Bitterroot Valley Game Day, September 2, 2011

Friday, September 2, 2011

Comeback year Stevensville’s Tyler Gavlak is back after a leg injury

2 - Ravalli Republic, Friday, September 2, 2011

Through a brick wall Stevi’s Gavlak inspires teammates with recovery

DAVID ERICKSON / Ravalli Republic

Stevensville running back Tyler Gavlak was running hard in practice last week. He looks to be back in top form after missing last year due to a devastating leg injury.

LAURA LUNDQUIST Ravalli Republic

STEVENSVILLE - None of the Stevensville High School football players have complained about how hard football camp is this year.

Not only that, but of the 40 who turned out, all are still showing up to practice.

Does Coach Hank Praast have a new incentive plan? Has he eased up on running drills?

Or does he have a secret weapon? In a way, he does.

The indestructible smart bomb that joined Praast’s arsenal this year will be wearing No. 4, but senior Tyler Gavlak is No. 1 in the hearts and minds of his teammates and coach for what he has endured and the positive attitude he maintains.

“If I had to, I could tell my players, ‘You tell Tyler that you don’t want to work out,’ ” Praast said. “If I had 11 or 12 Tylers on my team,

I’d be calling every newspaper because there’s no way I could lose.”

That’s saying a lot because Praast, now in his second year coaching the Yellowjackets, said the team had a turn-around year last year, making it into the Class A playoffs for the first time since 2004. But Gavlak was on the sidelines, leaning on crutches.

“Last year, while he was recovering, Tyler was always asking me for football films, and he was there for every game and practice,” Praast said. “He’s been through the wringer, and I’m glad he’s back.”

Gavlak almost didn’t come back. In fact, he almost died twice after the accident that sidelined him for his junior year.

The sun had risen over the Mission Mountains and was warming the surface of Flathead Lake as Gavlak and a friend set out on their jet skis on July 24, 2010. They were on the water for only about five minutes, Gavlak said, before things went wrong.

“I was sitting on my jet ski talking to a friend,” Gavlak said. “My

Ravalli Republic, Friday, September 2, 2011 - 3

friend was coming toward me on his jet ski - he wasn’t very familiar with them - and he shut off the jet ski.� “You can’t turn when the engine is off,� Gavlak added.

His friend’s jet ski collided with the side of Gavlak’s, sandwiching Gavlak’s right leg and throwing him into the water. His friend managed to pull him up on the back of his jet ski, but the pain was agonizing. “My knee fell under the jet ski and I could see the bone,� Gavlak said. “I was just hanging off the end of the jet ski so we had to wait until a boat could tow us in.�

Gavlak said his friend’s mother heard their shouts and called the ambulance. It was about 30 minutes before he arrived at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Polson, after which he was flown by helicopter to Kalispell Regional Medical Center with a compound fracture of his upper leg.

The doctors dislocated his hip and inserted a rod down through his femur to stabilize it and added screws to hold it in place. Gavlak spent five days recovering in the hospital. “The doctor said he pretty much filleted my muscle like a fish and he managed to save a lot,� Gavlak said. “But I lost 25 pounds of muscle in my thigh and 40 pounds overall.�

Praast said he visited Gavlak in the hospital and was impressed with his player’s attitude. “He never frowned or anything, which was amazing,� Praast said.

The doctor told Gavlak he would require about four to six months of physical therapy before he could run. Initially, he was allowed to lean about 20 pounds on his leg, and 90 days later, he was walking, “although with a gimp.�

Gavlak had to miss football season, but he set his sights on basketball. He said he did get frustrated but “my friends helped a lot.� “I did PT four times a week, just before school,� Gavlak said. “I lifted quite a bit, but mainly I worked on bending (my leg). The hardest part was the rotation of my hip where they’d dislocated it.�

Praast said Gavlak had to return to surgery a few months in because the doctors had to readjust the bone, so he was back on crutches for a while.

