Page 73 - Flathead Beacon // 8.20.14

FLATHEADBEACON.COM
FLATHEAD COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW
AUGUST 20, 2014 | 73
Wolfpack Look to Take Final Step
TALENTED VETERAN SQUAD AT GLACIER STRIVES TO BUILD ON LAST YEAR’S SUCCESS AND CLAIM THE TITLE
T he Glacier Wolfpack played the role of underdogs for years.
Not anymore. The Wolfpack have developed into perennial contenders, having advanced to
the Class AA playoffs each of the last five sea- sons. Last fall, when only a handful of start- ers were back, Glacier defied expectations and rolled into the state championship game.
This latest squad features eight returning starters on offense and five on defense, while Bozeman, the powerhouse that dropped Gla- cier in the championship game, has graduated most of its stars.
In other words, the throne appears up for grabs.
“Last year we got to prove everybody wrong. This year the challenge will be differ- ent,” said head coach Grady
Bennett.
“This year, let’s say we are the top-rated team, you don’t get to be in that position very often. But we don’t want to change our mentality, as far as being hungry and continuing to strive to get better every day. We just want to keep doing what we’re doing.”
The team is back on the field this week in prepara- tion for the season kickoff against Billings West. The Wolfpack travel to Billings Aug. 29.
Bozeman, Helena and Great Falls C.M. Russell are all expected to vie for the top spots in the standings along with Glacier. But the Wolfpack appear to be the top contender thanks to a solid core of experienced play- ers returning from last season’s historic 11-2 team.
Senior quarterback Brady McChesney is back for his second year as the starter. A year ago, he passed for 2,691 yards and 33 touch- downs, averaging 269 yards per game. He completed 60 percent of his passes and was the second most prolific offensive player in the state.
One of his favorite targets also returns: Logan Jones, a first-team all state wide receiv- er who piled up a total of 1,433 yards and 12 TDs as a junior. Jones is one of the most explo- sive players in Montana, and will also provide the Wolfpack a scoring threat on every kickoff and punt return.
Other high-quality receivers — Devin Co- chran and Sam McCamley — are back and should turn Glacier’s offense into a scoring machine.
“The guys are really good about under- standing that we don’t want to talk about the end result. It’s all about the journey, it’s not just the end. Every day is special. We want to focus on winning the next play and that will start with practice on day one,” Bennett said. “If we become the best team we can be, we will
have a good chance.”
The defense has a few
more holes to fill. Last year’s squad was the third best in the state in terms of stifling opponents’ scor- ing. Glacier limited oppos- ing teams to an average of 16.2 points per game. The team’s scoring offense av- eraged 41.2 ppg.
Also, Glacier will be implementing a new style of tackling this fall. While attending a University of Washington camp, Ben- nett and his coaching staff learned about a new tack-
ling progression that follows the mentality of rugby players and even wrestlers, tackling a player’s legs instead of the head or shoulders. The goal behind the change is to reduce head injuries, primarily concussions. But as Ben- nett says, it’s also more effective.
“I’m excited about it,” he said. “It’s a big change for us.”
ABOVE: Glacier quarterback Brady McChesney looks for a receiver during the Wolfpack’s 52-7 win over Great Falls C.M. Russell last season. GREG LINDSTROM | FLATHEAD BEACON
Providing peace of mind for your family, home and business for 40 years.
HEAD COACH
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2013 SEASON
2014 SCHEDULE
AUG. 29 SEPT. 5 SEPT. 12 SEPT. 19 SEPT. 26 OCT. 3 OCT. 10 OCT. 17 OCT. 24 OCT. 31
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*HOMECOMING
11-2 overall (lost in Class AA state championship game to Bozeman, 27-12)
RETURNING
STANDOUTS
Brady McChesney, Sr., QB; Logan Jones, Sr., RB/KR; Sam McCamley, Sr., WR; Devin Cochran, Sr., WR; Tucker Rauthe, Sr., RB/DB; Hunter Kauffman, Sr., OL
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