Bulldogs kick off with Glacier

By Pat Ryan - 08/29/2008

Butte High's football team will learn a lot about itself Friday night, as the 2008 season opens at Bulldog Memorial with a 7 p.m. kickoff.

The Bulldogs, under first-year head coach Arie Grey, open against Kalispell Glacier. That could be a blessing, considering the Wolfpack have only been in existence for a year.

On the other hand, it could also be a serious test for Butte, as Glacier — which had no seniors last year — returns starters at every position. The Wolfpack have 20 seniors on its roster, along with 33 juniors.

"Twenty-two returning starters would be a nice feeling, wouldn't it?" Grey said with a smile Thursday. "They've got a year in and they've improved. All their players have varsity games under their belt, which is a big advantage for them."

Grey is fully aware of the talent available at Glacier, as he was an assistant coach under Wolfpack head coach Grady Bennett last season.

Coming into the season with a new head coach and the remnants of a team that finished 2-8 last season, the Bulldogs have not been predicted to fare well.

"We just need to focus on ourselves," Grey said. "We can't control anything but what we do on the field."

The Bulldogs took heavy losses to graduation, but return the bulk of their varsity starters in the trenches. That should be helpful to junior Skyler Criscuolo, who will get the starting nod at quarterback. Grey said he would likely get sophomore signal caller Matt Berg in for a few series as well, mainly to ensure that the Bulldogs have a backup with some experience.

Taking the ball out of the backfield will be senior Mike Ueland, who had a promising start last season, but sat out much of the 2007 campaign with an injured ankle. Ueland looked sharp at the Purple-White scrimmage last Friday, and will be a force, not only at running back, but as a receiver as well.

"Our goal is to continue to bring Mike along," Grey said. "He's a big part of our offense. He's got a great attitude and I'm excited to see him play."

Also getting carries out of the backfield will be seniors James Richards and Zach Fellows, who will also start at linebacker on defense.

Criscuolo and Berg have a number of able targets for an aerial attack, led by seniors Levi Lovshin and Andrew Hawe. Both receivers also start in the defensive backfield.

Also running routes will be junior A.J. Leyba, along with Keaton Lappin at tight end. The Bulldogs will be missing Brandon Barnett and Nick Dodge due to injuries, but they have increased their depth at the receiver position with 6-foot-6, 195-pound freshman Cody Carriger.

As the first freshman to suit up for varsity in quite some time, the youngster showed he can run and catch in an outstanding showing at last week's scrimmage.

Butte returns three starters from last year's offensive line, led by 6-3, 230-pound senior tackle Mike Waldman, who is also slated to see action at defensive end. Senior Riley Masters is back at Guard, as is junior Bryce Ruffier. Junior Zach Gleason gets the start at the other tackle, while junior Colton Fisher will snap the ball.

The defensive front is anchored by junior Mack Ferko and 280-pound senior J.P. Fournier, who had a good showing at the scrimmage. Starting at defensive end is senior Marko Weitzel and 230-pound junior Cole Tripp.

Jared Buckley, who saw a good deal of playing time last season on the offensive and defensive lines, will direct the defense from his new middle linebacker position. The senior will be flanked by classmates Fellows and Blake Cohlhepp.

Lovshin and junior Cody Kelly will man the defensive corners, while Hawe and Zach Bolton are the safeties.

The Bulldogs will have their hands full with 6-4 Glacier quarterback Shay Smithwick-Hann, who has an accurate arm and a stable of speedy receivers. They include Connor Fuller and Taylor Graham.

The Wolfpack offensive front has a noticeable advantage in size, as the starting five average nearly 270 pounds.

"We need to control the line of scrimmage," Grey said. "You hear it all the time, but if we can do that we'll have success."

Another key, Grey said, lies in how the Bulldogs manage adversity.

"We need to be disciplined and play hard," he said. "I'm happy with how they've come along so far. The kids have responded well, and we're always continuing to improve.

"I'm not completely happy with where we are, but then neither are the kids and that's nice to see. They're working hard to get there."

Grey said he was "proud, honored and lucky" to be alongside his team.

"It's not me; they're doing all the hard work," Grey smiled.

Elsewhere in the Class AA ranks, coaches predicted that Helena High would finish on top of the heap, but the voting put Billings West in a very close second place.

The Bengals return 14 starters from their team that reached the state semifinals last season, while West continues to reload from a deep pool of talent, size and speed.

Defending state champion Helena Capital lost the offensive and defensive league MVPs in Jared Hunt and Brian Bignell, along with a host of starters from last year's team, and was picked to finish third, while Great Falls Russell, which came on strong late last year, was selected by the coaches to finish fourth.

Rounding out the top of the poll are Great Falls, Flathead and Bozeman.

Helena High head coach Tony Arntson, in his 14th year at the head of the Bengals, has one of the best squads in the state. Helena returns quarterback Matt Upham along with a host of other senior starters. The Bengals have yet to win a state title under Arntson's lead, but this could be the year.

As usual, Billings West has plenty of players vying for starting positions. What is unusual is the amount of speed the Bears bring to the game. Led by fleet-footed receiver Josh Pelczar and athletic quarterback Jase Muri, West's offense could be tough to catch.

Coach Paul Klaboe, sporting a 163-70 record in his tenure at West, said nearly every skill position player competing for a starting spot was a point earner for the Bears at last year's state track meet.

The Capital Bruins will be strong on defense, as usual, with six starters returning to the lineup. Calling signals will be senior Matt Reyant, who saw plenty of playing time last season in a number of Bruin blowouts. He'll be behind a big offensive line led by 6-4, 270-pound Louie Blood, and throwing to junior standout Matt Miller, who was first team All-State on both sides of the ball as a sophomore.