That didn’t stop Gavlak from making it out on the basketball court, but he favored his weak right leg. That sidelined him again in February, the day before his birthday “When I’d go up for a shot, I’d compensate by coming down on my left foot,� Gavlak said. “In the third to the last game, I came down on a guy’s foot and dislocated my ankle.�

So began another four months of PT. “Basically, I did PT non-stop for a year.� Gavlak said.

None of that physical therapy has been wasted.

Gavlak showed up to the first day of practice on Aug. 15 feeling a little rusty but strong. At his one-year checkup, Gavlak learned that his injured leg was at 92 percent of his good one. “That last 10 percent is the hardest to get,� Gavlak said. “But I don’t think I’m compensating anymore.�

Praast said he can tell his running back isn’t what he was before the crash, but he’s seen Gavlak improve in just the first two weeks of practice. “If you knew what he looked like before, you could tell that he’s just not as quick on his cuts,� Praast said. “But he seems to be more healthy since he started camp, and he should be close to 100 percent if we make any playoffs.�

But Gavlak doesn’t have to rely on just being quick on his feet.

Praast said he’s looking forward to having Gavlak shore up his defense. As a middle linebacker and team captain, Gavlak runs the front seven, and Praast said Gavlak has a good head for it. “He’s pretty smart, after watching all those films,� Praast said. “You tell him once and he remembers it. He gets them to line up right and that’s three-quarters of the battle.�

Praast said he thinks part of the reason he hasn’t lost anyone during preseason is because of Gavlak. In fact, he gained a couple of seniors, friends of Gavlak’s, who didn’t play last year. “That’s one of the reason’s he’s our lead captain,� Praast said. “The kids think they could follow him through a brick wall.�

If anyone could make it through a brick wall, it’s Gavlak, mainly because of his attitude. His challenges have left him with an outlook that’s hard to beat.

By the way, the first time he almost died was in sixth grade: A blood vessel in his brain broke when he was playing football. A few days later, when he couldn’t walk or talk, he was rushed into surgery. “The way I’ve always looked at it, I really shouldn’t have lived,�

Gavlak said. “Anything now is just another chance and you have to work for what you want. “And now it’s my senior year, and I get to play football. That’s the best part.�

Contact reporter Laura Lundquist at 363-3300 or laura.lundquist@ ravallirepublic.com.

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4 - Ravalli Republic, Friday, September 2, 2011

New Hamilton High School head football coach Travis Blome goes over some details with his offense during practice last week.

DAVID ERICKSON / Ravalli Republic

Q & A with new Bronc head football coach Travis Blome DAVID ERICKSON Ravalli Republic

For the first time in 18 years, Hamilton High School has a new head football coach in Travis Blome, who took over for Steve Weston. The Ravalli Republic recently chatted with Blome about how

things are going in his first year as a head coach and what kind of new philosophy he brings both on and off the field. Blome played quarterback for the Billings Central Rams in high school, leading them to the 2001 State A championship game. He was an assistant coach at Butte High as well before moving to Hamilton this year.

Ravalli Republic, Friday, September 2, 2011, 2010 - 5

Q: Why did you decide to install a no-huddle offense this year?

A: That was something that we established in Butte a couple years ago. It’s just a system developed a couple years ago and is something that I really believe in.

Q: Does the quarterback make more of the decisions in this system?

A: Most of it still comes from me. The players do a lot of checks and stuff. It’s just a way and dictate what the defense is doing, because they don’t have time for substitutions.

Q: Is the system more complicated, meaning there is more of a learning curve?

A: We established a wristband system, and that makes it easier DAVID ERICKSON / Ravalli Republic

Hamilton head coach Travis Blome talks to his players about concussion testing after a practice at Hamilton High School.

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6 - Ravalli Republic, Friday, September 2, 2011

Blome, Continued from pg. 5 for them. It kind of spells out the responsibility for them kind of makes it easier so they can just play and react.

Q: How are things going in your first year as a head coach, taking over for Steve Weston who was such an institution here?

A: It’s been a learning process just like any new head coach. Coach Weston left the program in great shape and just trying to come in and stick with the same fundamentals and hard work ethic.

