Saints, Griz find local crop
Big doings are going on next door.
Well, not quite next door, but they’re certainly whooping it up in Montana these days.
Southern Cal, California and UCLA are playing in bowl games, but only one is playing for a national championship.
Not so in Montana.
Most readers know that the Montana Grizzlies, the team everybody in these parts loves to hate except for a decent number of transplants and a select few others, are playing for the Division I-AA championship tonight.
Few know that the Carroll College Fighting Saints out of Helena are playing for the NAIA championship on Saturday.
Although Grizzly fans are quick to point out they’re in the playoffs for the 12th straight season, they’re only going for their third championship. That’s how many Carroll is trying to win – in a row.
It can’t be claimed that none of that would be possible without contributions from the Inland Northwest, but the Treasure State football teams have certainly mined a few gems out of this area.
The local connection to the Grizzlies is well-documented. Two former stars will start on defense when Montana (12-2) plays James Madison (12-2) at 5 p.m. PST in Chattanooga, Tenn. (ESPN2).
Senior Blake Horgan, an East Valley graduate, is at tackle, and junior Kevin Edwards, from Lewis and Clark, is a cornerback. Senior defensive tackle Jonny Varona of Medical Lake and junior offensive guard Jason Frink of Post Falls, have started previously but are injured.
At least four area players have major roles for Carroll (11-2) in its game against 13-0 St. Francis (Ind.) that begins at 10 a.m. PDT, in Savannah, Tenn., four hours from Chattanooga.
Three come from Gonzaga Prep.
Sophomore linebacker Josh Schmidt is second in tackles with 93 in 13 games. Phil Lenoue, a redshirt freshman linebacker, has 54 tackles, including a team-high 13.5 for loss. Freshman Marcus Miller is the kicker, contributing 57 points by making 10 of 12 field goals and 27 of 28 extra points.
“It’s exciting,” G-Prep coach Dave Carson said. “It’s fun seeing those kids do well. I hope they win. I’m happy for those kids, they’re great kids.”
On offense, Kyle Baker, a fourth-year junior out of Lake City in Coeur d’Alene, is the starting center for the third straight championship game. He is an academic All-American as well as an All-Frontier League player.
Nick Bradeen, a redshirt freshman from Post Falls, is a backup linebacker and had 43 tackles in nine games.
A few other young area players are awaiting their turn at both schools, but for now they’re just enjoying the good times as Montanans in Tennessee.