 all-state keeper Kendell Ellis.

In Class A boys soccer, the Whitefish boys are shooting for their third straight state title this season. The Bulldogs are young at keeper, where juniors Will Peppmeier and Jacob Girsh are battling for the starting job, but they’ve got loads of proven talent, led by all-staters Ian Grover, Joshua Gunderson, Brandon Mendoza and all-league recipient Gabe Menicke.

“It’s still an experienced group,” Whitefish sixth-year coach John Lacey said. “We are going to miss some of the guys that graduated but the guys that are still here are very capable and they’ve got a lot of experience.

“I think we’re pretty comfortable with what the expectations are. We’ve had more than 11 starters for many years.”

The Northwest A should be tougher from top to bottom. Columbia Falls has some capable seniors in Niels Getts, Johnny Carl, Tyler Hull and Jason Albin. Bigfork should show improvement under the leadership of

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seniors Benjamin Pilskalns and Chayton Troesh-Worrel. Polson has a new coach in Paul Patterson and a strong senior leader in Austin Luper.

The Southwest A was a neck-and-neck battle between Frenchtown/St. Regis and Corvallis last season, each finishing with a 5-2-1 record in conference play.

The Broncs are the team to beat this season with all-state seniors Jeff Jacobs and Braydon Simpson and three other all-league honorees in seniors Cole Westrom, Dimarcus Moua and Mayson Palen.

Loyola will be led by sophomore midfielder Raef Konzen.

In Class A girls soccer, the Northwest A has two state title contenders in Columbia Falls and Whitefish.

Both came within one win of the championship game last year.

The Bulldogs boast a trio of allstate juniors in Josie Schneider, Emma Barron and Sophie Olson. The Wildkats will be led by junior all-stater Madeline

Robison and senior all-league pick LaKia Hill. Polson has a returning allstater in junior Sophia Moderie.

In the Southwest A, Loyola earned its first conference title last season. The Breakers suffered wholesale losses to graduation but do return scoring catalyst Lani Walker along with seasoned keeper Megan Neuman and veteran midfielders Gisele Huffman and Anika Chavez.

“The returning players we have are ready to work and they know what it’s going to take to challenge again,” said Loyola coach Stephanie Reardon, whose team does not open its season until Sept.

10.

Corvallis could be considered the team to beat in the Southwest A. The Blue Devils boast a pair of all-staters in Haley Lords and Kailen Herbstritt and a first-team all-league pick in multi-sport standout Frances Carrasco.

Stevensville has a returning all-stater in senior Ashton Lewis. 406 MT

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Fall Sports 2020 Preview

Western AA football

Sentinel setting its sights high

JORDAN HANSEN jordan.hansen@406mtsports.com Missoula Sentinel coach Dane Oliver is happy his team has high expectations this season.

The Spartans played Bozeman in the state semifinals last season and were just a couple plays away from beating the state champions. Sentinel returns much of its offense — including quarterback Dayton Bay — and added UM football commit Jace Klucewich at running back.

Add in all-star lineman Dylan Rollins as well as a heady defense led by Charlie Kirk, Zac Crews, Geno Leonard, Daniel Difort and host of other Spartans, and there is plenty to be excited about for Sentinel fans.

“Expectations are good,” Oliver said.

“It’s what we set out to build, a stable high school football program. We’ve got great numbers. Managing expectations and providing vision for kids and taking care of what’s important is always the focus.”

While it remains to be seen what football will look like in Missoula this fall, Oliver and his team are pushing forward with state championships on their mind.

Led by Bay, Sentinel’s offense put up 185.5 passing yards per game and 160.3 rushing yards per contest last season.

Bay was 183 of 251 for 2,053 yards passing with 24 touchdowns and nine interceptions.

Standout wide receivers Haiden Crews and T.J. Rausch are both seniors this fall.

Rausch, a UM football commit who’s toe-tip touchdown catch during a game last season caught the attention of Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett, is expected to be one of Bay’s primary targets.

Big Sky is looking to improve on a 1-9 season a year ago that included a win over Bozeman. Eagles coach Matt Johnson was happy with his numbers in the spring

Ben Allan Smith/406mtsports.com

Sentinel junior quarterback Dayton Bay (4) throws from the pocket during a game at Missoula County Stadium last season. The Spartans have high hopes after reaching the State AA semifinal round of the playoffs in 2019.

but wonders what those will look like come the first days of the season.