Q: How do you feel about your team chemistry so far this year?

A: We’re young at a lot of positions, and for a lot of seniors it’s their first varsity experience. We have a lot of growing up to do .But they come to work every day and I like to see that.

Q: Are you comfortable as a head coach so far?

A: Well, it’s my first head coaching job. I have great assistant coaches that help with a lot of things. That makes it easier on me. I’m just getting to work every day and learning.

Q: How are you getting along with the kids?

A: The kids and I get along pretty well. It’s pretty easy when they are good kids. And they are always here ready to get going.

Q: You aren’t too far removed from your playing days. Has the game changed at all since you played?

A: The game of football is always changing and evolving. But some things are always the same. If you can’t block and tackle you aren’t going to be able to win.

Q: How does the athleticism of kids in the Bitterroot compare to other areas of the state that you’ve been?

A: The kids in this valley are very good athletes, and they are all good kids.

Q: What subject do you teach at the high school, and how is that part of your job going?

A: I’m settling in pretty good. It’s always a different transition moving.

Q: Have you had any time to enjoy the outdoors since you got here?

A: (Laughs) No, I’ve been pretty limited, just getting everything ready for the year.

Q: How does being a head coach compare with being an assistant? Anything unexpected?

A: There’s just a lot more day to day stuff, just a lot of paperwork. As a head coach you have to get involved in the personal life of the kids. As an assistant you don’t worry about that stuff, it’s just X’s and O’s. But as a head coach you are more of a mentor to these kids.

Q: Are you comfortable in that role as a mentor to the kids?

A: I’m the freshman global studies teacher.

It hasn’t been too bad so far, but I haven’t had classes yet so we’ll see.

A: I’m very comfortable with it. That’s why you get into the teaching and coaching profession. You’re trying to help them out in life, and football does prepare them for the life ahead of them.

Q: How are you adjusting to living in Hamilton?

Contact reporter David Erickson at 3633300 or daviderickson@ravallirepublic.com.

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Southwestern A football: A power vacuum DAVID ERICKSON / Ravalli Republic

The Stevensville Yellowjackets have been working hard in practice. They are looking to build on the success of last year’s surprising squad that went to the playoffs.

BOB MESEROLL for

Bitterroot Game Day

There is something of a power vacuum in the Southwestern A football ranks.

Top dog Dillon - tabbed as the preseason favorite in a vote of the league’s coaches - will be as tough as ever under veteran coach Terry Thomas.

But the other beast of the league, Frenchtown, has defected to the Northwestern A, replaced by a Butte Central squad that lost 18 starters off its playoff team of a year ago.

In the eight seasons that Frenchtown and Dillon were both members of the Southwestern A, neither team finished worse than a tie for second.

The team that looks poised to fill the Broncs’ cleats this season appears to be Stevensville, which returns 16 starters and 22 lettermen off a team that qualified for the playoffs last season for the first time since 2004.

Second-year coach Hank Praast’s club is especially deep at the skill positions, where all-state quarterback Caleb Vance will trigger the Yellowjackets’ fast-paced offense.

Stevensville averaged 27 points a game during the regular season

last year, but that was dragged down by a 28-6 loss to Frenchtown and a 47-0 setback to Dillon. In consecutive wins over Anaconda and Hamilton, the Jackets scored a total of 99 points.

“We’re kind of wide open,” Praast said of the Jackets’ attack. “We throw lot of screens - we throw about 80 percent of the time. On our depth chart, we’re three deep at every position. We’re going to sub in and out. Every coach says that, but I believe we have the opportunity to never be tired.”

Vance spearheads Praast’s shotgun zone-read offense.

“We try to get on the outside and get it to our speed guys,” Praast said. “That gives Caleb an opportunity to run and pass.”

In a 48-47 shootout win over Hamilton last season, Vance ran for 181 yards and completed 24 passes for 382 yards.

