George Sherwood (Sr., Flathead) POSITION: Wide Receiver/Punter HT/WT: 6’4’’, 200 Pounds
Rarely a day goes by that Sherwood isn’t playing a sport, and competing successfully. The two-time Class AA all-state wide receiver and all-state punter helped the Braves make the playoffs for the first time since 2008. He had 715 yards receiving and eight TDs and holds the single-season school record of 15 TDs set last year. Also an all-state basketball player, Sherwood is undecided about college next year but would like to keep playing football.
Sherwood on playing a sport every season throughout high school: “My brother (Adam) always played sports and I enjoyed watching him. I’ve been around sports ever since I was little.”
Cody Dopps (Sr., Bigfork) POSITION: Running Back HT/WT: 6’1’’, 185 Pounds
How do you successfully follow an all-state senior who had the game-winning TD in the state championship? Ask Dopps. The senior replaced one of Bigfork’s all-time greats, Travis Knoll, as the go-to Viking this season and finished with 2,025 all-purpose yards and 25 TDs, earning Class B all-state honors. Dopps led a 20-point comeback in the second half of a playoff game against Florence, rushing 45 times for 286 yards and four TDs.
Dopps on rushing the ball 45 times in a 20-point playoff comeback: “Coach said we were going to run on them and that’s what we did. I was pretty tired after that game. Definitely pushed my body over the edge.”
Austin Barth (Sr., Columbia Falls) POSITION: Linebacker/Quarterback HT/WT: 6’6’’, 220 Pounds
Before the season started, Barth already had a college football scholarship locked up at Montana State University, yet he still finished with 1,153 passing yards and nine TDs and earned Class A all-state honors at linebacker for the second year in a row. Barth is also an all-state basketball player garnering early statewide attention as the Wildcats try to defend their state championship.
Barth on moving on to play college football: “You just watch those teams play on TV growing up and you want to be a part of it. It’s pretty awesome that I’m going to.”
Luke Halliburton (Sr., Glacier) POSITION: Defensive Line HT/WT: 6’0’’, 215 Pounds
Glacier has built a successful tradition in a short time, and it’s no coincidence the program has a history of strong linemen. Halliburton was a Class AA first team all-state defensive lineman and was named the team’s de facto MVP after the most successful Wolfpack season to date. He was one of the team’s co-captains, earned the Alpha Dog and Wolf awards and leads the school’s leadership program. He’s undecided on where to play college football next year.
Halliburton on being a leader: “I like to try and show younger kids by example how hard work definitely pays off and to be relentless, even through difficult times.”
Christopher Forrest (Sr., Whitefish) POSITION: Quarterback/Wide Receiver/Running Back HT/WT: 5’11’’, 185 Pounds
There were very few offensive plays that Forrest wasn’t involved in during this turnaround season for the Bulldogs. Forrest had 504 yards rushing, 473 yards receiving, 1,235 yards passing and 21 total TDs. The Class A all-state honoree, who also plays basketball and track, helped the Bulldogs make the Class A football playoffs for the first time in three years and hopes to keep playing next year in college.
Forrest on Whitefish’s football team regaining success: “They’re creating a really good program. I think that’s going to be a real fun team to watch in the next few years.”
Kwyn Johnson (Jr., Flathead)
At 6-2, Johnson is an imposing figure on Flathead’s front line at the net. She was one of the state leaders in kills with 120, finishing behind teammate Hannah Sackett, who had 152. Also one of the state’s top triple jumpers in track, she was selected first team Class AA all-state after being named honorable mention all-state as a sophomore.
Johnson on falling short at state: “We had the talent but we didn’t quite bring all of the elements together and we couldn’t quite get it done.”
Hannah Sackett (Sr., Flathead)
For the third straight year, Sackett was named Class AA all-state. While the talented outside hitter racked up individual accolades during her years of varsity volleyball, the ultimate goal – a team title – eluded her. This year’s team was considered a state contender but came up short in the state tournament. Nevertheless, she said she was pleased with the team’s overall performance. She is getting interest from Division I schools.
Sackett on wanting to win a state title: “When I was a junior I thought I knew how important it was to win state, but you don’t really know until you’re a senior.”
Erin Tabish (Soph., Whitefish)
After finishing 15th at the Class A state tournament as a freshman, Tabish placed third this year behind Kyla Clancy of Billings Central and champion McKenzie Webinger of Laurel. Tabish shot 81-84-165 to finish seven strokes behind Webinger. The next closest golfer was Anaconda’s Alexandra Huber, who finished 26 strokes behind Tabish at 191. Next season, Tabish will have her eyes on the top prize.
Tabish on regaining control of her driver: “I need to just stay focused and remember how my swing was when it was working well.”
Ryan Porch (Jr., Glacier)
Porch came up just short of winning the Class AA state title for the second straight year, losing both times to Billings West’s Brandon McIver, who won his third straight state title this fall. Porch lost by only one stroke this year, shooting 73-70-143 compared to McIver’s 70-72-142. Next fall as a senior, he will try to become Glacier’s second individual champion. Larry Iverson III won consecutive titles for Glacier in 2007 and 2008.
Porch on finishing second to Brandon McIver: “Brandon’s pretty much the best golfer to ever come out of Montana, so to lose by only one stroke was pretty exciting.”
Derrick Williams (Sr., Columbia Falls)
As a sophomore, Williams placed fifth at Class A state and then second as a junior. The lanky senior finally broke through with a state title in his senior year, running a 15:30.76 to win by almost nine seconds. He holds the school cross country record for fastest time. Williams, also a two-time individual state track champion, maintains a 4.0 GPA. While he would like to run in college, academics are his first priority. He plans to study medicine.
Williams on winning his first cross country title: “It’s a great feeling. It makes all of the 98-degree days getting five to 10 miles in, all the days in the weight room, it makes all of that worthwhile.”
Makena Morley (Fr., Bigfork)
In her first year of high school cross country, Morley went undefeated and claimed the Class B state title. Her state-winning time of 17:44.32 was 14 seconds faster than the previous Class B state record and a full minute better than the second-place time of 18:44.73. On Oct. 6 in Helena, she ran a 17:05, one of the fastest times in state history in any class. And her high school career is just getting started.
Morley on battling nerves: “I’m always nervous before every race. But when the gun goes off, I’m not nervous anymore.”
Sam Donaldson (Jr., Whitefish)
In a town already seeped in soccer success over the years, Donaldson added to the local legacy in storybook style. The all-state forward broke the state scoring record with his 25th goal of the season in the Class A championship game on Oct. 29. In front of a crowd of almost 800 people, Whitefish beat Polson 3-0 and claimed its fourth state title since 2002, the most of any Class A boys program.
Donaldson on the Bulldogs’ demeanor entering the state title game: “Everyone was pretty calm. We had the crowd and the music was really loud and the Polson team just looked really terrified.”
Danielle Delventhal (L) (Jr., Columbia Falls)
McKenzie Kiser (R) (Sr., Columbia Falls)
Delventhal, a two-time Class A all-state selection, broke the state record for goals with 30 this fall. Elizabeth Pitman of Whitefish previously held the record of 28 set in 2001. Kiser, a three-time all-state selection who will play at New Mexico Highlands University next year, scored 27 goals and added 16 assists. The duo scored in every game but the final one and helped the Wildkats win the Northern A division and finish the season 11-2-1.
Delventhal on this year’s Wildkat team: “We’ve played together so long, we’re like family.”
Kiser, jokingly, on the secret to scoring 57 combined goals with Delventhal in 13 games: “It’s the shoes.”