FOOTBALL
Devin Jeffries & Kyle Griffith
NAME: Devin Jeffries CLASS: Senior SCHOOL: Glacier POSITION: Defensive End HT/WT: 6’2’’, 220 Pounds NAME: Kyle Griffith CLASS: Senior SCHOOL: Glacier POSITION: Wide Receiver, Kicker, Punt Returner HT/WT: 5’11’’, 175 Pounds
Glacier set a new high-water mark this season for a football program that has risen to the top of the state’s ranks. The Wolfpack became the first Kalispell team since the 1980s to earn the top seed in the playoffs. Jeffries, the Class AA defensive MVP and first team all-state defensive end, was a catalyst on the best defense in Montana. He had 99 tackles, 12.5 sacks and an interception. Griffith, a Class AA first team all-state receiver and kicker and honorable mention punt returner, fueled the high-powered offense, scoring 16 touchdowns, kicking five field goals and compiling 1,202 total yards. Griffith plans to compete at Carroll College while Jeffries is still deciding where to play next year.
Devin Jeffries:
“We came up a little short but we did great things this year.”
Kyle Griffith:
“(Earning the No. 1 seed) was a big deal. We felt like we deserved it and it was really nice to get that recognition.”
SOCCER
Curran Edland
NAME: Curran Edland CLASS: Senior SCHOOL: Whitefish
The kings of Class A soccer successfully defended their crown in mighty fashion. The flawless Bulldogs claimed their second state title in a row, beating Billings Central 4-1 to finish a perfect 15-0 season in front of a raucous home crowd. Edland, an all-state defensive center midfielder with 21 goals and eight assists, served as one of four senior co-captains with fellow all-staters Sam Donaldson, Thomas Clark and Sean Janni. This team added to the local soccer lore with a 27-game winning streak dating back to last season and outscoring opponents 92-5 in 15 games this year.
Edland on continuing the Bulldog dynasty:
“I remember watching those back-to-back state champ teams (in ’06 and ’07) … Coming into the year we knew what we wanted to do.”
MORE ALL-STATE:
Matt Peters (Sr., Glacier): Class AA Sam Donaldson (Sr., Whitefish): Class A Thomas Clark (Sr., Whitefish): Class A Sean Janni (Sr., Whitefish): Class A Nathan Boone (Sr., Whitefish): Class A Matt Killian (Sr., Bigfork): Class A
SOCCER
Danielle Delventhal
NAME: Danielle Delventhal CLASS: Senior SCHOOL: Columbia Falls
Delventhal noticed bone spurs in her right foot early in the season, but opted to battle through the pain rather than go into surgery. She managed to lead the Wildkats to another division title and a trip to the state title game, where they lost to Billings Central 6-0. She was named Class A all-state. Delventhal has accepted an offer to play soccer at Adams State University in Alamosa, Colorado.
Delventhal on her bone spurs:
“I had to determine if I wanted to get it fixed then or play out my senior season. I wanted to play so I dealt with the pain.”
MORE ALL-STATE:
Anna Deleray (Sr., Glacier): Class AA Kendall Halliburton (Jr., Glacier: Class AA Malia Ozegovich (Sr., Flathead): Class AA Megan Danczyk (Sr., Whitefish): Class A Caroline Carbo (Jr., Whitefish): Class A Madison Grady (Jr., Whitefish): Class A Kira Kamrud (Sr., Columbia Falls): Class A Meagan Seliger (Soph., Columbia Falls): Class A
CROSS COUNTRY
Makena Morley
NAME: Makena Morley CLASS: Sophomore SCHOOL: Bigfork
In her two years of high school cross country, Morley has yet to lose a race in Montana, including consecutive Class B titles and victories at the Mountain West Classic. She also ran a 16:50, one of the fastest times in state history. Yet she finds room for improvement, including her 24th place finish at the Foot Locker Cross Country National Championships. She finished ninth as a freshman. So she is already setting goals for next year: to break all-time state records, handle pressure better and, most importantly, have fun.
Morley on running slower than she hoped in some races:
“You have to have those downs. You can’t have a smooth path the whole time.”
MORE ALL-STATE:
Chelsea Olson (Sr., Bigfork): eighth Class B Samantha Mundel (Soph., Columbia Falls): 15th Class A
CROSS COUNTRY
Zach Perrin
NAME: Zach Perrin CLASS: Senior SCHOOL: Flathead
Perrin capped off his high school cross country career with a decisive Class AA state title. Then he placed eighth at the regional Foot Locker Cross Country Championships and 10th at the national championships. The talented runner has received interest from Division I schools across the country, from the SEC to the Big 12, but wants to stay in the West. Perrin has narrowed his list down to about five schools, including Oregon, Gonzaga and Colorado.