“He’s almost a running back playing quarterback,” Praast said of the 6-foot, 188-pound senior. “That’s not to say he can’t throw the football. He went to a couple of camps and worked hard on that, but he’s about as good a running back as there is at quarterback.”

Vance will have a stable full of targets to throw to, led by senior playmakers Josh Lords and Josh Haynes.

“He runs the 200 in track and is one of our return guys,” Praast said of Lords. “He gives us really good speed.”

8 - Ravalli Republic, Friday, September 2, 2011

Southwestern A capsules

Haynes was an all-state wideout last season. “He has a freakish ability to make that play that might not be there,� Praast said. “He runs great routes and is a physical kid.�

The defense will be bolstered by the return of Tyler Gavlak, a 6-1, 210-pound linebacker who missed last season with a broken leg. Jesse Sims, a 6-4, 205-pound freshman, could make an immediate impact at defensive end. “Last year we said we’re going to have to outscore people,� Praast said. “We should be able to play defense this year. I just came out of a scrimmage and our defense flat worked us over.

They looked really good.�

Praast was one of the four league coaches who picked Dillon to win the league. The Beavers return all-state quarterback J.T. Linder, the offensive MVP of the league last season. “Dillon never has a down year,� Praast said. “Just like Frenchtown. You try to strive to be what they are.�

Butte Central is picked to garner the third playoff berth from the Southwestern A. Coach Don Peoples’ squad lost 18 starters to graduation and has just two seniors on the roster. Those senior leaders are quarterback/strong safety Zach Kasperick and lineman Jake Simkins.

Hamilton is picked to finish fourth under firstyear coach Travis Blome. The Broncs, who lost 17 starters, will be led by running back/linebacker Cody Noffsinger and transfer quarterback Tyler Murray.

Corvallis, 0-9 a year ago, will have a corps of seniors - Stewart Landis, Austin Atkins, Tyler Berner and Aaron Gilder - to build around.

Butte Central Coach: Don Peoples (Carroll College ‘86), 150-60 in 22nd season at school.

Last made playoffs: 2010, lost in semifinals.

Returning starters: 4.

Playmaker: QB Zach Kasperick, 5-11, 185, sr. First team all-state at running back and all-conference at linebacker.

Others to watch: OL/LB Jake Simkins, 6-3, 220, sr.; RB/FS Joe Joyce, 5-10, 170, jr.; RB Wyatt Kingston, 5-8, 165, so.; OL/DL Kolten Lamiaux, 6-1, 240. jr.

Corvallis Coach: Russ Hendrickson (Montana ‘94), 13-32 in sixth season at school.

Last made playoffs: 2008, lost in first round.

Returning starters: 7 offense, 8 defense.

Playmaker: RB/LB Stewart Landis, 6-1, 190, sr. Allconference at RB last season.

Others to watch: OL/DL Austin Atkins, 6-2, 265, sr.; RB/SS Tyler Berner, 5-10, 170, sr.; OL/DL Aaron Gilder,

Bob Meseroll can be reached at 523-5265 or at sportsdesk@missoulian.com.

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Returning starters: 3 offense,

2 defense.

Dillon Coach: Terry Thomas (Montana 1980), 170-63 in 25th season at Dillon, 192-74 overall.

Last made playoffs: 2010, lost in semifinals.

Returning starters: 7 offense, 7 defense.

Playmaker: QB J.T. Linder, 6-2, 195, sr. Linder completed 63 percent of his passes last season for 1,552 yards and 18 touchdowns.

Was named the offensive MVP of the league and also was all-state.

Others to watch: C/DE Daniel Morstein, 6-2, 275, sr.; SB/S Ben Folsom, 6-2, 190, jr.; OL/LB Zeke Koslosky, 6-1, 230, sr.; SB/CB Austin Williams, 5-8, 140, sr.; RB/LB Kyle Cox, 5-10, 165, sr.; WR/ CB Wes Knox, 6-4, 190, sr.

Playmaker: QB Tyler Murray.

