By J.P. Plutt
Dillon Tribune staff
The Dillon Beaver football team will continue on its path as an elite Class "A" program this fall. Under the guidance of head coach Terry Thomas and with a group of assistant coaches that has added a consistent element of excellence in all areas of the program the Beavers embark on yet another journey in pursuit of a state championship this Friday when they visit the Livingston Rangers in a non-conference contest.
During the 23-year Thomas tenure as mentor of the blue and gold, the Beavers have posted a 154-59 record. Beginning in 2000 the Thomas machine has found high gear winning state titles in 2000, 2003, 2005 and 2006. The Beavers were state runner-up in 2007 and semifinalists a year ago.
Livingston on the other end has struggled to win even a single game each season over that stretch of time and enters the 2009 season with yet another new head coach. It is not a question of whether the Beavers will win the season opener for both teams, but how soon Dillon's reserves will begin to flood the field.
Each season brings a team of unique character to the field for Dillon and this year's version features size in the line on both sides of the ball that Beaver fans have rarely enjoyed watching. Dillon's program lists 11 players over 200 pounds and four of those players tip the scales at 250 pounds or more.
"Up front, both offensively and defensively, we're probably as big as we've been," said Thomas. "The kids have worked very hard on their speed because size without speed doesn't mean much. They've done an excellent job in the weight room on their leg and hip strength."
The Beavers will line up in the shotgun in four wide receiver sets and will rely on the passing game as they have for most of the decade, but the threat of the running game behind the big men up front will force opposing defensive coaches to respect the run which will likely open up the passing game. It will be a pick your poison scenario.
The offensive front includes Daniel Morstein (6-2, 265, soph.) and Luke Renfree (6-0, 210, jr.) at center, and guards Trevor Rehm (6-3, 200, sr.), an All-State first team pick a year ago, and Tucker Brackenbury, (6-3, 255, sr.). The starting tackles are Derrick Hucke (5-10, 205, sr.) and Monte Folsom (6-3, 250, jr.). Kyle Godecke (6-5, 275, jr.) will rotate at guard with Brackenbury. Other players working into the rotation will be Carl Gunderson (6-2, 230, jr.), Matt Longie (5-9, 175, sr.), Kevin Hilton (6-1, 215, jr.), and Alex Basile, 6-0, 180, jr.).
"We know we have a little work to do to get that size to move quickly in order to protect the passer and creat run holes but it certainly is somehtin that is a little unusual for us," said Thomas of the size. "All those players are playing in the defensive front seven and then you add Zeke Koslosky (6-1, 205) and we have quite a good group of interior people on both sides of the ball."
Another unusual aspect of this year's team is a senior quarterback as a first year starter. The previous eleven years featured just four starting quarterbacks – Bryce Carver for two years, Zach McRae for three years, Torrey Thomas for three years and Tyler Thomas for three years. Thomas is confident that Pete Walde is ready to lead the Beaver offense. "Pete Walde has done a tremendous job of backing up Bryce the last couple of years and learning about the offense and building himself up both physically and mentally so that he's ready to play," said Thomas. "He's got great leadership skills and I think the team believes in him so I think he's ready to lead the show."
Walde doesn't step into the huddle without experience on his resume. As per the Thomas tradition, Walde as other backups, has gotten a good share of on the field training. He's taken snaps during almost every game of the past two seasons so varsity football won't be a shock to his system. The backup will be J.T. Linder, a 6-1, 195-pound sophomore.
"We feel our quarterback play is falling in line with the tradition we've had in the past," said Thomas.
Helping make the transition to a new signal caller a bit smoother will be an experienced running game with the top three ball carriers from a year ago back in the huddle. Seniors Sam Parke and Evan Helle shared the position a year ago in the one-back set and will do so again this year. While Parke (5-8, 170) and Helle (5-9, 155) are quick slashers, Koslosky (6-1, 205, soph.) will add a bruising, athletic power threat in goal line situations.
Given the facts – a big offensive line with experience at runnning back and a first-year starter at quarterback – an observer might come to the conclusion that the Beavers are going to pound the ball this season.
