Braves, Wolfpack open AA football with road games
Simply put, the 2017 football season for Glacier was a forgettable one.
Flathead, on the other hand, could say it was memorable, fruitful and something to build on.
It was a different tale for the two programs.
Glacier missed the AA playoffs for the first time in eight years. Its successful postseason stretch also included a state championship and advancing to the title game three times in four seasons. The Wolfpack started 0-4 last fall and finished 4-5.
“Looking back to last year, it was disappointing for everyone,” Glacier coach Grady Bennett said.
“It was not the standard we are used to. It was tough. But I think what’s good with this group is they weren’t happy with those results, worked hard in the offseason to make it right and to get back to where we want to be, expect to be.”
Flathead posted a 6-3 record and earned a trip to the playoffs for the first time in coach Kyle Samson’s fourth year with the program. Flathead, the fourth seed, lost at home to Helena Capital 24-10 in the quarterfinals.
“I think that it was kind of a building process,” Samson said of showing improvement each year.
“It was the fourth year with our staff. We had to change the culture of our team and school expectations of what the kids do on and off the field.
“It was a tough process for sure. One thing that’s very fortunate is that we have a great staff that has worked very hard and they have stayed around for four or five years. They do a tremendous job, have bought into everything we try to do here.
“We had a really good offseason,” he continued.
“I just think kids believe now and that has carried on to this year.”
The season begins for both teams tonight with road games — Glacier at two-time defending state champion Billings Senior and Flathead at Butte. Both games begin at 7 p.m. Glacier lost to Senior in last year’s season opener 37-21 while Flathead topped Butte 27-19.
“Going into the season, with the overall returning starters we have, and talent and depth, we have the potential to be a very good football team,” Samson.
Flathead
The Braves have a good nucleus of veterans back on both sides of the ball.
Returning starters on offense are: running back Blake Counts, wide receivers Anthony Jones, Kaden Wills and Logan Siblerud and lineman Max Anderson.
On defense, starters back are: cornerback Seth Moon, safeties Jaden MacNeil and Tannen Beyl and linemen Andrew Siderius, Sebastian Koch and Patrick Hammond.
“I think some guys returning have done a great job (in the offseason and during fall drills),” Samson said.
“Jaden has done a great job at QB. He was a first-team all-state safety last year. Blake Counts ran for 1,300 yards last year and he has a chance to be one of the best running backs we’ve had here. He’s a tremendous talent.”
Samson said Jones, who was a first-team all-state receiver in 2017, will also see playing time on defense.
Gunnar Landrum, a starting fullback a year ago, is now directing the defense from his middle linebacker spot.
He’s also a team captain.
“He done a good job,” Samson said of Landrum changing positions.
“He played linebacker earlier in his career.”
Samson said Tanner Russell, Mason Chapman and Gannon Welder give the Braves depth in the line.
“The strength of our team is up front on both sides of the ball,” Samson said.
“The line is doing a great job for us.
“We’re big up front,” he added.
“That’s the first time I can say that since I’ve been at Flathead. That’s not a bad problem to have.”
Flathead’s home opener is the second weekend of the season — Friday, Aug. 31 — versus Helena Capital.
Two games — versus Missoula Sentinel (Sept. 14) and Missoula Hellgate (Oct. 19) — will be played at the University of Montana’s Washington-Grizzly Stadium.
“That will be a lot of fun,” Samson said.
“For whatever reason, both times we go to Missoula both times that’s where we play. The kids are excited about that.”
Glacier
The most experience for the Wolfpack will be on the offensive side of the ball, where five starters are back: quarterback Evan Todd, slot receiver Drew Deck, left tackle Lally Garrett, center Larrison Stevens and right guard Nico Young.
The defense has two starters returning in end Ethan Baines and linebacker Cole Crosby.
“Offense will be more balanced this year,” Bennett said.
“Last year we relied on Drew Turner. He made something happen almost every play.
“(Evan) Todd has matured is every area as a quarterback. Hopefully we will throw it better, have a better balance with pass, run and a little more down field with passing game.”
Bennett is expecting running back/linebacker Preston Blain to have a “heckuva year. We have had a string of really good running backs, first-team all-state ones in Drew Turner, Thomas Trefney, Noah James and Logan Jones the last seven or eight years. Blain will surprise a lot of people, have a good year. He won’t come in with the headlines of those guys, but he’s in position to have a really good season.”
Bennett has been impressed with offensive lineman Hudson Morin.
“It is really good to see when a high school kid changes his body, works hard to be physically a better player, athlete,” he said.
“I’m proud of him.”
Bennett said defense has been a Wolfpack trademark.
“That’s something we kind of made our name on,” he said.
“Playing a certain way. We got away from that a little last year. The players recognize that.”
So look for Glacier to be “aggressive, get to the ball” this fall.
This is the 12th season for Glacier football and Bennett as head coach.
“Missing the playoffs gave us chance to audit everything about our program — offense, defense, special teams, procedures,” Bennett said.
“Take pause, look at everything, exam why we are doing this. Some of changes we made sometimes are subtle, but can make a big difference in the program.”
Glacier says on the road for the second weekend of the season — at Great Falls C.M. Russell.
The home opener is Oct. 7 with Bozeman.
“I think our schedule is brutal, but you have to play them all so what the heck,” Bennett said.
Class AA Football
2017 Final Standings
League Games
W L
Billings Senior 10 0
Missoula Big Sky 8 2
Helena High 7 2
Flathead 6 3
Helena Capital 6 4
Billings West 6 4
Missoula Sentinel 5 4
Bozeman 5 5
Glacier 4 5
C.M. Russell 4 6
Billings Skyview 3 7
Butte 2 8
Great Falls High 2 8
Missoula Hellgate 0 10
2017 Playoffs
Quarterfinals
Billings Senior 35, Bozeman 25
Missoula Sentinel 26, Missoula Big Sky 6
Helena High 42, Billings West 7
Helena Capital 24, Flathead 10
Semifinals
Billings Senior 49, Missoula Sentinel 7
Helena High 30, Helena Capital 7
Championship
Billings Senior 21, Helena High 12
Opening Weekend
Tonight
All Games 7 p.m.
Flathead at Butte
Glacier at Billings Senior
Missoula Big Sky at Billings West
Missoula Hellgate at Bozeman
Helena Capital at Great Falls High
Great Falls C.M. Russell at Helena High
Billings Skyview at Missoula Sentinel