Others to watch: RB/LB

Cody Noffsinger, sr.; OL/DL Seth Ray, sr.; OL/DL Jackson Kanenwisher, sr.; K Seth Mason, sr.

Stevensville Coach: Hank Praast

(Montana Western ‘98), 7-4 in second year at school and overall.

Last made playoffs: 2010, lost in first round.

Returning starters: 8 offense, 8 defense.

Playmaker: QB Caleb Vance, 6-0, 188, sr. All-state last season.

Others to watch: WR/DB Josh Lords, 5-9, 150, sr.; RB/ LB Tyler Gavlak, 6-1, 210, sr.; WR/DB Josh Haynes, 6-2, 177, sr.; QB/DB Jared Schultz, 6-1, 150, so.; WR/DL Jesse Sims, 6-4, 203, fr.

Hamilton Coach: Travis Blome

(Montana Western 2008), 0-0 in first year at school and overall.

Last made playoffs: 2009, lost

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Class C football preview: Bobcats lead early favorites NICK LOCKRIDGE

mite in football. But we gotta keep them healthy.”

Senior tight end and defensive end Aaron Lowman (6-3, 225) is still recovering from an offseason knee injury and classmate Daylon Kuhl, Just three years ago, Superior was the talk of Class C football. who plays the same positions, won’t have enough practices to play It appears not much has changed. The Bobcats, after a two-year stint in Class B, are back in the eight-man football ranks and favored in the Bobcats’ season-opener against Arlee on Friday.

Charlo, which won the Western C a year ago, was picked second to win the Western C this fall. in the coaches’ poll, while perennial favorite Drummond was tabbed Superior, which last played Class C football during its undefeated third. The Vikings hope to build on last season’s 9-1 campaign, championship-winning season of 2008, received nine first-place votes in a preseason coaches’ poll. It’s a nice show of respect for the which ended with a loss to eventual Class C champ Chinook in the quarterfinals. The Trojans, who went 9-2 and lost to Wibaux in last Bobcats, who have gone back and forth between Class B and Class year’s state semifinals, won the eight-man title in 2009, the year after C five times in the last decade.

Superior did.

Enrollment numbers dictate the change in classifications, but The top three teams in the Western C are pretty well set, accordSuperior is lucky to have had the same man, 26th-year head coach ing to the coaches, even if Lucier isn’t so sure about being favored.

Dan Lucier, around for all of them.

“I guess I haven’t thought about it,” Lucier said. “I don’t have any “Football teams are like a bridge, it’s constantly under construcidea what we’re up against. I know what we were up against last year, tion,” Lucier said. “We have to be able to adapt. But that’s normal when we were in 6-B, and it’s changed. We don’t have any real rivals. for us.”

Some years it’s Loyola and Florence and at other times it’s Charlo This year has been made easier with the return of nine starters on and Drummond. It is fun getting to know people in all those areas, the offensive side - one will have to sit, unfortunately - and eight on but it’s hard too.” the defensive side of the ball. Nine of them are seniors.

Lincoln and Arlee, which were playoff teams in 2010, are also pro“We didn’t have many seniors last year, I think we had five, and the jected to fare well this fall. The Lynx, perhaps moreso than most, are year before that we only had four or five seniors,” Lucier said. “So sitting pretty. They return seven starters, including all-state quarterthese guys have had to go for us.”

Lucier is particularly excited to see what senior running back/safety back and linebacker Jerum AuClaire. The Warriors, meanwhile, also boast an all-stater - senior lineman Brady Potts - but they must help Matt Campbell can do this fall. break in new head coach Mike Rogers.

Campbell, who stands 5-foot-8 and weighs 120 pounds, broke Another team to keep an eye on is Darby, which dropped down to his hand in Superior’s fourth game last season against Cut Bank. He Class C after years and years of being Class B’s whipping boy in an missed the next six games as the Bobcats went 7-3 and bowed out attempt to be more competitive. in the Class B quarterfinals. Before his injury, Campbell had a game An individual to watch is senior wide receiver Stephen Delaney, where he caught 12 passes for more than 200 yards. who missed all last season with an injury. The Class C state hurdles Campbell is joined by junior running back Adam Kay (5-9, 155) as champion returns to the field this season for Charlo, which opens Superior’s top playmakers. its season at home against Drummond before hosting Superior in “Matt would have been all-state had he not broke his hand,” Week 2.