Colter Janacaro was one of the biggest threats for Big Sky a year ago and is a senior this year. Big Sky graduated several of its wide receivers and parts of its defense, so there might be some growing pains for the team.

Across town at Hellgate, it is much the same way. Knights coach Mick Morris will have to find a way to replace talented quarterback Rollie Worster, who helped the team to a 3-6 record. Hellgate did advance to the playoffs — as did all Class AA schools last year — and fell to Billings Senior on the road.

The top of the Western AA seems stacked and both Helena Capital and Helena High will be tough outs. State finalist Butte lost quarterback Tommy Mellott, but several key starters return.

Kalispell Glacier and Flathead should be stronger as well. Flathead is in the midst of a transition period as it goes into Year 2 with coach Matt Upham.

Lineman Rocco Becarri returns for the Wolfpack, as does standout quarterback JT Allen, who completed 172 of 279 passes last season for 24 touchdowns.

He’ll look to throw to junior tight end Luke Bilau who had 41 catches a year ago.

“I think our team can be very competitive ... If our O and D fronts can play well and win the battle in the trenches, we could be in the mix at the end of the season,” coach Grady Bennett said. “And that’s all you can ever ask for.”

The Western AA will certainly be one of the toughest football divisions in the state.

“I think top to bottom it’s going to be solid,” Oliver said. “There’s just so many well-coached and stable programs. I think it’s up in the air, you’re going to have to bring it every weekend.” 406 MT

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Fall Sports 2020 Preview

Western AA volleyball

Missoula schools chasing Capital

FRANK GOGOLA frank.gogola@406mtsports.com Western AA volleyball has a bit of a new look but also somewhat of a similar feel.

Four of the eight conference teams have a new head coach this season, including two of the three in Missoula. Like other coaches in the conference and the state, they’ll be chasing Helena Capital, the two-time defending state champion that features Boise State volleyball commit Paige Bartsch and Montana basketball commit Dani Bartsch, both first-team all-state players.

“Capital’s going to be without a doubt a powerhouse,” Sentinel first-year coach Kasey Arceniega said. “They’re at the forefront of everybody’s minds.”

Arceniega replaces coach Erin Keffler, who led the Spartans to six playoff appearances in seven years and state titles in 2016 and 2017. She’s no stranger to success, coaching Corvallis to the 2013 State A title during her run there from 2008-18.

The Spartans, who went 0-2 at state last year, will feature Montana volleyball commit Sierra Dennison, a secondteam all-conference middle blocker, and junior Paige Sawyer, an all-conference honorable-mention setter, among others.

They’ve added Hellgate transfer Quincy Frohlich, who was an all-conference honorable-mention outside hitter last season.

“I’m excited because this group of girls seems very enthusiastic of the process of growth through hard work,” Arceniega said. “They accept that that’s part of the process, part of the adventure of the season. They’ve already developed a great energy as a team. As far as mentality, I see a lot of things I really like to carry us through the season.

“Skill-wise, they see themselves as contenders with the hard work they’re going to put in. We have height. We have a pretty strong front row. I think

Ben Allan Smith/406mtsports.com

Sentinel’s Paige Sawyer (5) and Sierra Dennison (10) attempt to block the ball during their match against Whitefish at Sentinel last year. Dennison, a Montana commit, was a second-team all-conference middle blocker, and junior Paige Sawyer was an all-conference honorable-mention setter.

we’re going to be able to do a lot of things with our offense. We’re diverse there. Execution is going to be a focus and being persistent with defense.”

Sentinel was the lone Missoula team to qualify for state last year, a trip Big Sky will try to make this season under third-year coach Mathew Pimentel.

Nikki Cathey and Kami Cutting both earned postseason recognition as juniors last year with the Eagles. Cathey was a second-team all-state libero, and Cutting was an all-conference honorablemention setter.

Across town, Hellgate turns to firsttime head coach Brittany Tilleman, a former Montana volleyball player, to

take over for Matty Hancock, who led the Knights to one state tournament in three seasons. They bring back four starters: senior middle blocker Gillian Sherrill, senior outside hitter Wren Filardi, senior libero Kaylee Rammell and junior setter Lydia Barrow.

“I’m excited to see the growth of this team as teammates and how they interact with one another,” Tilleman said. “My focus is getting them to work together and build their team chemistry.”

Kalispell Glacier will try to make its mark in the conference hunt, returning a pair of second-team all-conference picks in Kaylee Fritz and Emma Anderson.

