Lake County Leader Archives News Page

Northwestern A Ronan

First year head football coach Jim Benn takes over the helm of the Ronan Chiefs, bringing with him a substantial rsum of experience assisting with other football programs around the state. His first order of business will be to plug the gaps created by graduation. Although the 1-7 Chiefs had a less than memorable season, they did turn out several all conference selections. Lost to graduation were first-team fullback and honorable mention outside linebacker Nick Courville, honorable mention receiver Makenzy Kelch (now at UM Western), first team kicker Ricky Luchau, honorable mention offensive tackle Mike Crawford, second team defensive tackle Frank Swan and second team defensive end Brett Burns. The Chiefs will also be without the services of all-conference honorable mention offensive guard Bridger Wayman. As they seek to improve upon last season, the complexion of this year's team is comprised of several wrestlers from last year's successful wrestling season who know how to throw their weight around. It should also be noted that coach Benn was the MCA Boys and Girls Track & Field Coach of the Year for both Spring 2006 and Spring 2007 at his former assignment at Huntley Project. At the very least, opponents can expect the Chiefs to run more effectively as the season progresses. But also back are several senior all-conference selections at key positions. All-conference honorable mention quarterback and second team safety Mike Fisher II provides a solid core around which the Chiefs can improve upon last season, with good leadership, running and passing capability at the quarterback position. Having demonstrated his speed as a defensive back, all-conference honorable mention cornerback Jamie Engeldrum could also translate those skills into an effective threat at running back. All-conference honorable mention tight end Adam Skogen has great hands and is very quick given his size. The offensive and defensive line looks solid with seniors Jeff Krahn and Ryan Metzger, along with junior Dylan Ivans. Senior Tyson Noyes as well as juniors Cory Hardy and Cameron Neiss provide good speed and continuity at the running back and defensive back positions. Junior Westyn Kiehn brings good hands and strong blocking to tight end, and also shows great potential at linebacker, as does fellow junior Micky Cheff. Senior Marcus Schiele has been shifted to the offensive line, where his quickness and strength should pay dividends. Other members on the roster will likely see periodic playing time in varying roles as their particular skills are called for as situations require. One example would be players like Evan Waldron, whose dedication and work ethic make him a candidate who could vie for playing time at both tight end and on the defensive line as the season unfolds. Ronan holds their intersquad scrimmage this Saturday, August 30, with their first seasonal game at home against Corvallis September 5.

Northwestern A Polson

The Pirates lost four talented all-conference players from last year's 4-4 middle of the pack finish. Departed are first team offensive guard and first team defensive end Skylar Knutson, first team offensive guard and second team noseguard Anthony Golden, second team tailback and second team outside linebacker Cody Doyle and first team cornerback John Rausch. The Pirates will also have to do without the services of second team all-conference inside linebacker and kickoff return specialist Brock Picard, who has transferred to Havre. Eighth year head football coach Scott Wilson and his bevy of assistants have consequently redeployed their roster as they adjust for the new season. Several all-conference selections return to reprise their roles at crucial positions. Senior second team all-conference quarterback Craig Bagnell returns as a fourth year starter, providing the team with a steady presence and has stepped up with confidence in adapting to a greater leadership role. Back is all-conference honorable mention fullback and first team inside linebacker Tim Rausch, a junior who is not bashful about wadding into the thick of things. Also returning is senior second team all-conference receiver Ryan Kelley, providing the Pirates with a versatile threat at penetrating the defensive secondary. Complementing both of these positions is Chris Alfiero, who is catching the ball well and whose performance over the past week bodes well for continued productivity throughout the season. Although injury kept him off the gridiron last Fall, Joe Andrews is healthy and looking good at running back and linebacker . Tucker Morigeau has adjusting well upon shifting to center and defensive end, different positions from those he played last year, demonstrating a measure of versatility that many a coach wishes was more prevalent. Junior Kaden Thomas could see increasing playing time with continued improvement at noseguard as the season unfolds. The higher the caliber of contributions by each of the remaining members of the team, the greater will be the success that they experience as a whole. The Pirates open their season this Friday, August 29, against Stevensville at Stevensville.