"I would say that is a good analysis although in our offense we really believe we have to throw the football and stretch the defense both vertically and horizontally and we believe we can do that," stated the Hall of Fame coach.
A fleet of speedy, sure handed receivers and a coach who's play calling ability has kept the opposing defenders off balance, ensures that the Dillon offense will continue to generate miles of offensive production through the air.
"We've got another great group of receivers," admitted Thomas. "I think it will be receiver by committee."
Not only receiver by committee, but receiver by "just try to guess which one of the four or five pass catchers on any given play will have the ball thrown their way." Seniors Toby Shepherd, All State first team, and Garrett Banning, All Conference first team, head up the athletic receiver corps. Senior Mackenzie McGrath burned the fastest 40 yard dash time in fall camp and senior Torrey Vezina was right on his tail. Hunter Johnson, Austin Williams, and Andy Peterson are all break away threats making the unit a game breaking bunch. Adding more depth to both the receiving corps and the defensive backfield will be Donnie Moore, Matt DesJardins, and sophomore Wes Knox, a 6-3, 160-pound sophomore.
"A lot of these receivers are going to be playing in the defensive secondary so its important taht we can spell them on one side or the other," said Thomas. "Some will be getting breaks on offense, some on defense, so its nice to have a strong group."
In short yardage situations, when Dillon slides to a double tight end, two-back look, Torrey Vezina and Matt Merenz will move to the tight end positions.
So with all of the weapons, how does coach Thomas evaluate the team's chances to continue in the tradition of offensive dominance. "Pass protection from our offensive line will be the ultimate test of whether we'll be an explosive offense," said the coach.
Defensively, the Beavers will line-up in both their traditional 4-4 look and more and more in a 3-4 scheme that the coaching staff has developed to handle the wide variety of offensive sets that they face each season, from spread attacks to Wing-T power running looks.
The Dillon defense under the direction of coordinator Rick Nordahl has as many faces as there are names in the program. Nordahl integrates the entire roster into his scheme. In the 3-4, look for Godecke, Morstein, Longie and Gunderson to create havoc at the nose guard. Brackenbury will get time along the defensive front, most likely at end or tackle.
Folsom and Koslosky return as starters at inside linebacker making yards inside a challenge. Merenz will head up a quick and hard hitting outside linebacker unit, with depending on the formation, Hucke, Rehm, Parke and Helle filling positions. Hucke and Rehm go down to a three-point stance as defensive ends in the 4-4.
The same group playing receiver will line-up at some time in the defensive backfield though starters figure to be Banning at one cornerback and McGrath or Johnson at the other corner, Shepherd at free safety and Vezina at strong safety.
Rehm and Knox will handle the kicking, Walde and Merenz the punting, and Hucke and Renfree the long snapping. Walde will hold for placekicks.
"We feel like we have a lot of kids doing a lot of things on offense, defense and special teams," said Thomas. The Beaver roster includes 35 players on varsity and 40 on the froshmore team. "We can play close to 35 kids in each game so we're excited to get a lot of kids out on the field and see them play."
Bernie Wasser takes over reins of BCHS golf team
By J.P. Plutt
Dillon Tribune staff
The Dillon golf program is under new management this season. For the first time in over 30 years, someone other than Tedd Stanisich is directing the Dillon Beaver and Lady Beaver golf teams. Bernie Wasser steps in this fall to take over a program that has been consistently successful for more than three decades.
“It’s new to me in terms of getting to know the kids and what their skill level is,” said Wassser. “Right now I’m just trying to see where the kids are and how they’re developing.”
While BCHS golf is new to Wasser, coaching high school hackers is not. Wasser started the boys golf program in Malta and coached the team for five years before coming to Dillon as the girls basketball coach.
Wasser has 16 students on the roster, 10 boys and six girls. The two seniors are both on the girls side with team leader and four-year starter Shelby Lake serving as the calming influence. Freshman Randi Lewis, a transfer from Whitehall, has lit the leader board up with two, top 10 finishes in the season’s early going. Kassade Lemhouse, a sophomore, is the other varsity lock, while senior Hannah Byrne and freshmen Kristen Cottom and Kelsey Peterson will challenge for the #4 and #5 spots on varsity.
