As 2010 Vikings ready for state title game, Bigfork alums walk down memory lane

Chad Anderson hopes Bigfork's football team can take care of business on Saturday and win a state football championship.

It's a far better scenario than the one he's had to deal with.

"You do not want to replay that losing feeling for 15 years like I have," he said.

"Win.

"It's a better feeling."

That was his message Thursday as he addressed the team after its final full-scale practice. Today, the 10th-ranked Vikings will have a simple walk-through in preparation for Saturday's showdown with No. 7 Fairfield.

On Saturday, "it's show time," Bigfork coach Todd Emslie told his players before introducing Anderson. That's when the Vikings and Eagles play for a Class B state championship. The kickoff is set for 1 p.m. Both teams are 9-2.

"It's been a hard game for me to let go of," Anderson admitted.

"I didn't want to lose that game.

"I still think of it as if we had won it.

"In our minds, we did win the game. It's too bad the score didn't show it."

The former all-state wide receiver for the Vikings spoke to the team for a quick five minutes. He stressed the important of playing hard and leaving nothing on the field.

Anderson was a member of the 1995 Bigfork squad that lost to Frenchtown 12-0 in the state title game. That contest was played in Frenchtown.

And if that wasn't enough, Bigfork had also lost to Frenchtown the two previous seasons in earlier playoff rounds.

"We had two touchdowns and one long run (to the 5-yard line)," he said in the title game.

"All three plays were called back on penalties."

One of the plays was a 60-yard touchdown pass to Anderson.

"Offside call," he said.

Anderson said he's kept a close watch on the Vikings since graduating from high school. He admits the last two seasons have been the most exciting to follow.

"When Emslie came back, I had high hopes for the team," he said.

Anderson is one of a handful of former players Emslie has invited to speak to his team during the season.

"Tonight, this kid comes in and maybe two kids on the current team know who Chad Anderson is," Emslie said.

"He was one of the better kids Bigfork has produced.

"I think it helps the kids understand there are a lot of people behind them, a lot of support. I don't think they understand sometimes how many people are thinking about them."

To help illustrate that, Emslie said he's also heard from many former players and fans the last couple weeks.

"I've got e-mails from all over, dropping lines, letting us know they will be here, or at least in spirit," he said.

Anderson watched Bigfork last week take care of No. 3-ranked Townsend 28-14.

He will be there again on Saturday.

"This team is completely different (than the one I played on)," he said.

"We had a real strong passing attack. They have a great running attack.

"This brings back a lot of memories," he added.