Fritz is a senior setter, and Anderson is a

senior middle hitter. The Wolfpack also have senior starters in libero Morgan Hernandez and outside hitter Kynzie Mohl.

Kalispell Flathead turns to first-year head coach Emily Russell, who started on the school’s 2012 state runner-up team, its most recent time earning a state trophy.

The competition within the rest of the Western AA will be tough. Helena High was last year’s state runner-up. Butte also qualified for state but will have a new coach in Shane Jorgensen, who came over from Anaconda after guiding the Copperheads to the State B tournament last year. 406 MT

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Western A football

Battle for playoff spots fierce

FRANK GOGOLA frank.gogola@406mtsports.com The competitive nature of Class A football in western Montana will be turned up another notch this season.

Last year, the Southwest A and Northwest A were combined into the Western A, and the top six teams went to state. This year, there will only be four teams qualifying for state out of the west because of the elimination of the firstround playoff bye week, a result of the pandemic. So, the competition for those slots is expected to be more fierce than normal.

“With this being a weird year and there being some really good football teams in our conference, there’s about seven or eight teams out of the 12 that are going to be right there this year,” Hamilton coach Bryce Carver said.

Hamilton has to replace five all-state or all-conference players — specifically record-setting quarterback Carson Rostad, a four-year starter who’s now at Montana — from a team that went 9-2 and made the semifinals. The Broncs will slide all-state wide receiver Tyson Rostad over to quarterback, where he’ll be throwing to all-state wideout Jaiden Klemundt and handing off to running back Ben Tack, a transfer from Stevensville.

“We’ve just got to be consistent in what we do,” Carver said. “We’ll have some growing pains here and there with a new quarterback and new guys. We just have to be able to get better every day, do what’s made us successful over the years and we’ll gradually get better throughout the season and heading into the playoffs.”

Hamilton returns six starters on offense and six on defense, with the lines potentially being a strength. The Broncs return four starting offensive linemen, including all-state tackle Tyler Burrows and second-team all-conference tackle Carter Lake. Additionally, they’ve added

Kyle Houghtaling/406mtsports.com

Hamilton all-star wide receiver Tyson Rostad hauls in a touchdown pass last season in a game against Frenchtown. Rostad is moving to quarterback this season to replace his brother Carson Rostad, a record-breaking quarterback who’s now playing football at Montana.

a lineman transfer from Colorado.

Burrows was also an all-state defensive end last year, while Lake was an all-state linebacker. Fellow defensive end Aiden Sisson was a second-team all-conference pick last season.

“Our O-line is veteran and has

seasoned guys,” Carver said. “Those are the guys we look to. Those guys up front have started since they were sophomores, so they played in the state title game two years ago and have played in some really big games. It’s really good, that kind of experience.”

Dillon could again be a top conference contender after going 9-2 and making the semifinals last year but will need to replace eight players who combined for 10 all-state or all-conference honors.

The Beavers return a pair of all-state players in defensive lineman Zeke Ellis and safety Michael Hupp, a firstteam all-conference wide receiver in Cole Truman and a second-team allconference safety in Jace Fitzgerald, a Montana State commit.

Frenchtown is also expected to be in the hunt, returning senior Tel Arthur, an all-state fullback and linebacker, and Duncan Richardson, an all-state defensive lineman and second-team all-conference center, from a team that went 8-3 and made the quarterfinals last year. The Broncs have to replace seven players who totaled 13 all-state or all-conference awards, including UM commit Jace Klucewich, who transferred to Class AA Missoula Sentinel.

Fotunately for fourth-year coach Ryne Nelson, who decided to return to Frenchtown after accepting a job at Montana Tech, he has a group of players who he feels are ready to step up.

“This could be the most solid offensive group we’ve had overall,” Nelson said.

“We had a great team last year, and I truly think we’re better this year. It’ll be a competitve Western A as usual. It’ll be a dogfight, which makes it fun.”

Libby wants to be in the party too and will look to again improve its record, something it’s done every year since moving back up to Class A in 2017. The seniors will try to continue that trend after the Loggers went 8-3 and made the quarterfinals last year.

“We went through a dry spell for a number of years and were 0-8 in Class B when these seniors were seventh graders,” said 18th-year Libby coach Neil Fuller. “Each year, we’ve got better, continued on next page

Fall Sports 2020 Preview

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Western A volleyball

New-look Corvallis still hungry

JORDAN HANSEN jordan.hansen@406mtsports.com Corvallis volleyball coach Laurie Jones is not about to count her team out before the season has started.