Western 7-B St. Ignatius

First year head coach Peter Hamilton had almost twice the number of players turn out for football this Fall in comparison to last year, instilling a level of excitement on the part of both coaching staff and players for the upcoming season. The Mission Bulldogs finished 1-7 last season and return five all conference players to their roster. Senior running back and linebacker Jordan Rohrich is one of the more dominant players on the team and will make his presence known throughout the conference. Junior quarterback and defensive back Justin Evans directs the offense once again, demonstrating why he merited an all-conference selection last season. The wide receiver and linebacker positions are filled by senior Lynn Birthmark, who has good hands and quick feet, and junior Jake Durglo, who played on the offensive line last year, but has thus far shown he can catch about anything. Junior all-conference lineman Nick Dinnell also returns, and will anchor the offensive line along with seniors Ty McCullum and Joseph Hunter. There are many newcomers to draw from that will have an impact on this team, and the Bulldogs hope to surprise some of their opponents this year with the changes they have implemented. The players are all learning from each other, working hard on new offensive and defensive strategies, and anticipate they will have an enjoyable as well as competitive year.

Western C Arlee

Second year head football coach Scott Palmer has a solid core of veterans upon which to build this season. Six senior varsity lettermen return to make up the nucleus of the squad that finished 2-6 last year. Senior Wyatt O'Neill will direct the offense at quarterback and play linebacker on defense. Snapping the ball from center will be fellow senior Daylon Martin-Fink, who will also assume duties as defensive linebacker. The backfield will be split between senior halfbacks Ethan Willoughby and Jake Trujillo, the former also playing defensive end and the latter linebacker. Senior Trevor Rice will run routes at wide receiver and senior Leon Weider lines up at guard on the offensive side of the ball. Both will also play defensive end. A pair of sophomores getting their first starting assignments include fullback Damon Cordier, who will also play linebacker, and lineman Curt Siedel, who will anchor both offensive guard and defensive tackle positions. Junior offensive guard and defensive tackle Travis Christopher will see some playing time in relief of some of his fellow linemen. Two promising players include junior Trever Rubel and sophomore Bryce Norling. Arlee holds a pregame barbeque starting at 6 p.m. before their intersquad scrimmage at 8 p.m. this Friday, August 29. The first game of the season takes place at Twin Bridges on September 5.

Western C Charlo

Lost to graduation from last season is Jean Paul Toussaint, all-conference linebacker, Treasure State all-star and running back for the team. The Vikings finished the 2007 season with a 4-4 record, and head football coach Steve Love and his staff aim to improve on those marks this Fall. Senior Clay Hoyt reprises his role at quarterback. The offensive and defensive line will be anchored by seniors Matt Faroni, Latham Blevins and Josh Sharbono, along with junior Houston Blevins. Junior Jamie Peterson returns to defend the secondary, and merits being rated among the better tacklers on the team. Charlo will field a strong foursome in the backfield, a pair of juniors in Chance Firestone and Cody Nitschke, and a pair of sophomores in Chico Stipe and Shiloh Kerr. The Vikings will be much faster at running back than they have been in past seasons given that several of their positions are filled by players who placed at the divisional and state track meets this past Spring. While offensive positions tend to draw the headlines and accolades, coach Love recognizes that Viking success is contingent upon whether his linemen can prevail in the battles that take place in the trenches. They will hold their intersquad scrimmage this Friday, August 29. The first game of the season will be at Superior on Friday, September 5.

Two Eagle River

Two Eagle River will not be fielding a varsity program this year, but valley residents may be interested to know that a JV program is underway. Coach Doug Morigeau has over two dozen prospects who have tried out for the team. The season will be evaluated at the end of the Fall, but larger strides inevitably must begin with small steps.

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