Perrin on battling tough conditions to win state:
“It was getting really difficult but something just clicked in my head. I knew I had to bring it home for Flathead and Coach J.”
MORE ALL-STATE:
Troy Fraley (Sr., Glacier): third Class AA Fischer Gangemi (Sr., Whitefish): fourth Class A Jace Kalbfleisch (Sr., Whitefish): fifth Class A Logan Morley (Fr., Bigfork): third Class B
GOLF
Logan Iverson
NAME: Logan Iverson CLASS: Senior SCHOOL: Glacier
Iverson nearly capped off his high school career with two state titles, helping guide Glacier to the Class AA team title but falling just short of an individual title. He finished third, two strokes off the lead. He has accepted an offer to golf at Colorado State University. His older brother, two-time Class AA champion Larry, is also a Division I golfer at Washington.
Iverson on choosing a different school than his brother:
“I wanted to start with a new team and get out of his shadow and start making my own footprints.”
MORE ALL-STATE:
Ryan Porch (Sr., Glacier): tied fourth Class AA Tommy Mann (Fr., Glacier): tied fourth Class AA Max Applegate (Sr., Flathead): eighth Class AA Cody Sherill (Soph., Glacier): ninth Class AA Art Doorn (Jr., Whitefish): tied second Class A Kyle Barron (Sr., Whitefish): tied 12th Class A
GOLF
Teigan Avery
NAME: Teigan Avery CLASS: Freshman SCHOOL: Glacier
After dominating her age group at summer tournaments for years, Avery finally got a chance to showcase her skills at the high school level. And she didn’t disappoint, finishing second at the Class AA tournament, two strokes off the lead. Her 74 on the first day made her the clear frontrunner but an 82 on the second day dropped her out of the lead. Only a freshman, she’ll have plenty more shots at a state title.
Avery on falling short at state:
” I think it’s a good thing. I’ll be able to learn more from failure than success.”
MORE ALL-STATE:
Hannah Davis (Sr., Glacier): tied 10th Class AA Erin Tabish (Jr., Whitefish): second Class A Simone Craft (Jr., Whitefish): 15th Class A
VOLLEYBALL
Jordan Danz
NAME: Jordan Danz CLASS: Senior SCHOOL: Stillwater Christian School
Stillwater Christian has been a powerhouse in the Montana Christian Athletic Association over the years, and Danz has been at the center of the volleyball team’s peerless success. The Cougars capped their second undefeated season in four years, winning a fourth straight title and Danz earning MVP honors. She is widely considered one of the best players in the valley, if not the state, for any school size. She and her fellow seniors ended their prep volleyball careers with a 114-3 record, including wins against Class A and B varsity squads and AA junior-varsity teams.
Danz explaining Stillwater’s unprecedented success:
“I don’t expect to lose when I go out on the court and I know my team doesn’t either.”
VOLLEYBALL
Emily Russell
NAME: Emily Russell CLASS: Senior SCHOOL: Glacier
The setter is often described as volleyball’s version of a quarterback. Given that, it’s hard to overstate the importance of Russell’s role in Flathead’s run to the state title game, where the Bravettes fell to undefeated Billings Senior. It was the Bravettes’ best finish since 2006, when they also finished second to Senior. Russell was named Class AA first team all-state after breaking the school records for both assists (1,070) and aces (92).
Russell on the closeness of this year’s team:
” It showed on the court. We were sisters.”
MORE ALL-STATE:
Cassie Krueger (Sr., Flathead): Class AA First Team Kwyn Johnson (Sr., Flathead): Class AA First Team Emma Andrews (Jr., Flathead): Class AA First Team Iris Matulevich (Jr., Flathead): Class AA First Team Cassi Hashley (Jr., Glacier): Class AA Second Team Hannah Liss (Soph., Glacier): Class AA Second Team Emily Sullivan (Soph., Whitefish): Class A Baylee Tveidt (Sr., Whitefish): Class A
FOOTBALL
Colter Trent
NAME: Colter Trent CLASS: Senior SCHOOL: Bigfork POSITION: Quarterback HT/WT: 6’6’’, 205 Pounds
After blowing out his knee twice last year, Trent returned to the football field for his senior season and led the Vikings on another remarkable run. Bigfork earned one of the top rankings in Class B during the regular season, won its fourth straight district title and advanced to the state semifinals. Trent earned all-state in his one and only season playing varsity quarterback, passing for 2,047 yards and 24 touchdowns. He sparked a comeback against Forsyth in the quarterfinals, scoring twice in the second half, including a five-yard TD run with two sizeable knee braces.