The Blue Devils, defending 2019 State A volleyball champions, lost a few of their stars. Players like Isabel Evans, Hannah Hutchison, Casey Fison, Hannah Martin and Kylie Pease will be missed.

Through the past several years the group became one of the best volleyball teams in the state and its names will be known in the halls of Corvallis High School for years to come.

“We’ve already talked about our individual goals and they collectively said they want to bring back hardware from the state championship again,” said Jones, who is in her second year as head coach. “I know a lot of people are

counting us out because we graduated six seniors and three of them were allstaters, one the MVP. “But we have a lot of good girls coming back and they have that drive as well.”

Jones knows it will be a tough road for her team and just how the Western A will play out this season remains muddled. As it has been since 2018, the Northwest A and Southwest A are now one super conference in the west, with the top-six teams all making divisionals.

There will be play-in matches for the bottom two seeds and then it’s straight into divisionals.

Around the conference, a number of new coaches will be in their first years, making it even more challenging to figure out the teams to beat heading into the season. Columbia Falls and Polson are always teams to watch, as

is Butte Central.

“I kind of go into it the same as I do every year and that would be just don’t underestimate anyone,” Jones said.

“So whether I think they’re going to be the second seed or the sixth, I just go in with the same mind frame that we’re here to play our level and do out best.”

Stevensville also has a solid program under Kyla Paulsen and went 8-7 during last year’s regular season.

Like many coaches around the state, she’s just happy volleyball is moving forward.

While things will look a little different and the social distancing measures might seem far from normal, it was a good feeling for the teams to simply be back out on the court together.

Things in Ravalli County, specifically, will look close to normal

as spectators will surprisingly be allowed.

“I’m just glad that we’re trying to start it,” Paulsen said. “I have quite a few seniors this year so that’s always a hard part.”

With so much talent leaving the Corvallis roster, there could be a chance for someone else to sneak in. Who that will be remains to be scene but until another team does, the Western A runs through Corvallis.

And they expect to keep that going into the future.

“You know, I’m a realist,” Jones said.

“So I can’t say say that’s going to be a guarantee or anything like that, but I think it’s a good goal and something that we’re going to be striving for.”

406 MT

and it’s cool to see that group be part of the comeback. It’s been a while since we’ve been playing football like we did last year.”

Libby returns five starters on offense and five on defense, five of whom earned all-state or all-conference honors. Allstate running back Dawson Young will again be paired with senior quarterback Jay Beagle. They’ll be behind a rebuilt offensive line that graduated four starters but brings back all-conference honorable-mention center Owen Wilkins.

Defensively, the Loggers return a pair of all-conference linebackers in David Patterson, a first-team pick, and Ryker McElmurry, a second-team selection, to go with all-conference honorablemention safety Ryder Davis.

“We’re going to be younger on the O-line, but we’ve got good athleticism, and their talent fits in well with our

scheme,” Fuller said. “They’re the most important guys on the field, and we feel confident in them. It’s going to take a few games to build confidence, but they’ve got potential.

“Defensively, we’ve got good team speed. They’re young but athletic. We’re excited about the potential on both sides.”

Whitefish could be salty on defense as well, returning three second-team all-conference picks in defensive end Camren Ross, cornerback Jaxsen Schlauch and free safety Bodie Smith.

The Bulldogs, who went 6-4 last year and lost in the first round of the playoffs, got a glimpse of the future at quarterback when Fynn Ridgeway threw for 1,148 yards in eight games as a freshman.

Butte Central is coming off a 5-5 campaign that ended in the first round of the playoffs. The Maroons will have to replace seven players who earned 12 all-

state or all-conference honors, including wide receiver Guido Ossello, now at UM, and lineman Aaron Richards, now at MSU. Columbia Falls will look to move back towards it usual spot near the top of the conference after a down year last season, which ended with a 2-7 record.

The maturing Wildcats return four allconference honorable-mention picks, including quarterback Mason Peters and offensive lineman Steve Wilkinson.

“I think there’s a really good slew of players across this conference that are really good athletes,” Carver said.

Polson will look to continue building its program under second-year coach Kaden Glinsmann after going 4-5 with a senior-heavy team last year. The Pirates graduated their lone all-state player and have just eight seniors this season, only four of whom played football last year.

The offensive line is expected to be a

strength with seniors at center and both tackles spots. They’ll also get some added blocking from a pair of tight ends who stand 6-foot-4 and 6-3.