Lucier said. “He’s a tiny guy, but him and Adam are both so dynafor

Bitterroot Game Day

Best of Luck to all Valley Teams from your friends at 801 North 1st • Hamilton 363-3260

Ravalli Republic, Friday, September 2, 2011 - 11

Arlee Coach: Mike Rogers, 0-0 in first year at Arlee and overall.

Last made playoffs: 2010, lost to Twin Bridges in first round.

Returning starters: 3 offense, 4 defense.

Playmaker: Senior lineman Brady Potts (6-2, 230) earned all-state honors a year ago.

Others to watch: TE/DB Austin Rubel, 5-10, 145, jr.; RB/LB Logan Lefler, 5-5, 155, sr.; QB/LB Cody Sheridan 5-10, 195, sr.; RB/DB Zack Carver, 5-8, 155, sr.; RB/LB Zach Tameler, 5-6, 155, sr.; OL/DL Clayton Trimble, 5-11, 185, sr.

Charlo Coach: Mik Krahn (Montana ‘92), 9-1 in second year at Charlo and overall.

Last made playoffs: 2010, lost to Chinook in quarterfinals Returning starters: 4 offense, 3 defense.

Playmaker: Junior running back and safety Tra Ludeman (5-8, 155) gained almost 500 yards on the ground last season and was second on the team in scoring and tackles to Chico Stipe.

Others to watch: RB/LB Kolten Andrews, 5-9, 190, sr.; WR/DB Stephen Delaney, 6-1, 165, sr.; QB/DB Webb O’Neill, 5-11, 140, jr.; RB/DB Jacen Petersen, 5-7, 160, so.; OL/DL Danny Blevins, 5-11, 180, sr.

Drummond Coach: Jim Oberweiser (Montana ‘77), 192-77 in 31st year at Drummond and overall.

Last made playoffs: 2010, lost to Wibaux in semifinals.

Returning starters: 3 offense, 3 defense.

Playmaker: Senior Darius Pool (5-9, 165) has done it all for the Trojans - play quarterback, running back, cornerback and he’s one of the best return men in the state.

Others to watch: QB/DB Mac Bignell, 5-9, 165, jr.; E/DB/K Joe Mannix, 5-10, 165, sr.; RB/LB Austen Martell, 6-0, 175, sr.; E/DE Ben Lyons, 6-2, 175, sr.

Lincoln Coach: Shane Brown (Montana State ‘00), 14-33 in seventh year at Lincoln and overall.

Last made playoffs: 2010, lost to Joliet in first round.

Returning starters: 7 offense, 7 defense.

Playmaker: Junior quarterback Jerum AuClaire (5-10, 162) was selected to the Class C all-state team as a sophomore. In addition to leading the Lynx to the playoffs last season for the first time since 1998, AuClaire was one of

Darby Coach: Nathan Olson (Montana ‘93), 3-28 in fifth year at Darby and overall.

Last made playoffs: 1991, lost to Eureka in first round.

Returning starters: 2 offense, 2 defense.

Playmaker: Senior Jeremy Campbell

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Noxon Coach: Josh Patterson (Georgia ‘06), 0-0 in first year at Noxon and overall.

Last made playoffs: 1999, lost to Victor in first round.

Returning starters: 5 offense, 4 defense.

Playmaker: Senior Jordan Eichert (60, 210) is so well-rounded he’s listed as a quarterback, offensive lineman, inside linebacker and nose guard.

He’s one of five seniors who Patterson will look to in his rookie season.

Others to watch: TE/DE Oliver Grupenhoff, 6-4, 240, so.; QB/RB/FS Brandon Piazzola, 5-8, 150, jr.; OG/ DE Taylor Scott, 5-10, 230, sr.; WR/SS Banks Stocking, 6-2, 185, sr.

