Knights open RMFL season vs. Great Falls
The last Rocky Mountain Football League season for the Glacier Knights ended on a positive note with six players named to the all-star game.
Some other highlights included …
Snapping a 33-game losing streak with a 42-6 triumph over Snake River.
Posting their best record in six years with a 3-5 mark.
Owner/head coach Will Wheat was named coach of the year in AA.
And running back Mike Kuehne broke the AA record for the longest run from scrimmage - 96 yards versus Helena.
Well on Saturday, the team will celebrate another positive twist - they finally open the season at home. Glacier welcomes the Great Falls Gladiators with a 3 p.m. kickoff at Columbia Falls High School.
Admission is $5, while youngsters 10-and-under and seniors (55 and older) are admitted free.
"First time in our history," Wheat said of starting the campaign on its home field.
And it comes against the league favorite.
"It will be a tough one," Wheat promised.
"With what we put together (team-wise) this year, we're confident we will come out on top."
All six Knights who played in the all-star game are back. They are: Dr. Steve Biggs, defensive end; Kuehne, 6-foot-0, 190-pound former Flathead standout; Rajiem Seabrook, an offensive guard from Missoula; Jared Taylor, 6-5, 230-pound center; Jesse Shaw, middle linebacker who was third in AA last year in total tackles; and Paul Ryan, a safety from Missoula.
Biggs, 46, is the oldest Knight and also serves as the team doctor.
All total, the Knights have 45 players on the roster with 20-25 returning veterans. The Knights have 12 players from Missoula and this year a handful from Calgary. Three of the Canadians start.
"This is the most talented group of guys that I've coached, or played with on this team," said Wheat, who is 35 years of age.
"We had a few last year (from Calgary), not as many. With the success we had last year, we're getting more."
Wheat played defensive end for two years before taking over the coaching reigns. He played two years of junior college football at Alan Hancock College, where he was a wide receiver.
Wheat is high on former Flathead player Curtis Manning. A strong safety in high school, Manning will also be a receiver with the Knights and handle all the kicking duties.
Manning plays soccer at Flathead Valley Community College in the fall.
The Knights will have a new starting quarterback this year - Jeff Greenwell from Logan, Utah. Greenwell, in his late 20s, played high school football and college rugby.
"We've also beefed up various positions at linebacker and our tailback position (is much improved)," Wheat said.
"I always have room for big guys. We can always use lineman. Our offensive line averages about 300 pounds"
The Knights travel to Ogden, Utah, to face the Marauders the second Saturday of the season, but return home for three straight home games. The regular season ends June 6 at Helena.
Wheat said the Knights drew between 250-350 fans for home games a year ago. He would like to see that number increase.
There are two divisions in the Rocky Mountain Football League - AA and AAA - and 28 teams total from Montana, Idaho and Utah.
Glacier, Great Falls and Helena Titans are in the Big Sky Division. Snake River, Boise and Magic Valley make up the Intermountain Division. There are 14 teams in AA and the top six advance to the playoffs.
"I'd say we're looking real strong," Wheat said.
"Finish 5-3 and get a wild-card berth into the playoffs," he said of the team goals.
The Flathead Knights practice every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at Evergreen Middle School. Individuals wishing to play should call Wheat, 756-1155.
Knights
Schedule
2009
April 11 - Great Falls Gladiators, 3 p.m.
April 18 - at Mt. Ogden, 4 p.m.
April 25 - Davis Vipers, 5 p.m.
May 2 - Snake River, 3 p.m.
May 9 - Helena Titans, 3 p.m.
May 16 - at Utah C. Outlaws, 6 p.m.
May 23 - Bye
May 30 - at Great Falls Gladiators, 4 p.m.
June 6 - at Helena Titans, 1 p.m.