Football preview: Flathead players prefer to look ahead, not back
The Flathead Braves are eager to put last season behind them.
Flathead finished 1-9 a year ago and graduated all of its starters at the skill positions, but the Braves are optimistic their experience in the trenches will lead to better results this season.
“It’s a whole new year,” said co-captain Axel Bladholm, a 6-foot-5, 260-pound lineman who started on both sides of the ball a year ago. “We’ve got a whole new team. I think everybody’s forgotten about (last year) and moved on.”
Bladholm, who received an all-conference honorable mention at offensive guard last season, is one of three returning starters and five seniors poised to start on Flathead’s offensive line. Mitchell Stivers returns as the starter at center and Jordan Layne will once again man right tackle. Senior Adam Bradley, who missed last season with an injury, will start at left tackle.
“I really like how physical we are,” seventh-year Flathead coach Russell McCarvel said. “I think that’s been a big thing for us this fall. It’s really been fun to watch the progression. We lost some guys, but on the other hand we have a great returning group of linemen. I think that’s really going to be the key to our squad.”
The Braves graduated their starting quarterback, running back, top two wide receivers and top two tight ends from last season, making it all the more important to have that experience in the trenches.
“There’s always pressure on the line,” Bladholm said. “They can’t do anything without us.
“We don’t have the biggest o-line in the state, but all our guys know what they’re doing and they work really hard. I think we can pull it together and beat some of the bigger teams.”
McCarvel said junior Easton Johnson will take over at quarterback. He saw limited varsity action a year ago, but didn’t throw a pass.
“He’s got great feet, he’s a solid thrower and a great leader,” McCarvel said.
Junior Anthony Holm is the top returning running back after picking up 84 yards on 24 varsity carries a year ago. McCarvel said senior Colten Dopps and juniors Brad Larkins, Brady Galarza and Aaron Siderius are also in the mix to receive carries.
Senior 6-foot-4 wideout Dillon Thomas is the only receiver who saw significant action a year ago.
Flathead’s defense returns four starters in nose guard Bladholm, senior ends Conner Mayberry and Tanner Diede and senior free safety Colten Wiley, whose 46 tackles a year ago were fifth on the team.
“We’re really solid defensively everywhere,” McCarvel said.
“We don’t have any big holes. I think that’s really going to be a strength for our defense is our depth. Not only do we have a good starting 11, but at every position we have some guys that can fill in and play.”
The defense is bolstered by the return of senior co-captain Caleb McCracken, a linebacker who sat out last season.
“Missing a full year of football makes me want to come out and be the best I can this year,” he said.
Bladholm said McCracken has added speed to the second level of the Braves’ defense and McCarvel has been impressed with the senior’s work ethic.
“Not only has he worked incredibly hard in the weight room, but his maturity has led him to be voted one of our team captains,” McCarvel said.
The defense also hopes to benefit from senior newcomer Blaine Newman. The third-leading scorer on Flathead’s basketball team last season, Newman decided to play football this fall and is poised to make an impact at cornerback and on special teams.
“He’s obviously a great athlete, had a great year in basketball last year and has stepped right in and done a nice job defensively for us, and punting-wise he’s been a nice pickup,” McCarvel said.
The big question for the Braves is, who will create turnovers? Flathead finished last in Class AA with a minus-22 turnover margin last season.
“We hope a lot of guys can make plays,” McCarvel said. “Certainly a big part of the game defensively is trying to create turnovers. We’ve worked at it. Hopefully we can find a way to get some turnovers.
“And conversely we have to turn it over less. Without a doubt we lost the turnover battle huge last year and that’s a big reason why we ended up where we did. For us to turn the corner we’re going to have to turn it over less on offense and create some turnovers defensively.
The Braves open their season today at Great Falls High at 7:30 p.m. The Bison finished 2-8 a year ago and beat Flathead 47-33 the third week of the season.
“They’re really solid,” McCarvel said of Great Falls.
“They’re going to want to run the ball, establish the run and stop the run. The team that is able to establish the run and stop the run, that will be the team that will win.”
2013 Braves Schedule
Aug. 30 — at Great Falls High, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 6 — Billings Skyview, 7 p.m.
Sept. 13 — Helena Capital, 7 p.m.
Sept. 20 — Flathead at Missoula Big Sky, 7 p.m.
Sept. 27 — C.M. Russell (Homecoming), 7 p.m.
Oct. 4 — at Helena High, 7 p.m.
Oct. 11 — Bozeman, 7 p.m.
Oct. 18 — at Missoula Hellgate, 7 p.m.
Oct. 25 — at Missoula Sentinel, 7 p.m.
Nov. 1 — Glacier, 7 p.m. (Senior Night)