C.M. Russell returns eight starters to a potent offense, led by senior quarterback Dan Olinger, who was a first-team All-State tight end last season. The Rustlers bring back only two starters on defense, but have plenty of senior leadership to carry the weight.

The Bison of Great Falls took a hit with the graduation of quarterback Andrew Hafliger, but they look to a strong class coming up from the JV ranks, where they posted a successful run last season.

Flathead brings back seven offensive starters, led by 6-8, 235-pound senior quarterback Brock Osweiler, who has committed to play at Arizona State next year. He's got a solid, experienced offensive front and some good assistance in the skill positions. The Braves' defense had more holes to fill, and that will likely make the difference this season for Flathead.

Bozeman lost plenty on both sides of the ball, and will look to an inexperienced offense for production this season.

After a few down years, Billings Skyview may be poised to make a playoff run with a fairly experienced lineup (19 returning letter winners) that looks to sophomore Connor Lebsock at quarterback. The Falcons will rely on their trusty wing-T offense, but might surprise teams with a few more passes.

Big Sky will need to recover from the loss of running back Beau Donaldson and linebacker Justin Montelius, but veteran head coach Gary Ekegren has 20 letter winners back in camp and will give the Eagles another shot at the playoffs.

Billings Senior, last year's runner up in the championship game, was picked to finish 10th, as the Broncs return only three starters. Six of the projected starters from the 2008 squad are from the sophomore class, and coach Mark Sulser is looking at a rebuilding season after graduating 36 players.

Missoula Sentinel coach Pete Joseph has been working hard to turn the Spartan program around, but is faced with low numbers. He'll try for quality over quantity in looking for a few wins this season.

Hellgate is coming off a 1-9 season, and hoping to improve with an athletic group of running backs and receivers.

The first week of Class AA play has Glacier visiting Butte, Missoula Sentinel at Billings West, Billings Skyview at Missoula Hellgate, Billings Senior at Helena High, Helena Capital at Bozeman, Missoula Big Sky at Great Falls and Great Falls Russell at Kalispell Flathead.

2008 Butte High Football

August — 29, vs. Kalispell Glacier, 7 p.m..

September — 5, at Missoula Sentinel, 7 p.m. 12, vs. Billings West (Little Guy Football night), 7 p.m. 19, at Kalispell Flathead, 7 p.m. 26, at Helena High, 7 p.m.

October — 3, vs. Missoula Big Sky (Homecoming), 7 p.m. 10, vs. Billings Skyview (Silver B's), 7 p.m. 17, vs. Bozeman (Parents Night), 7 p.m. 24, at Helena Capital, 7 p.m.

November — 1, at Billings Senior, 4 p.m.

Friday's probable lineups

Kalispell Glacier

Offense

QB — Shay Smithwick-Hann, 6-4, 205 jr.

RB — Wiley Fusaro, 5-5, 147 jr.

FB — B.J. Corpron, 5-10, 180 jr.

WR — Matt Cope, 5-10, 155 jr.

WR — Taylor Graham, 6-1, 175 sr.

SB — Connor Fuller, 5-10, 180 jr.

TE — Kyle Montini, 6-1, 170 jr.

T — Max Echelard, 6-5, 300 sr.

T — Dan Gilbert, 6-1, 290 jr.

G — Matt Russell, 6-1, 225 jr.

G — Kieran Hagan, 6-1, 300 jr.

C — John Frandsen, 6-0, 223 sr.

Defense

NG — Tim Dick, 5-10, 190 sr.

DT — Alfonso Lopez, 6-0, 239 jr.

DE — Jerel Jeffries, 6-3, 210 sr.

DE — Jake Criner, 6-0, 205 jr.

OLB — Alec Tuman, 5-7, 146 jr.

MLB — Garrett Conners, 6-1, 205 jr.

OLB — Pat King, 6-0, 180 sr.

CB — Kramer Wilson, 5-11, 160 sr.

CB — Taylor Graham, 6-1, 175 sr.

SS — Connor Fuller, 5-10, 180 jr.

FS — Logan Quay, 6-2, 150 jr.

Butte High

Offense

QB — Skyler Criscuolo, 5-8, 170 jr.

RB — Mike Ueland, 5-10, 185 sr.

WR — A.J. Leyba, 6-0, 150 jr.

WR — Levi Lovshin, 5-9, 145 sr.

WR — Andrew Hawe, 5-7 150 sr.

TE — Keaton Lappin, 6-1, 200 jr.

T — Mike Waldman, 6-3, 230 sr.

T — Zach Gleason, 5-10, 205 jr.

G — Riley Masters, 6-0, 200 sr.

G — Bryce Ruffier, 5-11, 210 jr.

C — Colton Fisher, 5-10, 210 jr.

Defense

DT — Mack Ferko, 6-2, 230 jr.

DT — J.P. Fournier, 6-0, 280 sr.

DE — Marko Weitzel, 6-0, 190 sr.

DE — Cole Tripp, 6-0, 230 jr.

OLB — Blake Cohlhepp, 6-0, 185 sr.

MLB — Jared Buckley, 6-0, 205 sr.

OLB — Zach Fellows, 5-8, 185 sr.

CB — Levi Lovshin, 5-9, 145 sr.

CB — Cody Kelly, 5-10, 150 jr.

SS — Zach Bolton, 6-0, 160 jr.

FS — Andrew Hawe, 5-7, 150 sr.

Class AA preseason coaches poll

1. Helena High (6)

2. Billings West (3)

3. Helena Capital (2)

4. Great Falls Russell

5. Great Falls High

6. Kalispell Flathead

7. Bozeman

8. (tie) Billings Skyview

8. Missoula Big Sky

10. Billings Senior

11. Missoula Sentinel

12. Butte

13. Kalispell Glacier

14. Missoula Hellgate