When 19 seniors complete their Griz career in the approaching weeks, they will represent the most successful football group in school history.
But even more impressive than the number of victories these men have piled up is that more than two-thirds of the players are from Montana high schools.
And we’re not just talking about AA schools in Billings, Kalispell and Missoula. The majority of these athletes graduated from the state’s smaller towns and schools.
While linebacker Shawn Lebsock and fullback Kevin Klaboe hail from Billings – where they would be quick to point out they are not from the same high school, as Lebsock played at Skyview and Klaboe at West – receiver Tyler and his twin brother defensive end Jace Palmer are products of Missoula Big Sky, defensive tackle Austin Mullins prepped in Great Falls and safety Tim Anderson is a Loyola Sacred Heart grad, that’s the extent of the larger school influence in the group of seniors.
Tight end Dan Beaudin hails from Noxon, offensive tackle Chris Dyk from Dillon, offensive guard Terran Hillesland from Sidney, record-setting receiver Mark Mariani from Havre, defensive end George Mercer from Libby, safety Shann Schillinger from Baker and tight end Steve Pfahler from Frenchtown.
While all those schools have enjoyed their share of football success, they are by no means on the cusp of the nation’s elite high school programs.
Therein lies the question: If the Grizzlies, in 2012 when the NCAA moratorium ends, either are forced because of division restructuring or choose to move to a significantly higher level of competition, will there still be the scholarships or walk-on opportunities available for athletes from smaller Montana schools to play Griz football and will the Grizzlies compete as successfully at a higher level, say like Boise State, or on the bottom tier like the University of Idaho?
Some are quick to point out that the Lady Griz play D-1 basketball and are able to compete on a national level with a roster heavily influenced by in-state players.
And while no one, especially their former radio broadcaster, will argue with their success in Robin Selvig’s outstanding tenure, you have to go a long ways back to find when they won a game in the NCAA tournament. They have fielded outstanding teams with incredible records but the D-1 post-season is a different proposition.
It wasn’t that long ago when the Big Sky Conference featured Boise State, Nevada and Idaho, and the Montana wins came few and far between over that trio.
A league championship since the league was formed in 1963 was even rarer, with the unbeaten Camellia Bowl teams of 1969-70 and Larry Donovan’s 5-2 1982 squad that shared the title with Idaho and Montana State.
What is also noteworthy is the lack of runner-up teams, as just in 1966, 1978 and 1981 did Montana manage to grab even the second spot before Don Read’s arrival in 1986.
It’s that old argument: Do you want to be the big fish in the small bowl or the small fish in the big bowl. Like Bobby Hauck says: “winning one game is hard,” but from my standpoint it’s a heck of a lot more fun than the alternative.
Which fish do you like?