“The biggest thing for us is we’re really young,” Glinsmann said. “It’s going to be weird playing with so few seniors.

I’ve never been on a team with this few seniors. But the kids are hungry to get out there and compete.”

Corvallis and Browning will attempt to move up the standings after going 3-6 and 2-7, respectively, last season.

Corvallis had four non-seniors earn second-team or honorable-mention allconference honors.

Stevensville and Ronan will each look to improve upon their 1-8 finishes last year. Ronan graduated all four of its allconference selections, while Stevensville graduated three of its four. 406 MT

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Fall Sports 2020 Preview

Western B football

Race to catch Eureka heats up

JORDAN HANSEN jordan.hansen@406mtsports.com With three state football titles in four years, Eureka has been the team to beat on the western side of Montana in the Class B ranks for years.

But having graduated stars Hank Dunn, Chet McCully and Jake Kindel, there’s reason to believe a step back could be coming this year. It’s no secret the Lions have had players waiting in the wings to come in and take over, but it will still be a challenge for longtime coach Trevor Utter.

But he has had some players waiting in the wings and is very excited about running back Gunnar Smith. He’ll be a senior this year and is also a three-time state champion wrestler.

“He’s excited for the challenge and he’s working extremely hard for us,” Utter said. “He’s ready to say, okay, this is my time. He’s extremely excited, we’re extremely excited and I think you’re going to see impressive things out of him this year.”

Utter also mentioned his offensive line has some up-and-coming players after graduation three seniors in the trenches.

There have been some holes to fill, but the theme of the season for the Lions really seems to be that they will be able to replace what they lost with players that have been waiting a long time for the chance.

The Lions offense has been extremely impressive over the last few years and last season topped 300 yards rushing per game. It will be tough to replicate that feat with some new pieces, but Eureka is hopeful they can continue rolling.

They will start with a game in Idaho against Bonners Ferry. Utter said the team had to obtain a special waiver from the state, though Eureka sits just 29 miles from the Idaho border, making it a much shorter trip than some the Lions will face this year. Eureka is still planning to play all of its non-conference games

Evan Reier/406mtsports.com

Head coach Trevor Utter poses with the Class B state championship trophy after the Lions’ 20-6 win on Saturday. Eureka will look to defend its state title this season.

as well.

It will not be particularly easy in a tough in the tough Western B. Bigfork, with new head coach Jim Benn, will look to improve on a playoff appearance last season. The Vikings fell 28-25 to a tough Red Lodge team in the first round of the playoffs.

Quarterback Patrick Wallen will try and build on a sophomore campaign that saw him complete 80 of 177 passes for 691 yards and six touchdowns while rushing for 186 more yards.

With a new coach there will be some new wrinkles, but with a fairly young team overall, the Vikings are ready to uphold a strong tradition of success within the program.

Running back Levi Taylor as well as defensive standout George Bucklin will

be some other names to watch. As for head coach Jim Benn, he’s just happy he is getting a chance to coach football this year.

“Every coach I’ve talked to through the summer has told me this has been the best summer for offseason attendance,” Benn said. “And it kind of tells you that kids not only want this, but they need it.”

In the Garden City, Loyola Sacred Heart is just happy to be practicing as well.

Nolan Iverson and Tommy Albrecht are two names that Rams head coach Todd Hughes immediately said he expects big things out of this year. Big Sky transfer Finn Richardson is also a player he expects to have some key opportunities this season.

A big freshman class is also waiting

for its opportunity as well.

“We’re not as senior laden as we were a year ago and anytime you lose a big group like that it’s gonna be a rebuild, I guess you would call that because our underclassmen didn’t get to play as much last year as they have in the past,” Hughes said. “We got a lot of younger players and they’re really eager to learn and get better ... I think they’ve done that.”

Florence will have pieces to replace, as will Deer Lodge while Anaconda is still trying to piece back together its football program. But in the Western B any team can come up with a surprise and the entirety of the division across the state looks to be at least a little bit open. 406 MT

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Western 6B/7B volleyball

Falcons, Blue Hawks have momentum

FRANK GOGOLA frank.gogola@406mtsports.com Florence has been a mainstay near the top of Class B and will need to have a handful of players step up to maintain that status with a new-look team this year.

The Falcons placed third at state last year, ended up second the previous two years and hasn’t finished outside the top four since 2011. Now they’ll need to replace five seniors from their 2019 team, including two all-state players, a first-team all-conference selection and a second-team all-conference choice.

