How frightening it must be when Connor Thomas discovers that you are carrying the football and lowers his head. He’s 6-5, 265 pounds and remarkably agile. He will run you down.
And now, you don’t know where he’s lining up. He could be coming from anywhere.
“I’m going to play a little linebacker this year,” Thomas, a Flathead High School senior, said. “I’ve never done it before, but I’m excited. I finally get a running start at the O-line.”
Thomas is one of the Braves’ senior leaders on the gridiron this year. When he’s not moonlighting as a middle linebacker, he will play his traditional position of nose guard. On offense, he’ll anchor the line at left tackle.
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The Flathead Braves football team takes to the practice field at Legends Stadium to start a morning practice. |
Head coach Russell McCarvel is looking to his class of 19 seniors for leadership as the Braves try to improve upon last year’s 2-8 record. This season’s team, McCarvel and Thomas say, is deeper, faster and more experienced. The Braves open at home against Butte on Aug. 27, who they defeated last year.
“I think we’re going to be a lot better this year,” Thomas, a 2009 Class AA first-team all-state selection, said.
On offense, senior Mike VanArendonk will have the opportunity to truly show off his skills after a broken thumb impeded his 2009 season. VanArendonk, 6-1 and nimble, can run the option, scramble away from defenders and put the ball in the air. McCarvel said he has improved his footwork and throwing mechanics.
“We’re looking for big things out of him,” McCarvel said.
VanArendonk has some good targets to throw to, including junior George Sherwood, the backup quarterback who filled in for VanArendonk when he was hurt last season. Sherwood, who VanArendonk says is “6-5 and super quick,” will also start at defensive back.
Other top receivers include Ian Gillespie, Matt McLean, Gaige Mower, Drew Cosby and 6-3 Jeff Markavage. Senior Braxton Nimmick, at 6-4 and 215 pounds, returns as starting tight end.
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Left: Wolfpack quarterback Colter Hanson, left, scrambles with the football during an afternoon practice at Glacier High School. Right: Flathead quarterback Mike VanArendonk eyes down field during a morning football practice at Legends Field. |
McCarvel said the Braves will use a one-running back offense and “try to get the ball to our playmakers,” including Sherwood and senior Travis Ozegovich in the backfield. Last year, Ozegovich ran for a team-high 665 yards and five touchdowns. Those same playmakers will have important roles on defense as well.
“The kids are working hard on the little things that make you better,” McCarvel said. “I’m a big believer that the little things will help you get to the big things.”
Glacier High School
Last year, in only the third year of the school’s existence, Glacier finished the regular season with a 7-3 record and made it to the Class AA playoffs where it lost to Billings Skyview 28-14.
Although key seniors graduated, including University of Montana recruit Shay Smithwick-Hann and running back Taylor Hart, head coach Grady Bennett says he has an eager bunch of players who have been waiting for their time to shine.
Unlike last year, when he had a core of three-year starters, Bennett doesn’t know what to fully expect from his team until the games start. In many ways, that’s exhilarating, he said.
“Definitely a lot of new guys are going to be hitting the field for the first time,” Bennett said. “It’s really going to be a matter of seeing who steps up in games. But it’s exciting – we have a lot of different possible looks we can throw at people.”
He added: “Last year we knew exactly what we had coming into the season.”
Filling the sizable shoes of Smithwick-Hann is senior Colter Hanson, while junior Karl Hellwig could take some snaps as well. Bennett expects Hanson to ably run the Wolfpack’s complicated offense, which runs a balanced attack of passing and rushing, incorporating frequent misdirection tactics and trickery. Hanson is 6-3 and athletic.
“He looks good,” Bennett said of his quarterback. “He’s had a good fall camp. He’s gained a lot of confidence. I’m excited.”
With a new quarterback and a largely new crew across the board, Bennett said he can experiment with different formations to see what works. Glacier could bounce from a five-receiver look to a two-tight end set, which has the potential to throw off defenses.
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Left: Wolfpack head football coach Grady Bennett calls plays during an afternoon practice at Glacier High School. Right: Flathead Braves head football coach Russell McCarvel organizes his players on the field at Legends Stadium during a morning football practice. |
The Wolfpack have good speed on the outside, led by Bryan Chery, a second-team all-conference selection last year. First-year football player Trey Griffith, a senior, brings additional speed to the receiver position.
Senior Brendan Hagan is establishing himself as the top running back, though fellow seniors Stormy Day and Jake Konen should get snaps as well.
Much of what Glacier is able to do offensively will depend on the line. Bennett calls the offensive line “our greenest area.” Four starters left last year. But the Wolfpack still have senior Joel Horn, who has committed to Montana State University. Horn will also play a key role on the defensive line, which Bennett said has looked good in practice.
“Joel’s back as the anchor,” Bennett said.
That same speed from the offense should translate to the defensive side of the ball, particularly in the defensive back and safety positions. And Bennett said his linebacking crew is solid, with speed and depth.
Glacier kicks off the 2010 season on Aug. 27 on the road against Billings Senior.