Coaching carousel hits Northwest A football

The Northwest A coaching carousel was spinning during the offseason. 

Three new coaches take the helm for 2024, including Kelly Houle following Jaxon Schweikert with the defending State A runners up Columbia Falls. Libby and Bigfork also feature new leaders.

Houle steps into his new role after 12 years under Schweikert as the offensive line coach. 

“He has been tremendous for me, a tremendous mentor,” Houle said. “He taught me a lot about coaching, he’s a good man.” 

Houle feels that he is not taking over for Schweikert, but continuing the legacy that he made for Columbia Falls football. 

The Wildcats return nearly their entire coaching staff for 2024, with the only opening being the offensive line assistant. On the field Columbia Falls graduated six All-State honorees from a squad that dropped a heartbreaker in the state title game to Dillon 36-35 in overtime. 

The Wildcats return seniors Lane Voermans — an All-State lineman in 2023 — and all-conference honorable mention Austin Dodson. Reggie Sapa —who missed the majority of last season with a broken leg — also returns for his senior season. 

Houle noted a few exciting roster additions heading with junior Easton Brooks returning after spending his sophomore year away from the team. 

“You see a player that just pops out at you, he is a pop player,” Houle said of Brooks. 

The Wildcats also added a pair of brothers — senior Cooper Ross and sophomore Trip Ross — who moved from Colorado. 

Despite losing an experienced senior class, Columbia Falls’ goals remain the same: win the conference and be a playoff team. 

“In the last 15 years I think we have only missed the playoffs twice,” Houle said. “I don’t want to end that streak.” 

Bigfork also sees a new coach in charge ahead of the 2024 season, with Jim Benn stepping away in the offseason. Hunter Johnson fills the role as the Vikings begin their second season back in the Class A ranks. 

“They have a great winning tradition at the school, they know what it takes to win,” said Johnson, who previously was the Vikings’ defensive backs coach. “The boys were excited to get the season going, two-a-days were locked in.” 

Bigfork is coming off a playoff season, where the Vikings fell to Hamilton in the first round 34-21.  

This year’s roster features just three seniors. Henry Carlson spearheads the trio; the 6-foot-6 All-State lineman is receiving attention from colleges all over the state. 

Johnson said Carlson is the first one on the field each day and the last one off, leading the team by example, and fellow senior Trent Scherfenberg is the same.  

“The kids understand what it takes to get to their level, and they show how it is done,” Johnson said. “The goal is to make the playoffs and from there anything can happen. Of course we want to win the state championship, but if we make the playoffs we can work from there.” 

In Libby, the Loggers see Kyle Hannah step into the head coaching position after the venerable Neil Fuller retired. 

Hannah spent 17 years under Fuller, in two different stints as an assistant. “Coach Fuller is a good friend, it won’t be the same without him on the sidelines,” he said. 

The Loggers feature six seniors, and five are expected to make an impact on both sides of the ball.  

Joel Goodman returns after an all-conference second team selection at defensive end. The Loggers also feature state tennis champion Ryan Beagle as a wide receiver and defensive back. 

“We want to compete and have the goal to get better every play,” Hannah said. “We are there to play football and show some Logger Pride.” 

For Whitefish and third-year head coach Brett Bollweg there is a sense of excitement for the new season. 

The Bulldogs finished 2023 4-6 overall, but 5-1 in conference play — including a win over rival Columbia Falls — to make the playoffs.  

Bollweg notes that Whitefish has a deep roster for the season and couldn’t pinpoint just one or two difference makers on the team, but multiple players who will make a difference on the field. 

“A lot of guys doing their jobs, doing good things right now,” Bollweg said.  

The offensive line is one area where this year’s Bulldogs excel, according to Bollweg. Senior Aaron Anderson and junior JJ McKay return to bolster a line that will go up against Western A’s best. 

Five of the Bulldogs’ first six games are against Class A playoff teams from a year ago, including three of the four semifinalists: Columbia Falls, Dillon and Corvallis. The sixth team in the opening stretch is a Eureka squad that made the quarterfinals in Class B a season ago. 

“We come out of the chute and play five or six of the toughest teams in the state,” Bollweg said. “We have to take the pieces we learned on finishing games and use them this season.” 

Polson, under second-year coach Carson Oakland, finished 4-4 overall, (2-3 in Northwest A) in 2023 and are excited for the new season. 

“Our expectations increased from year 1 to 2, we are focused on us this year,” Oakland said. “Whatever else happens will pan out.” 

Polson’s roster is junior-heavy with about half of the expected starters having prior varsity experience. 

Leading the offense will be junior quarterback Holden Emerson — a second-team all-conference selection a year ago — and senior wide receiver Casen Graham. 

An experienced offensive line featuring seniors Astin Brown and Garrett Wilmer will be tasked with protecting Emerson. Oakland is also excited about the addition of Shaedon Perry, a junior running back who moved to town from Arizona. 

The Ronan Chiefs look to improve off last season’s 4-5 overall record. Matt Detwiler, the longest tenured coach in Northwest A (he was hired in 2016), will rely on a pair of all-conference selections: Junior quarterback Kolby Finley and senior linebacker Laurance Lozeau, who was All-State.  

Over in Browning, the Indians lost a talented group of seniors from last season — including Tommy Running Rabbit who moved on to play for Bobby Hauck in Missoula.  

Browning also graduated Isaiah Running Rabbit — Tommy’s older brother — and Maurice Redhorn III. 

The Indians do return junior running back Tahj Wells, who earned all-conference second team honors a year ago. Wells averaged 125 rushing yards per game in 2023 and found the end zone 11 times.