Highlighting the returners for fifth-year coach Christy Duchien are junior setter Kasidy Yeoman and junior libero Kolbi Wood. Yeoman was a second-team allconference pick on last year’s 24-4 team, while Wood is a two-year starter who was a state-tournament honorable-mention pick.

The Falcons will need players to emerge

around them.

“We have multiple girls that have talent to play multiple positions,” Duchien said.

“Aiming to find the best offense to put players in best positions for the best overall outcome.”

In the rest of the Western 6B, Anaconda, which qualified for state for the first time since 2014, will have a new coach following Shane Jorgensen’s move to Butte. The Copperheads’ Aubrey Tuss was a first-team all-conference pick as a junior last year.

Loyola will also have a new coach to guide its returning talent from a team that went 1-2 at the Western B divisional. The Breakers’ Brooke Twite and Laney Denning earned second-team all-conference honors last year as juniors.

Arlee and Deer Lodge both will look for players to step up after graduating all their all-conference picks from last season. Arlee will be guided by first-year head coach

Shelby Sander after going 1-17 last year.

Up in the Western 7B, Thompson Falls won the District 7B tournament title and took third at the Western B divisional tournament, just missing out on a trip to state. The Blue Hawks, led by coach Sandra Kazmierczak, return four starters, including two all-state players and one second-team all-conference player.

“I’m excited about how long they’ve been playing together because that’s key for success,” Kazmierczak said. “Coming so close to going to state, they’re really excited for the chance to get there, and now it’s getting the younger kids excited as well.”

Thompson Falls will be highlighted by junior outside hitter Scarlette Schwindt, who’s earned all-state honors each of her first two years, and all-state senior middle hitter Jodi Detlaff. The Blue Hawks also return second-team all-conference setter Riley Wilson and outside hitter Elli Pardee.

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“Thompson Falls is always well coached and improves so much throughout season,” Duchien said. “Scarlette (Schwindt) is a fun player to compete against.”

St. Ignatius will need to replace three of its all-conference picks from a team that went 0-2 at the Western B divisional last season.

Bulldogs senior Sydney Brander was a firstteam all-conference selection last year.

At Bigfork, coach Ariel Dayne is returning for her second season after guiding the Valkyries to the Western B divisional, where they went 0-2. Eureka, which went 1-2 at last year’s divisional, has tabbed a new coach in Todd Brouillette.

Troy, coached by Jordan Graves, will look to improve upon last year’s 1-17 record.

“I think everybody is going to have a lot of kids coming back and is going to be strong,” Kazmierczak said. “There’s a lot of good teams, which is what we want: a competitive conference.” 406 MT

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Fall Sports 2020 Preview

Western C 8-man football

Flint Creek looks to rebound

FRANK GOGOLA frank.gogola@406mtsports.com Expect a bit more competition among the Western C 8-man football teams this season.

Last year, Clark Fork went undefeated before losing in the state championship game. Flint Creek finished undefeated each of the previous two years, winning back-to-back state titles. Before that, Charlo and Arlee were the state runnerup in back-to-back years, marking five straight seasons that a team from western Montana made a run through the conference and into the title game.

“Everybody knew Clark Fork was going to be good last year, but this year, it’s wide open” Flint Creek coach Mike Cutler said. “Maybe people will look at us as the favorite returning so many starters, but we’ll have a good idea by week four or five of who the top teams are. There’s some very good teams in the west.”

Flint Creek brings back seven of eight starters on both offense and defense. The Titans lost just two seniors from last year’s team that finished fourth in the conference and made the quarterfinals after back-to-back championships.

“This team reminds me of some teams I’ve recently had, and I’ll leave it at that,” Cutler said with a laugh. “I’m extremely excited.

“Our depth has increased dramatically.

We’ve got a lot of two-, three-, four-year starters.”

Flint Creek will be highlighted by Montana State commit Kade Cutler, an all-state quarterback and defensive back and an all-conference kick returner and punt returner. The Titans also bring back second-team all-conference running back Preston Metesh.

“Kade’s the best athlete in the division,” Clark Fork coach Jeff Schultz said. “He’s a tremendous player. Just a big, strong kid who’s super fast. They were pretty young last year, too, so they’ll be a real challenge.”

Thompson Falls coach Jared Koskela has his eye on Flint Creek, too.