Trent on battling back from serious injury:
“It’s hard to stay focused. There’s a lot of days you wonder,‘why am I doing this?’ But it pays off.”
FOOTBALL
Zach Darling
NAME: Zach Darling CLASS: Junior SCHOOL: Columbia Falls POSITION: Fullback/Linebacker HT/WT: 5’11’’, 195 Pounds
Under a new head coach, Columbia Falls implemented a few changes on offense and defense, and Darling propelled the transition on both sides. The all-state fullback was the team’s top offensive weapon, rushing for 586 yards and 10 touchdowns. The junior also earned first team all-conference honors at middle linebacker after leading the Wildcats in tackles. With a bulk of this year’s team returning, the future appears bright in C-Town.
Darling on the future of Columbia Falls football:
“It looks really good. Since we were so young this year, everybody’s just going to get better.”
FOOTBALL
Shane Marcial
NAME: Shane Marcial CLASS: Senior SCHOOL: Whitefish POSITION: Running back/Linebacker HT/WT: 5’9’’, 155 Pounds
With the help of a veteran offensive line, Marcial maneuvered his way to 813 rushing yards, second most in Northwestern A, and eight touchdowns. The shifty running back earned Class A all-state honors and was also named second team all-conference at linebacker. Against Libby, the senior scored three times, including twice in the fourth quarter to seal Whitefish’s third victory.
Marcial on the Bulldogs’ team brotherhood:
“No matter what happened we all had each other’s backs. If anyone was down, we’d pick each other up.”
MORE ALL-STATE:
Blake Weimer (Sr., Bigfork, C/LB): 6’0’’, 200 pounds, Class B Austin Jordt (Sr., Bigfork, WR/DB/K/KR): 5’10’’, 165 pounds, Class B Josh Sather (Sr., Bigfork, OT/DT): 6’5’’, 270 pounds, Class B Chris Landon (Sr., Bigfork, WR/DB): 6’1’’, 185 pounds, Class B TJ Volkman (Sr., Columbia Falls, OG): 6’0’’, 250 pounds, Class A Logan Harwood (Sr., Whitefish, WR): 6’0’’, 155 pounds, Class A
FOOTBALL
Matt Tokarz
NAME: Matt Tokarz CLASS: Senior SCHOOL: Flathead POSITION: Quarterback/Safety HT/WT: 5’11’’, 195 Pounds
Flathead’s toilsome season ended in storybook fashion after Tokarz connected with Nick Iavicoli on a 37-yard touchdown pass with six seconds remaining in the final game. It gave the Braves their lone win, 35-29 over Missoula Hellgate. Since taking over at quarterback last season, Tokarz has been one of the most productive offensive players in the state. In 10 games this fall he ranked sixth in total offense, throwing for 1,392 yards and rushing for 795.
Tokarz on throwing the winning touchdown on the Braves’ final play of the season:
“I couldn’t have asked for a better way to end my senior year.”
MORE ALL-STATE:
Dylan Torgerson (Sr., Flathead, P): 6’2’’, 170 pounds, Class AA First Team Todd Ogden (Jr., Glacier, LB): 5’11’’, 180 pounds, Class AA First Team Reid Siderius (Sr., Glacier, CB/FS): 6’3’’, 175 pounds, Class AA First Team Logan Jones (Soph., Glacier, KR): 5’7’’, 165 pounds, Class AA First Team Rial Gunlikson (Sr., Glacier, FS): 6’0’’, 190 pounds, Class AA First Team Danny Roe (Sr., Glacier, OL): 5’11’’, 220 pounds, Class AA Second Team Zach Dennehy (Jr., Glacier, OT): 6’3’’, 240 pounds, Class AA Second Team Brendan Windauer (Jr., Glacier, DT): 6’4’’, 205 pounds, Class AA Second Team Evan Epperly (Jr., Glacier, CB): 5’9’’, 165 pounds, Class AA Second Team Gage Marcum (Sr., Flathead, OT): 6’3’’, 280 pounds, Class AA Second Team