Page 69 - Flathead Beacon // 2.19.14

FLATHEADBEACON.COM
SPORTS FEBRUARY 19, 2014 | 69

EPPERLY

Continued from back page

When you grow up in the Epperly
family, there’s no shortage of input or
advice about sports.
“It’s more like what haven’t they told
me,” Evan Epperly says, smiling along-

side his grandfather, Bill, and father,
Jimmy.
Not many families have an all-
around sports pedigree quite like the
Epperlys. The lineage of athletic family
members is rooted in Bill, a Butte native
who played sports growing up and began

coaching in 1959. Bill and his wife Kay’s
kids — Jef, Jimmy, Joan and Julie — all
were involved in sports from day one.
Today the Epperly clan is a bona ide all-
star roster of generations of athletes in
various sports.
“From the very beginning, all the
kids were in activities, since the time
LEFT: Glacier’s Evan Epperly (20) runs past Bozeman’s Wyatt David (26). RIGHT: Epperly reacts to hitting a 3-pointer during the second half of a basketball
they were little ruggies,” Bill says, “and game against Flathead.
it just carried over to Evan.”
LIDO VIZZUTTI | FLATHEAD BEACON
No doubt, the son of Jimmy and
Heather has made a name for himself and Montana State Bobcats.
even among a talented group like the “THERE WERE DIFFERENT PEOPLE FROM THE FAMILY PULLING “Evan packs a punch. He’s a good
Epperlys.
tackler. He’s physical and he’s smart,”
The senior at Glacier High School is ME IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS BUT THE MAIN THEME WAS THEY says Griz head coach Mick Delaney. “He

approaching the end of a irst-rate prep ALL WANTED ME TO DO WHAT WAS BEST FOR ME AND WHAT I proved that on both sides of the ball.”
career that has transcended into three FELT WAS RIGHT.” Growing up in Bigfork, Evan devel-
sports. Two weeks ago he decided where Evan Epperly
oped a passion for all sports at the en-
his talents will go from here, and which couragement of his family.
talents those will be. He signed a letter of “There’s so many people who have
intent to play football at the University had a hand in him being who he is today,” ing scorer and is captaining the team’s Western AA Ofensive MVP. After play-
of Montana.
Jimmy says.
charge toward the state tournament. ing only cornerback in previous years,
It was a tough call leading up to that “His mother and I are just very Last week he scored 25 points on 11-of- he took on wide receiver duties this fall

day. The Grizzlies’ rival, Montana State, thankful to the Glacier community 19 shooting and led Glacier past Mis- and caught 55 passes for 1,126 yards and
had recruited him heavily. His aunt Ju- and coaches, teachers and his friends. soula Big Sky, 81-63. His season average 14 TDs, both team highs. He also ran the
lie played for the Lady Griz but his uncle They’ve all done a good job of taking is roughly 17 points per game, in the top ball 16 times for 124 yards and two TDs.
Jef was a standout basketball player for care of him, supporting him and making 10 in the state. He leads the state with On defense, he had a team-high ive in-
the Bobcats, so the allegiance was split sure he’s safe and happy.”
nearly six assists per game.
terceptions, and tallied 51 tackles. As if
in the family.
When it came down to it, Evan found Glacier is sitting in fourth place in he wasn’t busy enough already, he re-
“There were diferent people from inspiration and motivation all around Western AA at 8-8 overall and 4-4 in turned kicks and punts, piling up an-
the family pulling me in diferent di- conference.
him, and strived to keep up his family’s other 600 yards. He received a nod for
rections but the main theme was they proud tradition.
“Growing up I always thought it the Montana Shrine Game, the state’s de
all wanted me to do what was best for “I just want to be the best I can be would be hoops. That was my sport. I facto all-state event for seniors.
me and what I felt was right,” he says. and play at the highest level possible. If spent a lot of time playing basketball,” “I don’t know if there’s a player that
“I knew they all supported me whatever you want to do that you have to put in the he says.
I can remember that was irst-team all-
my decision was.”
work. Being good is not the easiest thing But then he realized his body may be state in three positions,” says his grand-
Before this year, Evan may have in the world,” he says.
better suited for football. His senior sea- father, who watched every play of Evan’s
seemed destined to be a college basket- And sitting next to his grandfather son proved him right.
along with Kay and other members of

ball player. After all, he earned a rare and father, he adds, “I’ve learned every- As a captain on the state runner-up the Epperly cheering section this sea-
starting spot on the Glacier varsity team thing I know about sports from these football team, he turned in one of the son.
as a freshman and has been a standout guys.”
greatest seasons in recent history, gar- While Evan was leading Glacier to
since.
[email protected]
nering three irst-team all-state selec- the state championship game, he caught
This winter he’s the Wolfpack’s lead-
tions from coaches and being named the
the attention of the Montana Grizzlies

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