Badlands Bowl: Montana all-star team loaded with Glacier standouts

MILES CITY — When the Montana team takes the field today at Connors Stadium for the Knights of Columbus Montana-North Dakota Badlands Bowl all-star football game, coach Grady Bennett’s team will have a lot of familiar faces.

Nearly a quarter of the Treasure State squad consists of players from Bennett’s Glacier team that went undefeated on its run to the Class AA state championship, with eight of 34 members hailing from the Wolfpack.

That, along with Glacier assistant coach Shannon Smith to lead the defense, has helped the team quickly pick up a system with only a week of practice.

“Not only is it the fact that we have eight of them, but they’re broken up at the perfect positions,” Bennett said.

Record-setting quarterback Brady McChesney (Montana State) will helm the offense, with favorite receivers Logan Jones (Montana State) and Devin Cochran (Montana-Western) lined out wide and tackle Harrison Kauffman (Lehigh) on the offensive line.

On defense, Andrew Harris (Montana) mans the line, state defensive MVP Josh Hill (Montana State) is at linebacker and Tucker Rauthe (Montana Tech) and Cain Boschee (Dickinson State) are in the defensive backfield.

“Really you have somebody at every single position just to help those other kids and help the coaches from around the state that are learning the system as well,” Bennett said.

“The kids are doing great with that. I’ve really appreciated their attitude about it all.”

The Montana team is looking to get back on the winning side of the rivalry after dropping last season’s game 25-22 in Dickinson. They return to Miles City where the Montana team has had a decided advantage, winning nine of 11 games played at Connors Stadium.

The team will be bolstered by a load of talent from around the state, with speed at nearly every position.

Butte’s Dalton Daum (Montana), the state 100- and 200-meter sprint champ, will add to the speed at receiver with Jones, with each able to take the top off the defense.

Cory Diaz, who averaged more than 151 rushing yards per game in his senior season at Missoula Sentinel, will lead a talented rushing corps as a change of pace to the fast-paced offense.

Montana State recruit Mitch Brott adds to a stout offensive line.

Future Bobcats litter the defense, with Butte Central’s Marcus Ferriter and Missoula Sentinel’s Byron Rollins adding to the depth of the line.

Belgrade’s Braden Konkol is at safety and Skyview’s Trevon Strong at corner in the defensive backfield.

Griz signees Colin Bingham of Missoula Big Sky and Holden Ryan of Billings Central are listed as defenders on the roster despite being slated to play offense in Missoula.

“Offensively, I really like our mix,” Bennett said.

“Between Logan Jones and Dalton Daum we have two guys that can just touch it and go the distance with their speed. We have a couple of really good possession guys that are tall and can go get the ball anywhere in traffic.

“Defensively, we have a lot of speed. Oh man, the ability to fly around and get to the ball.”

Bennett said he is excited for the game to get started. It kicks off today at 6 p.m.

“You get to the point now where I just want to watch these guys play,” Bennett said.

Whitefish High School head coach Chad Ross is an assistant with the Montana team.