Glacier's young, but talented on the gridiron
Some different guys are going to get their shot.
The word ‘young' came up several times in a Sunday evening telephone conversation with Glacier head football coach Grady Bennett.
The Wolfpack has put together two straight winning seasons and has made the Class AA playoffs twice. But with only 17 seniors and three full-time starters returning on offense, it will be a different group than Wolfpack fans have gotten used to.
The Glacier Wolfpack will take the field at 7 p.m. tonight at Legends Stadium against Billings Skyview.
"We are going to start a lot of young kids," Bennett said.
The Wolfpack (6-5 in 2010) will start seven to eight juniors on both sides of the ball.
But Bennett feels good about those guys.
"We have a good junior class. They're talented kids. They play like seniors. They went toe-to-toe with everybody (at camp this summer)," he said.
"Their attitude and their understanding is really good. Our senior class is really thin, but the guys who are still around are really special," he added.
One of the biggest keys for Glacier success is the defensive line.
"Our defensive line is really the strength of our team. It's a real hard-working group. They will be key for us," the coach said.
Bennett had compliments for senior Caleb Harris (6-foot-3, 200 pounds).
Harris was hit with the injury bug last year, but "he had a great summer and he's ready to go now. He's just a great football player."
He'll be joined by Luke Halliburton (6-1, 215), Devon Jeffries (6-2, 230), Jake Tudahl (6-1, 182) and Ben Ogden (6-0, 200).
"Those five will rotate in four spots and keep the pressure on," he said.
Linebackers Matt Iavicoli (6-0, 17) and Shelton Todd (6-3, 195) "I think are both going to have really good years. I'm excited for Matt. It'll be fun to watch him play."
In the secondary, Tyson Hubbard (5-9, 172) did get a bit of experience last year when Bryan Chery was out with injuries.
"Tyson got on the field and did a good job," Bennett said.
Offensively, Glacier has a group of absolute playmakers on the perimeter.
"We have nice athletes. They have a little more speed, a little more playmaking ability."
Bennett also had good things to say about the Wolfpack running backs.
Aaron Mitchell (5-8, 180) has had a strong offseason in the weightroom, Kellyn Faraone (5-11, 190) "really looks like he has a ton of potential" and Noah James (6-1, 176) should expect playing time as well.
As for that all-important quarterback spot - that's a bit of a question.
Juniors Dawson Day (5-10, 166) and Taylor Hulslander (6-1, 160) have been vying for the job.
Bennett vows to bring both along slowly.
"We want to try to stay balanced, get them in a rhythm and get them comfortable," he said.
"It's been a good battle. They've both battled through the winter work, summer camp - and they've both gotten better and better. They're such different kids and different quarterbacks.
"If I could put them together, I'd probably have a Division I quarterback.
"Both can play and they are both going to get on the field and get their chance to lead this team," the coach said.
"I'm not opposed to playing two quarterbacks. Until it becomes really clear (who should start) you use both of their strengths. They can both do some things. If they both move the team ... that's what matters."
Teams looking good so far this year include state runner-up Helena High. It made a heckuva run last year with a mostly junior squad.
Bennett also said Billings Senior looked good at camp this summer and Billings West (which advanced to the state semis last fall) has a lot of returners.
He expects perennial playoff contenders Helena Capital and CMR to be good.
"After that, everybody else is just battling to get in that mix. I hope we're right in that next group trying to get that shot," Bennett said.
2011 Glacier Football Schedule
Today - 7 p.m. Skyview at Glacier
Sept. 2 - 7:30 at CMR
Sept. 9 - 7 p.m. Helena at Glacier
Sept. 16 - 7 p.m. Hellgate at Glacier
Sept. 23 - 7 p.m. at Bozeman
Sept. 30 - 7 p.m. at Flathead
Oct. 7 - 7 p.m. at Sentinel
Oct. 14 - 7 p.m.Great Falls at Glacier
Oct. 21 - 7 p.m. at Capital
Oct. 28 - 7 p.m. Big Sky at Glacier