“Flint Creek will be a team to watch as a rare fourth-place conference finish last season will have them bent on revenge,” he said.

Clark Fork should be in the conversation again. The Mountain Cats need to fill some holes after graduating a senior class that included Trey Green, the 8-man West offensive and defensive

awesome for their growth,” Schultz said. “We have some juniors and sophomores who played quite a bit last year, so the expectation is they’ll be able to perform.”

Thompson Falls will lean on some newer faces following its run to the quarterfinals last year in its first 8-man season after dropping down from Class B. The Blue Hawks bring back second-team all-conference defensive back Roman

Chance Q. Cook/406mtsports.com

Flint Creek all-state quarterback Kade Cutler looks to pass the ball during a 2018 game. Cutler will lead the Titans for one final season before heading to play at Montana State.

MVP, and five players who combined for eight all-state honors.

They bring back four seniors, headlined by Bryan Mask, an all-state quarterback last year and fourth-year starter. Jake Calloway will play wide receiver and defensive back after being a first-team all-conference slotback and second-team all-conference outside linebacker last year. Aaron Waddle, a second-team all-conference center, will again play center and linebacker.

“We were able to score a lot last year, so our young guys got to play a high majority of the games, so that was

Sparks, who was also a running back and is the lone returning starter on either side of the ball. They graduated a talented class that featured seven players who combined for 10 all-state or all-conference awards.

“As a whole, I think the Western 8-man might be a little down from last year as far as the top teams from last year go,” Kosekla said. “But the preparation mindset needs to be that we are ‘reloading’ not ‘rebuilding.’”

St. Ignatius will look to improve upon its first-round playoff loss last season, returning first all-conference kick returner and defensive end Layne Spidel

and second-team all-conference slotback and defensive back Charley Adams.

Charlo could also be putting itself in place to be a competitor in the conference with its crop of junior and seniors.

“Mission is long and athletic, and they’re going to be able to match up with you no matter what you do,” Schultz said. “Charlo had young kids last year but is up and coming with athletic players. They’re one of the teams pushing to make a show.”

Seeley-Swan may find success with its large group of returners. Walker McDonald earned all-state honors at defensive end last year as a sophomore, and Brice Hawkinson was a secondteam all-conference linebacker.

“Seeley is going to be a dark horse with most of their starters returning,” Kosekla said.

Darby, now coached by JP McCrossin, lost its all-state quarterback and head coach but isn’t expected to automatically be out of the picture. Linebacker Preston Smith earned second-team all-conference honors last year as a sophomore.

“Darby’s got some very good athletes there even though they have a new coach,” Cutler said. “He’s a hell of a good guy, and I’m sure he’ll do good things with them.”

Plains, which went 4-4 last year, returns an all-conference player in Tucker Foster, a first-team defensive lineman and second-team offensive lineman.

Arlee, Troy and Victor round out the conference. Arlee, coming off a 2-7 season, will be led by new coach Quinn Huisman and returns second-team allconference running back Colt Crawford.

Troy, which went 1-8 last year, features Montana State commit Jace Fisher, a two-way lineman.

“The West is absolutely loaded week in and week out,” Schultz said. 406 MT

Fall Sports 2020 Preview

13

Western C 6-man football

Hot Springs ready to improve on 10-1 season

JORDAN HANSEN jordan.hansen@406mtsports.com Hot Springs is looking to make waves again at the Class C 6-man level.

Following a win in the first round of the 2019 playoffs, the team fell to Westby-Grenora in the quarterfinals.

While Jordan and Wibaux will likely again be setting the pace on the eastern half of the state, the Savage Heat are looking to make a run into the playoffs.

At 10-1 last year with two of its stars — Jack McAllister and Kyle Lawson — returning, it could be another special year for Hot Springs.

“We’ve got some decent experience coming back but we also have some youngsters and we have 14 out which is a pretty good number for us,” Hot Springs coach Jim Lawson said. “We’re pretty small physically but we try to make up for that with some speed and getting out just the ball in space.

“That’s what we do.”

Hot Springs will miss do-it-all quarterback Brandon Knudsen, who scored 39 touchdowns last year, passing for 1,313 yards and rushing for another 1,350.

McAllister will switch over to quarterback, where he had a little playing time last season. He completed all four of his passing attempts and even scored a touchdown through the air. He also had 300 yards receiving.

Kyle Lawson, meanwhile, flashed tremendous potential last season with 68 catches for 820 yards and 14 scores. He rushed 40 times and is expected to run the ball with more frequency this season.