Junior Brett Creger picks up where he left off last year –as the ace of the boys team. Creger has placed in the top ten in both meets thus far. Freshman Travis Lake, junior Marcus Osborne, and sophomores Tyler Love and Dillon Womack have rounded out the varsity so far after two tournaments. Other boys competing for varsity slots include juniors Devon Compton, Ethan Ferris, Danny McGrath, Sam Burden, and sophomore Daniel Fuhriman.
Thus far Dillon has played the Butte Central Invitational and the Anaconda Invitational. Dillon next tees up at Riverside Country Club in Bozeman for the Belgrade Invite, Sept. 8, followed by the Anaconda Invitational at the Anaconda Country Club Sept. 11.
Butte Central Invite at Highland View Golf Course, Aug. 24
Boys team scores – Butte High JV 317, Hamilton 322, Belgrade 327,Bozeman JV 329, Livingston 339, Dillon 342, Anaconda 347, Butte Central 354, Stevensville 363.
Boys Top 10 – 1, B.J. Casaagranda, Butte High JV, 75. 2, Brett Creger, Dillon, 76. 3, Anthony Wood, Anaconda, 77. 4, Decker Wilson, Livingston, 78. 5T, Tim Schdrapps, Butte High JV, 79. 5T, Dylan Kempf, Bozeman JV,79. 5T, Eric Olive, Belgrade, 79. 8T, Jason Jessop, Hamilton, 80. 8T, Kyle Lubke, Hamilton, 80. 8T, Milan Plachy, Stevensville, 80
DILLON (342) –Brett Creger 76, Travis Lake 74, Dillon Womack 88, Tyler Love 96, Marcus Osborne 106.
Girls team scores – Livingston 352, Bozeman JV 405, Anaconda 414, Dillon 450, Hamilton 462.
Girls Top 10 – 1, Capri Ingram, Livingston, 80. 2, Teryn Green, Anaconda, 82. 3, Elizabeth Cahoon, Livingston, 84. 4, Randi Lewis, Dillon, 86. 5,T Rachel Wagner, Anaconda, 91. 5T, Amanda Reese, Livingston, 91. 7T, Miranda Martin, Hamilton, 94. 7T, Amber Gough, Hamilton, 94. 7T, Kiley Bremmel, Bozeman JV, 94. 10T, Olivia Davison, Bozeman JV, 97. 10T, Emily Buckner, Livingston, 97.
DILLON (450) – Randi Lewis 86, Shelby Lake 102, Kristen Cottom 130, Hannah Byrne 132.
Old Works Invitational at Anaconda, Aug. 26
Boys team scores – Hamilton 328, Belgrade 356, Butte High JV 357, Polson 359, Livingston 368, Anaconda 377, Stevensville 377, Dillon 383, Butte Central 388, Ronan 425, Frenchtown 427.
Boys Top Ten – 1, Jason Jessop, Hamilton, 77. 2T, Eli Rogers, Hamilton, 79. 2T, Hans Dierenfeldt, Anaconda, 79. 4, Haydon Congdon, Polson, 80. 5T, Brad Palin, Hamiklton, 81. 5T, Milan Plachy, Stevi, 81. 5T, Cody Fischer, Polson, 81. 8T, Brett Creger, Dillon, 82. 8T, Zach Stowell, Belgrade, 82. 10, Tom Raymond, Butte High JV, 84.
DILLON (383) – Brett Creger 82, Travis Lake 104, Tyler Love 98, Dillon Womack 99, Marcus Osborne 107.
Girls team scores –Livingston 374, Butte JV 407, Anaconda 434, Dillon 457.
