Page 65 - Flathead Beacon // 8.26.15

SPORTS
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW
BIGFORK LOOKS TO RELOAD AS PLAYOFF CONTENDER
VIKINGS SEEKING SEVENTH-STRAIGHT DISTRICT TITLE AMONG STIFF COMPETITION
T he addition of Libby to Dis- trict 7B means the six-time defending champion Bigfork Vikings have a new team to
ward off.
Head coach Todd Emslie is eager to see
who will step up and help Bigfork defend its standing atop the conference.
“We’re young. We graduated some really good seniors last year. But everybody goes through that,” Emslie said. “It’s always fun to see who those guys will be who make a name for themselves.”
Bigfork starts the season one week earlier than usual, Aug. 28 at home against Flor- ence in a nonconference matchup.
Last season was another banner year for the Vikings, who went 9-1 and advanced to the Class B state semifinals. Huntley Proj- ect eliminated Bigfork 27-6 before narrowly losing to Townsend in the championship, 14-7.
This fall, District 7B saw Libby move from the Northwestern A, while Plains dropped to Class C. Each team appears poised to compete for the playoffs, espe- cially Troy, which boasts the talented Sean Opland.
Emslie said this appears to be most tal- ented the conference has been in his time at Bigfork.
“It’s very competitive. We’ve just set goals of being competitive, too,” he said. “That’s always the No. 1 goal. And you try to win the district, which we’ve done the last six years. There’s a lot of teams that will want to change that.”
A few familiar faces have moved on, including all-state quarterback Josh San- dry. But there is talent in the wings, such as senior Jonathan Landon, who will be lead- ing the offense under center this fall.
Landon, a standout multi-sport athlete who was backup a year ago, appears to be a solid replacement for Sandry.
“I’ve had the privilege of coaching a lot
of good quarterbacks down here in Bigfork. Jonny is right up there with the best of all of them in terms of pure passing,” Emslie said.
Matt Farrier could make a name for him- self at running back, Emslie said. Adam Jordt has been a consistent threat at wide receiver for the past two seasons, and will help Landon lead the offense. Grant Oze- govich, a senior lineman, is the team’s lone returning all-state player.
Across the state, Townsend appears to be ready to defend its title. Huntley Project is also one of the top teams, along with Fair- field and Missoula Loyola.
But for now, Bigfork is focusing on bat- tling in the Western conference. Eureka is on the rise, Thompson Falls features a tal- ented lineup and Libby and Troy are sure to compete with the best.
“It should really be fun to watch how it plays out in our district,” Emslie said. ■
“WE’RE YOUNG. WE GRADUATED SOME REALLY GOOD SENIORS LAST YEAR. BUT EVERYBODY GOES THROUGH THAT. IT’S ALWAYS FUN TO SEE WHO WILL BE THE NEXT KIDS WHO MAKE A NAME FOR THEMSELVES.”
- TODD EMSLIE, VIKINGS HEAD COACH
Jonathan Landon breaks away from Collin Holman in a game against Malta in 2014.
GREG LINDSTROM | FLATHEAD BEACON
2015 SCHEDULE
BIGFORK
AUG. 28 SEPT.4 SEPT.11 SEPT.18 SEPT.25 OCT. 9 OCT. 16 OCT. 23
VIKINGS
7 P.M. 7 P.M. 7 P.M. 7P.M. 7 P.M. 7 P.M. 7P.M. 7 P.M.
FLORENCE
AT RONAN
AT CONRAD MISSION*
AT THOMPSON FALLS AT LIBBY
EUREKA TROY
*HOMECOMING
HEAD COACH
Todd Emslie (7th season, 49-13)
2014 SEASON
9-1 overall (Won District 7B, Advanced to Class B semifinals, lost to Huntley Project 27-6)
RETURNING STANDOUTS
Jon Landon, Sr., QB; Adam Jordt, Sr., WR; Russell Goeden, Sr., C; Grant Ozegovich, Sr., OL/DL; Austin Pacheco, Sr., OL/DL
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AUGUST 26, 2015 // FLATHEADBEACON.COM
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