Philipsburg Coach: Mike Cutler (Montana ‘94), 0-0 in first year at Philipsburg, eighth overall.

Last made playoffs: 1997, lost to Ennis in first round.

Returning starters: 4 offense, 4 defense.

Playmaker: Junior running back and linebacker Barrett Stanghill (5-9, 165) is one of the toughest athletes in the state and he returns to anchor the Prospectors’ backfield and defensive front for a third straight season.

Others to watch: QB Phil Shields, 6-0, 175, sr.; OL/DL Andrew Brice, 6-0, 175; TE/LB Nick Vose, 5-11, 175, jr.; WR/DB Jerry Metesh, 5-5, 115, so.

Seeley-Swan Coach: Shawn Holmes (UM-Western ‘87), 23-39 in 10th year at Seeley and overall.

Last made playoffs: 2005, lost to Thompson Falls in first round.

Returning starters: 5 offense, 5 defense.

Playmaker: Junior quarterback Conor Marlatt (5-10, 160).

Others to watch: RB Brandon VanDeRiet, 5-7, 155, sr.; RB Brad Varner, 5-7, 135, sr.; WR Skyler Lee, 6-0, 165, jr.

Superior Coach: Dan Lucier (UM-Western ‘81), 154-70 in 26th year at Superior and overall.

Last made playoffs: 2010, lost Fairfield in quarterfinals.

Returning starters: 9 offense, 8 defense.

Playmaker: Senior running back and safety Matt Campbell (5-8, 120) missed the Bobcats’ last six games of the 2010 season with an injury, but the scatback was putting up huge numbers before going down.

Others to watch: RB/LB Adam Kay, 5-9, 155, jr.; QB/S Billy Smith, 5-9, 150, jr.; C/DT Spud Crabb, 6-0, 215, sr.; TE/ DE Aaron Lowman, 6-3, 225, sr.; G/ DE Dan Taron, 5-10, 155, sr.; TE/DE Daylon Kuhl, 6-0, 170, sr.

Victor Coach: Brandon Howell (Whitworth ‘08), 7-10 in third year at Victor and overall.

Last made playoffs: 2009, lost to Centerville in first round.

Returning starters: 4 offense, 5 defense.

Playmaker: Senior quarterback and defensive end Kurt Manely (6-3, 195) enters his third season as the starter under center.

Others to watch: WR/LB Corey Deering, 6-3, 165, jr.; RB/LB Chris Morozumi, 5-8, 175, sr.; WR/S Kyle Ball, 5-10, 130, jr.; OL/DL Tanner Sacks, 6-0, 215, sr.

WINGS

STEVENSVILLE

(6-0, 166) takes his turn under center for the Tigers, who hope a move down to Class C kick-starts their football program.

Others to watch: RB/DL Colton Johnston, 5-9, 174, jr.; WR/DB Dylan Knox, 5-9, 160, jr.; OL/LB Ryan Millage, 5-5, 154, sr.; C/DL Dylan Leidner, 5-9, 185, sr.; RB/LB Caleb Caicedo, 5-9, 127, sr.; TE/DE Neacko Smith, 5-11, 158, sr.

PIZZA

Western C capsules

the team’s top tacklers.

Others to watch: OL/DE Ward Roberson, 6-1, 184, sr.; RB/LB Justin Eiskant, 5-10, 151, sr.; TE/S Harley Schau, 6-0, 172, sr.; OL/DT Sam Harris, 6-0, 191, sr.; RB/LB Klint Menard, 5-11, 6-3, jr.; RB/DE Josh Erickson, 6-0, 194, jr.

Join us before or after the game for pizza, wings, burgers and more!

2356 Hwy 93 N, Victor • 642-3380

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Jerry Wessels Tire Center 363-3884 201 N. 1st St., Hamilton

Harper’s Bitterroot Valley Tire Center 777-4667 4026 Hwy 93 N, Stevensville