Girls Top Ten – 1, Teryn Green, Anaconda, 85. 2, Natalia Arlint, Polson, 89. 3T, Capri Ingram, Livingston, 90. 3T, Sarah Boyer, Livingston, 90. 5T, Liz Cahoon, Livingston, 95. 5T, Ashley Preston, Butte High JV, 95. 7T, Randi Lewis, Dillon, 96. 7T, Amy Williamson, Polson, 96. 9, Kaitlyn McGrath, Butte High JV, 98. 10, Amanda Reese, Livingston, 99.
DILLON (457) – Randi Lewis 96, Kassade Lemhouse 114, Shelby Lake 119, Kelsey Peterson 128, Kristen Cottom 133.
DFL signup is in full swing
The 12th season of Dillon Football League Kids' Flag Football will begin with the first games on Sept. 19. The most important task right now is to get the kids signed up. Registration forms are available at area schools and the Dillon Tribune.
The DFL is for boys and girls preschool through eighth grade. There are four divisions divided by grade (P/K/1, 2/3, 4/5, 6/7/8).
Rules unique to the DFL are the equal play rule in which all players rotate into the game for the same number of plays, and each kid on the team gets to carry, catch or pass the ball at least once each game.
The season is six weeks long capped by the playoffs and DFL Bowl XII. Games, scheduled for a one hour time slot, are played behind Parkview Elementary School on Saturday mornings.
The ideals of sportsmanship and a fun, positive experience for the players are the basic goals of the program. Skill development and team work are emphasized. Parents and fans are expected to provide an example of sportsmanship that the young players can emulate.
The league rule allows only one team practice per week.
The cost is $15 per player with a maximum family obligation of $30. Thus, two kids $30. Six kids, $30. The DFL has a very discreet scholarship program.
The league supplies each player with a team shirt. Because of the time-line, shirts will not be available until the second game of the season.
Last year the DFL fielded 39 teams and over 360 players. That required a recruitment of over 75 volunteer coaches. The DFL needs to have two coaches per team to ensure that on each game day at least one coach will be at the field.
Besides the need to get the registration information as soon as possible, the DFL needs volunteer coaches. Parents are welcome to help coach, as well as former DFL players, college students, and anyone with a desire to help kids learn the greatest game on the planet.
For more information, contact J.P. Plutt (W 683-2331 or H 683-5411).
Lady Beav netters lack height not heart as they retool
By J.P. Plutt
Dillon Tribune staff
The Dillon Lady Beaver volleyball team opens the season Thursday at Frenchtown and then returns to B.W. Lodge Gym for the home opener Saturday versus Hamilton. Next Tuesday they host Livingston.
“The past two years we’ve graduated 14 seniors so this first part of the season is really working on fine tuning the little things and creating the discipline to do the basic skills,” explained Dillon coach Megan Conrow.
Conrow feels her team’s commitment to hard work will pay off not only in conditioning but also in technical proficiency. She says she is “amazed” with the dedication the players have shown thus far in preseason workouts.
For Conrow, a big adjustment will be playing competitive volleyball without a player over 5-9.
“We are not very big,” she admitted. “We’ve always been a team that is 5-11 or above at the front of the net. We don’t have that as one of our assets this year. We’re going to have to be very smart when we’re hitting the ball.”
Leading Dillon will be three returning players who gained varsity experience last year – Jacey Suenram, Annie Ori, and Katie Myllymaki. Suenram will line up as a middle blocker as the tallest player on the squad at 5-9, while Myllymaki is a defensive specialist and Ori will fill an outside hitter role and then defensive specialist when she rotates to the back row.
Dillon will play a 6-2 offensive set with cousins Kate and Jordan Ferris as setters.
“They can both hit the ball as well as set the ball so we can utilize them in a lot of different roles,” said Conrow.
“We’ve got some kids that have come up through the program that are really shining,” said Conrow of Emily Paffhausen, a defensive specialist, and Alison Jenne, a middle blocker. Kasidy Fosse will rotate at outside hitter, while Sara Downey, Kerrianne Richardson, and Carly King will swing between varsity and junior varsity.
“We’ve got some kids with a lot of athleticism,” concluded Conrow. “We might not have the size but defensively, we’re going to touch every ball.”
