Austin Cantrell, other local players sign with Montana Tech
Montana Tech head football coach Chuck Morrell has announced another round of signees for the 2012 football season. The group includes players from three Flathead Valley high schools.
“We are very pleased as our recruiting class starts to wrap up,” said Morrell. “We addressed depth and skill at a number of positions, especially along the offensive front.”
Austin Cantrell, a 6-foot-1, 256-pound offensive and defensive lineman from Bigfork, will play defensive line for Montana Tech.
Cantrell received awards on both sides of the ball for the Vikings. In 2010, he was named a first-team, all-conference offensive guard and defensive tackle, a first-team, all-state defensive tackle and the defensive MVP for Class A.
In 2011, Cantrell was first-team, all-conference at both positions and was once again first-team, all-state at defensive tackle and the defensive MVP. Cantrell has held high school lifting records in the bench press (345 pounds) and squat (545 pounds).
In addition to athletics, Cantrell is a volunteer at the Ferndale Fire Department and Swan-Mission Search and Rescue. He brings a 3.5 GPA to Tech.
Signing from Flathead are: Travis Oakason, 6-2, 265, offensive lineman, and Nick Riley, 6-2, 260, offensive guard.
Riley will play that same position for Tech. He was named first-team, all-state last fall and has been selected to play in the Montana Shrine game and the Badlands Bowl this summer. Riley has a 3.2 GPA.
Oakason will play offensive line for the Orediggers. He was a tackle and guard for the Braves.
As a junior, Oakason was an honorable-mention, all-conference selection at right guard. This past season, he was second-team, all-conference and an honorable-mention, all-state selection at left tackle. Oakason has been selected academic all-state three years while carrying a 3.6 GPA.
Joining the Orediggers from Glacier are: Mack Sutherland, 5-11, 240, offensive and defensive lineman; Logan Connolly, 6-2, 275, lineman; and Trent Halstad, 6-2, 285, left tackle.
Sutherland, a successful multiple sport athlete for the Wolfpack, will play offensive guard for Tech. He was named first-team, all-conference and second-team, all-state at offensive guard for 2011. Sutherland placed fifth place at the state wrestling tournament in the 215-pound weight class last year and was second at heavyweight earlier this month. He will bring a 3.95 GPA to Tech.
Connolly will play on the offensive line for Tech. He carries a 4.0 GPA and was named academic all-state in football three times. He is a member of the National Honors Society.
The Orediggers have Halstad projected as a left tackle. He was an honorable-mention, all-conference selection in football his junior season. Last fall he garnered second-team, all-conference and all-state honorable mention honors at his position. Halstad has a 4.0 GPA and was academic all-state for football.
“These young men are all quality individuals on and off the field that will give us opportunities to succeed in the Frontier Conference,” said Morrell.