Page 68 - Flathead Beacon // 8.26.15

SPORTS
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW
EXCITEMENT SWIRLING AROUND TALENTED BRAVES
WITH 11 RETURNING STARTERS, FLATHEAD EAGER TO RISE IN THE CONFERENCE STANDINGS
A
year later, Kyle Samson sees significant progress with the Flathead Braves. Offseason workouts were crowded with motivated players and the
experience we have coming back,” he said. Last year the Braves enjoyed a rousing start, defeating Helena Capital for the first time in 11 years and going 2-1 in the first three games. But Flathead’s offense strug- gled from there, finishing the season with only 15.6 points per game on average, third lowest in the state. The defense held oppo- nents to 28.5 ppg. The team’s record ended
at3-7.
This fall the Braves will need to play
their best right away. After taking on CMR, Flathead travels to Helena in week two. Helena and CMR are two of the top con- tenders again this season.
“This team really has a lot of good tal- ent. But what I like most is that they’re buying into being a team and doing this together,” Samson said. “As a coach, that makes me very proud.” ■
“WE ALWAYS TELL OUR GUYS, TO BE THE BEST, WE’VE GOT TO BEAT THE BEST. THIS TEAM IS READY TO ACCEPT ANY CHALLENGE IN FRONT OF THEM.”
- KYLE SAMSON, BRAVES HEAD COACH
first practices were booming with excite- ment. Samson is eager to see the program take the next step.
“I’ve gotten great support from the school and the town, and it’s just been a great move for me and my family,” the sec- ond-year Braves head coach said. “And these kids have been working their tails off. They have really bought into our sys- tem and the bar is raised for our program.”
The Braves kick off the season with a tough test in Great Falls against last year’s state runner-up C.M. Rustlers on Aug. 28.
Samson and the Braves are ready to accept the challenge.
“We always tell our guys, to be the best, we’ve got to beat the best. This team is ready to accept any challenge in front of them,” Samson said.
With 11 returning starters, Samson has good reason to believe in the Braves.
Senior running back Josh McCracken is back as one of the best in the state. A year ago, he tallied 1,293 all-purpose yards, sixth most in Montana.
Junior Bridger Johnson will be taking over duties at quarterback, and based on offseason performances, he is looking like a top talent in Class AA.
“He’s had a great offseason and I’m looking forward to seeing some big things from him,” Samson said.
The Braves showed their true talent this summer by winning the University of Idaho summer camp, which featured teams from across Washington, Idaho and Ore- gon, as well as the Bozeman Hawks.
“Our kids are understanding the offense and defense and what we’re trying to do. And the biggest thing is how much
2015 SCHEDULE
The Braves take the field.
GREG LINDSTROM FLATHEAD BEACON
AUG. 28 SEPT.4 SEPT.11 SEPT.18 SEPT.25 OCT. 2 OCT. 9 OCT. 16 OCT. 23 OCT. 30
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7 P.M.
7 P.M.
7 P.M. 7:30 P.M. 7 P.M.
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FLATHEAD BRAVES
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AUGUST 26, 2015 // FLATHEADBEACON.COM
HEAD COACH
Kyle Samson (2nd season, 3-7)
2014 SEASON
3-7 overall
RETURNING STANDOUTS
Josh McCracken, Sr., RB; Payton Boyce, Sr., RB/LB; Jacob Ridgeway, Sr., LB; Logan Wilson, Sr., LB; Cody Howe, Sr., DL