Bigfork: Gridiron rags to riches

Rock bottom to rock solid - it's been an incredible gridiron journey for four determined and dedicated Bigfork athletes.

Linemen Jerry Rose and Anthony Curtis and the backfield duo of Christian Ker and Travis Knoll have endured many highs and lows as four-year starters with the Vikings.

"We were 0-8 both years," Rose said of his freshman and sophomore seasons.

Rose said the football team had just 17 players his freshman season "and 25 at the most his sophomore year."

Not a strong foundation for success.

Despite the losing, the 5-foot-11, 220-pound center/defensive tackle never wavered or entertained thoughts of quitting.

"No," he said.

"I always knew we had the talent. It just felt like the team wasn't ready."

Curtis, on the other hand, did toy with the idea of turning in his gear.

"My freshman year was my first year (of ever playing football)," the 5-10, 220-pound left tackle/nose guard said.

"I didn't know what to think of it.

"I kind of liked it, but I didn't like the way our team was going. We weren't winning and I didn't like losing.

"My dad pushed me to play my sophomore year," he admitted.

"That's when I fell in love with it."

To stay upbeat, Curtis said he approached every game those first two seasons like Bigfork was 0-0.

"And that the best team would come out on top," he said.

Bigfork competed in Class A those winless seasons. The Vikings made the switch back to Class B for the 2009-2010 school year when its enrollment numbers dipped.

Not only did switching classes help the program, but so did the return of coach Todd Emslie and a few new staff members.

"He's motivated us. Forced us to believe in ourselves," Rose said.

And success followed quickly.

Bigfork tied for the District 7B title last season, despite not advancing to the playoffs. The Vikings finished 4-4 overall, 4-1 in league play.

They followed that by winning the 7B regular-season title this fall with a 5-0 mark. Overall, the team is 6-2 and ranked No. 10 in the latest Class B rankings. Today it hosts No. 9 Missoula Loyola (6-2) in the first-round playoff action. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.

"I always knew we had the talent," Rose said.

"It just felt like the team wasn't ready (my first two years). It felt like they (the players) didn't believe in themselves, didn't have the confidence to prove to everyone that we have the caliber of team we have now.

"I felt before I graduated that the team would come out and show everyone we would win some games," Rose said.

Knoll, a shifty, speedy 6-0, 178-pound tailback, is one of the key reasons the Vikings have one of the most explosive offensive attacks in the state.

Knoll has rushed for 1,282 yards on 142 carries for a 9.0 yard per carry average and 20 touchdowns. His longest run from scrimmage is 70 yards.

"Credit it all to the linemen," Knoll said.

"We have some of the biggest and best in the state."

And ...

"Speed doesn't hurt," he said.

Knoll has also caught 15 passes for a team-high 465 yards. He has four TD receptions.

Knoll averages over 200 yards per game in total offense (160.3 rushing and 58.1 receiving).

"I look back at it, it's real cool to see how far we've come," he said.

"And we've developed into a real good team."

Knoll, a first-team, all-conference selection last year, said he never thought of quitting.

"I enjoy playing too much," he said.

"I always felt my grade and the younger grades as they move up, we would have a successful team.

"Coach Emslie definitely changed the mentality," he said.

Knoll rushed for a season high 232 yards in a 43-24 victory over Troy. He was held to less than 100 yards rushing just once - he ran for 95 in a 28-7 loss to Fairfield, which was ranked No. 1.

In a season-opening 61-34 loss at Missoula Loyola, he rushed for 127 yards.

"The turning point last year was against Plains," Knoll said.

"That was the point we knew we could experience winning."

Knoll remembers staying positive, despite trailing Plains 17-3 at the half.

"I don't know if it was his (Emslie) halftime speech, but somehow we got it going. We tied it up and took it into overtime."

Knoll then scored the game-winning touchdown. Not only did Bigfork gain its first win in many seasons, but it beat a ranked team as well.

"It puts it in perspective when you haven't won many games. A lot of teams take it for granted," Knoll said of winning.

"They don't know what it's like to have unsuccessful teams.

"I always hoped we would get to the point we'd be a championship-caliber team," he added.

"But it was hard to imagine when we had so many winless seasons."

Knoll feels the program is now in good hands for years to come.

"Awesome junior class behind us," he said.

"They will dominate next year. All the grades below that are solid, too."

Ker, 6-3, 180, started just two games his freshman year, but has been taking snaps as the starter for the last three seasons.

Ker is enjoying another standout season. He has completed 51 percent of his passes (52 of 102) for 953 yards and 11 touchdowns. He has been intercepted just five times.

He has teamed up with Connor Coleman (15 receptions for 235 yards) for five touchdown passes. Ian Lorang has a team-best 16 catches for 219 yards (two touchdowns).

"After those first two years, I would never guess we would be a playoff team," Ker said.

"Winning games was our first priority.

"Coach Emslie, coming in, was a big thing and a win against Plains at home - our first first. In the second quarter (of that game) we realized we had a shot of winning. By the end, we knew we could win.

"The last two years have been fun," he continued.

"It has sparked my interest. I've come to find a love for the game."

Ker would love to fling the football around the field like his favorite pro player Peyton Manning of the Indianapolis Colts, but knows a balanced attack gives Bigfork its best shot at winning on a regular basis.

"I'd really like that if I had to throw the ball that much," he said.

"We have a solid running game. Our line has been really good this year."

Ker says he has been sacked just five times and those came in the two losses.

"We always think we're gonna win," Ker said of the team's new attitude.

"There is not a losing mentality any more."

NOTE: All four seniors are team captains and plan to further their education. Rose, Curtis and Ker were honorable mention all-conference selections last year. Knoll would like to play football at the University of Montana, or an Ivy League school. He is a straight A student and also competes in basketball and track. Rose, who moved to Bigfork from Florida, hopes to land a cheerleading scholarship to Kansas State University. Curtis will attend a Diesel Mechanic School in Arizona and Ker is hoping to land a football or basketball scholarship.