“They were just sophomores last year, so you know they’ve put on a few pounds and they’re a little bigger,” Jim Lawson said. “We’ve kinda shuffled things around a little bit, but we’re looking at those two kids and expecting a lot from them.”

While Hot Springs might be the

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favorite, strong Noxon and White Sulphur Springs teams will challenge.

Noxon went 6-3 last season, bowing out in the playoffs to Roy-Winifred, while WSS was downed by Bridger in a tight first-round playoff game.

Closer to Missoula, Valley Christian will look to improve on a 1-8 season in coach Jim Cissell’s second year.

Gardiner is also a team in the west that could challenge, though will be a tough road game for Noxon, who usually stay overnight to play that game.

While standout 6-foot-6 Noxon athlete Rylan Weltz is now playing for Dawson Community College, the Red Devils do bring back some talent. Head coach Bart Haflich mentioned lineman Jared Webley as a player who performed well last season and much is expected once again from running back Josh Baldwin.

“Man I’ve been happy with the way the guys are working the first couple weeks,

week now since last Friday,” Haflich said.

“It seems longer with two-a-days but they’ve been really grinding. We’re real happy with how they’re coming along.”

While the pandemic has shifted some things at the small high schools that dot the northwest and western portion of the state, the coaches are doing everything within their power to make things normal.

But even then, the reminders of what’s going on in the background are still there. For example, there will not be any non-conference games at the Class C 6-man level this season.

The coaches in the Western C are excited and ready to have their kids play as the start of the season edges closer.

“When we heard we we’re only playing a conference slate, that are schedule wasn’t what we thought it was going to be, that was a bummer,” Haflich said.

“But, you know, we’re just thinking that we still get to play football.”406 MT

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Fall Sports 2020 Preview

Western 13-C and 14-C volleyball

Realignment changes story for small-school volleyball

JORDAN HANSEN jordan.hansen@406mtsports.com The Western 13-C and 14-C will have new looks with the move of Philipsburg and Drummond from the 12-C to the 13-C and the departure of Clark Fork (Alberton-Superior) from the 13-C to the 14-C. Philipsburg returns three starters from a team that went 12-1 in conference play, took second place at the 12-C district tournament and went 1-2 at the Western C divisional tournament last year. Coach Jen Graham brings back allconference senior middle Amelia Hill, junior middle Reece Pitcher and junior outside hitter Asha Comings.

“We are young,” Graham said about this year’s squad. “The girls have a passion for volleyball and are just excited Mike Clark/406mtsports.com to be playing despite all this uncertainty.”

Drummond coach Brooks Phillips is Charlo’s Carlee Fryberger (9) bumps the ball during the state tournament last year. Fryberger is back for the Vikings this season. returning for her second season at her will return, as well junior setter and alma mater. In her first year, the Trojans outside hitter Jenna Templeton. finished one win short of advancing from They will not allow fans this year the district tournament to divisionals. and Allen-Bullis mentioned some key They lost to rival Philipsburg with a berth players were possibly not going out for to divisionals on the line, taking the first the sport this year. two sets before dropping the final three.

In Hot Springs, Alisha Pablo is back Charlo will be another team to watch coaching the Savage Heat, who had an as it finished strong last season, pushing emotional 2019 season. Former coach eventual state champion Manhattan Christian to four sets in the Western C Taylor Salmi dealt with family health issues during the year and the conference championship.

The Vikings went 1-2 at the state rallied for her daughter. tournament, bowing out late in the first Second-year Troy head coach Jordan day of competition. They finished sixth Graves will also look for improvement as a team, wrapping up a 24-6 season this season, as the Trojans went 1-17 last that saw them win the 14C District season. Dealing with low numbers, he Championship under now third-year expects middle blocker Talise Becquart head coach Rhondell Volinkaty. and sophomore setter Elaine Folkerts to Senior Liev Smith will return to help be two of their main pieces. guide the Vikings this season and is also “Looking forward to this year where an extremely talented basketball player.

Carlee Fryberger is another player on the we get to build a strong foundation for the coming years,” Graves said. “We have team to watch out for.

Elsewhere, Lincoln will look to a young team, but I am looking forward improve on a 4-6 record last season to seeing how they improve.” 406 MT 406mtsport.com’s Frank Gogola conunder sixth-year head coach Laura Allen-Bullis. Senior libero Nikki Snyder tributed to this report.

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