UM Western netters open season on road
By Gary Oram
Dillon Tribune sports
The University of Montana Western Volleyball squad opened their season, August 26, and lost their first match against Conference rival Montana Tech, in non-conference play at Butte, 25-16, 25-19, and 25-23.
“We were definitely nervous for the first couple games, and once we sort of got into the rhythm, and weren’t so nervous, the third game we played much better,” stated Montana Western head coach Katie Howells.
This was Western’s first match of 2009. Tech, however, had competed in a tournament the previous weekend. “I thought it really looked like our first game. Tech played a tournament the weekend before, but it looked like we improved through it,” said Montana Western athletic director Mark Durham. Confirming what Howells commented on, after this match-up.
Sitting dead last in the pre-season coaches pick, Western trailed Frontier Conference defending champion Lewis-Clark state by 39 points after a dismal 2008 showing. However, on the road, August 28-29, at the Fortin Center in Billings, team captains Teresa Bennett, Maria Peterson, and Kyla Rasmussen helped Western defeat Dickinson State, South Dakota Mines, and Minot State, in a tournament setting, losing only to Rocky Mountain College.
“Definitely, again, every time we are out on the court we’re playing better and better,” Howells stated. At present the University of Montana Western is 3-2 on season action.
Next week, Sept. 4-5, Montana Western travels to Mitchell South Dakota, to compete in a tournament hosted by Dakota Wesleyan. Commenting on the upcoming matches Howells said, “We will play some of the same teams that we beat. I think we’ll have another good weekend in terms of wins.
Montana Tech def. Western 25-16, 25-19, 25-23 UMW stats – Shelby Mack, aces 1, digs 2. Kayla Schmid, assists 1, digs 10. Teresa Bennett, kills 6, assists, digs 5, stuff blocks 1. Kyla Rasmussen, digs 3. Susie Rehse, kills 1, assists 1, block assists 1. Wendy Doutre, kills 10, assists 1, digs 2, block assists 1. Maria Peterson, kills 1, assists 18. Jamie Zemljak, kills 7, aces 2, digs 5. Elise Davis, kills 1, assists 1, digs 1. Valerie Thoms, kills 3.
Rocky Mountain def. Western 25-12, 25-12, 25-17
UMW stats – Shelby Mack, digs 6. Kayla Schmid, digs 2. Michaela Jeffs, kills 2, digs 1. Teresa Bennett, kills 6, digs 5. Kyla Rasmussen, digs 8. Susie Rehse, kills 1, block assists 1. Wendy Doutre, kills 2, aces 1, digs 1. Maria Peterson, kills 2, aces 12, digs 4, block assists 1. Jamie Zemljak, kills 1, digs 6. Elise Davis, kills 2, aces 1, digs 5, block assists 1. Valerie Thoms, kills 1.
Montana Western def. Dickinson State
22-25, 26-24, 26-24, 25-23
UMW stats – Shelby Mack, kills 1, aces 1, digs 11. Teresa Bennett, kills 12, aces 3, digs 23. Kyla Rasmussen, digs 10. Susie Rehse, kills 7, digs 1, stuff blocks 1, block assists 1. Wendy Doutre, kills 5, assists 1, block assists 1. Maria Peterson, kills 7, assists 44, digs 19, stuff blocks 1, block assists 1. Jamie Zemljak, kills 12, digs 10. Elise Davis, kills 11, aces 2, digs 8, stuff blocks 1.
Dillon runners prepare for state
By Dick Crockford
Dillon Tribune staff
If last season is any indicator, Dillon cross country fans can expect to see another solid core of dedicated runners consistently improve over the weeks ahead, continually building toward the state championship finale in the latter part of October.
The 2009 edition of the Beaverhead County High School running squad offers an almost evenly split mix of boys and girls among its nearly 35 members, including returning leadership from 2008.
Last season, the boys’ team improved its times and packing nearly every week, bringing home the third-place trophy from the state meet in Missoula.
Two members of that team, Neal Jenne and J.W. Henningsen, are the foundation for this year’s squad. Also back are seniors Tyler Kelly and Cody Mitchell. On the girls’ side, Claire Larson and Emily Gary – both experienced seniors – are serving as co-captains.
