Page 67 - Flathead Beacon // 8.26.15

WHITEFISH BOAST THE INGREDIENTS OF A TITLE CONTENDER
WITH 16 RETURNING STARTERS, THE BULLDOGS COULD COMPETE FOR MORE THAN A CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP
O n paper, the Whitefish Bulldogs looks impressive.
In person, they’re awe- inspiring.
Fans in the north valley are preparing for an exciting fall campaign as the Bulldogs hit the field with a whopping 16 returning starters, including six all-state
athletes.
“We’re going to be very competitive this
year. I’m very excited,” sixth-year head coach Chad Ross said.
The Bulldogs start the season on the road against Havre on Aug. 29.
Judging by early practices, the Bulldogs are already in mid-season form.
Whitefish boasts two of the best all-around athletes in Montana — senior quarterback Luke May and all-state wide receiver Jed Nagler. May passed for 2,408 yards and 29 touchdowns as a junior, and also rushed for another 140 yards and five TDs. His favorite target was Nagler, a 6-foot-4, 210-pounder who caught 51 passes for 1,017 yards and 13 TDs. Both spent the summer attending high-profile football camps and attracted the attention of top colleges. It’s easy to see why: Nagler is a state champion high jumper who can run the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds. May, 6-0, 180 pounds, is a state champion javelin thrower with athleticism to boot.
The excitement doesn’t stop with those two. Senior Brian FauntLeRoy caught 28 passes for 312 yards and four touchdowns a year ago, and senior fullback Chris Park tal- lied 570 yards rushing and six touchdowns.
The boys built one of the most potent offenses last season, compiling 4,167 yards, the fourth most of any team in the state, regardless of classification.
Whitefish captured the conference title and advanced to the semifinal round of the Class A playoffs for the first time since 2002 before bowing out with an 8-3 overall record. Butte Central ended the Bulldogs season with a 37-13 victory in Whitefish. Dillon defeated
Butte Central 29-28 in the championship game.
Dillon, Billings Central, Butte Central and Havre are once again expected to be top contenders in the state, but Whitefish is also demanding respect as a top-tier team.
“They’re really focused on making their mark and continuing the tradition,” Ross said of the Bulldogs. “No excuses — we’ve been saying that all summer.”
Ross said the team’s steady offseason training is already showing itself off in the early practices.
“This is the strongest team in the six years I’ve been here,” he said. “Everybody, from the seniors down to the freshmen, is buying in, and that’s really exciting.”
Ross knows this year’s team is surrounded by big expectations, but instead of worrying about the added pressure, he is using it as motivation.
“Everyone says, ‘You could be so good.’ Or, ‘You should be so good,’” Ross said. “I’m tell- ing the guys, well, let’s go out and see what we can do.” ■
“THIS IS THE STRONGEST TEAM IN THE SIX YEARS I’VE BEEN HERE.”
- CHAD ROSS, BULLDOGS HEAD COACH
Luke May tries to break free from Marcus Ferriter in a game against Butte Central in 2014. GREG LINDSTROM | FLATHEAD BEACON
2015 SCHEDULE
AUG. 29 SEPT. 4 SEPT. 11 SEPT. 18 SEPT.25 OCT. 2 OCT. 9 OCT. 16 OCT. 23
2 P.M. 7P.M. 7 P.M. 7P.M. 7 P.M. 7P.M. 7 P.M. 7P.M. 7P.M.
WHITEFISH BULLDOGS
AT HAVRE
DILLON
AT BROWNING STEVENSVILLE*
AT CORVALLIS POLSON
AT COLUMBIA FALLS FRENCHTOWN HAMILTON
*HOMECOMING
HEAD COACH
Chad Ross (6th season, 25-23)
2014 SEASON 8-3 overall (Northwestern A champs, advanced to Class A semifinals, lost to Butte Central 37-13)
RETURNING STANDOUTS
Luke May, Sr., QB; Jed Nagler, Sr., WR/LB; Brian FauntLeRoy, Sr., RB/DB; Chaffin Ross, Sr., DE; Logan Wynn, Sr., LB; Steven Quinby, Sr., RB
the U.S. CENSUS BUREAU HAS OPENINGS FOR YEAR ROUND,
40 Hours a month, $12.19 / Hour, & $0.575/Mile. Benefits may apply. Must be a U.S. Citizen, live in Flathead County, have drivers license, reliable vehicle, and be available to work; day, evening, and weekend hours.
To apply call 1-877-474-5226 by September 10, 2015 To be scheduled to attend a recruiting session
In Kalispell, MT on September 11, 2015
The U.S. Department of Commerce is An Equal Opportunity Employer. This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need reasonable accommodations for any part of the application process, please notify the agency. Decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis.
PART TIME INTERVIEWERS.
ANNUAL PREVENTIVE CARE MONTH
1408 Airport Road, Kalispell 755-6886 www.kalispellvet.com
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