Brightening the picture even more for Coach Betty Iverson is the fact that this season’s new team not only still has strong leadership elements from last year, but is also bolstered by strong interest from new recruits, particularly sophomores and juniors out to run for the first time.
Several on both the boys’ and girls’ squads have been running for weeks before the start of formal practices that began a little more than two weeks ago. Those athletes, especially the ones who have kept up their training over the summer break, are expected to compete well even in the early season.
Last Saturday, the Beavers competed amongst themselves in team time trials in preparation for their season opener this Friday, the traditional Birch Creek Invitational.
Birch Creek will be the first opportunity for the Beavers to demonstrate their readiness against other teams. Dillon easily outpaced the competition on offered by runners from Anaconda, Butte Central and Whitehall.
As always, as the season progresses, Iverson will be concentrating on advancing the running skills needed to assure her teams of places on the championship risers in Missoula on Oct. 24.
Class C volleyball outlook
By Tim Hansen
Dillon Tribune staff
Local class C volleyball teams opened up their seasons this past weekend as both Twin Bridges and Lima earned a couple of victories while dropping a pair.
Coach Karen Degel enters her fifth year as the Falcons head coach and will have a very familiar face as assistant, as daughter and former Falcon star, Katie Degel joins her while sitting out a mandatory year for the UM Western Bulldogs after transferring within the frontier conference. The Falcons return two seniors and adds a senior transfer as they try and improve on last years fifth place league finish. Senior Katie Ashcraft is considered a great leader and inspiration to her team, while sophomore Peyton Ferris is expected to contribute immensely with her overall athletic ability.
The Lima Lady Bears have eight athletes out for new head coach Jenny Kershaw. Two seniors, Alena Mayer and Cimbrelyn Clarno should provide good leadership for the younger bear players. Coach Kershaw feels that discipline, hardwork and an injury free season are the keys to success.
There was no information available on the Sheridan Panther Volleyball team at press time.
Area Class C gridders ready for 2009 season kickoff
By Tim Hansen
Dillon Tribune sports
6-8-11; does it matter so long as it’s football season? Not if you ask Lima, Twin Bridges, Sheridan, or the Dillon Beavers, all whom will test their summer weight program, two-a-days and overall team toughness beginning this weekend.
The Southern “C”, yes, Southern, not Western, will pit the Sheridan Panthers and the Twin Bridges Falcons against new opponents after a lengthy stay in a very tough Western C that saw the state champion the past four of five years come out of its division.
The Southern C includes Twin Bridges and Sheridan along with a former C entrant coming back to the ranks after a lengthy stay in the Southern B division, the Ennis Mustangs. Once a co-op with the Harrison Wildcats, the Mustangs will drop down a class while the Wildcats take their football players to former Southern B foe Three Forks. Most sports fans know the Mustangs have moved to C in every other sport with the exception of football two years ago. White Sulphur Springs, Shields Valley and Gardiner round out the Southwest side of the Southern C division.
Although not clear cut, the Panthers of Sheridan High School look to be the favorite on this side of the bracket. Returning six seniors from a 5-3 team in ‘08 puts them in fairly good position to win a lot of games. Basically a four-year starter, Senior Casey Crippen will lead the Panthers under center and will also serve as their “QB” on defense as he plays the safety position.
The Falcons of Twin Bridges will not enter with an empty cupboard either, bringing back all-everything senior Jake Schmidt to a team that lost in the semifinals to eventual runner up Wibaux in the ‘08 campaign. Although short on seniors, the Falcons are not short on talent as they return four starters and a host of young-hungry players, 28 in all, that are looking for a successful season as they vie for a fifth straight playoff appearance.
In 6-man just down the road from Dillon, the Lima Bears will look to improve on a winless season in 2008 under new head coach Jason Sutton. Coach Sutton will suit up four upper and four lower classmen on the new season, led by 6’2”, 160-pound senior Jeremy Bump and 5’11”, 245-pound center Jake Wilding.
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