The Bobcat Nation

I'll have more on this and my thoughts on this Montana class soon.

VimSince03 wrote: ↑

Wed Dec 12, 2018 4:58 pm

I'll have more on this and my thoughts on this Montana class soon.

How is this team selected? Does the coach pick the team? There are a few omissions I would point out, mostly from non-AA schools (and schools in the western part of the state). Admittedly, I'm biased toward Class A and B though, and I watch most of my football in Western MT. You never know if some kids get asked and decline the invite, but it seems like this was AA kids and the few kids from lower classes that had committed to the Cats or Griz. It's an impressive team anyway, but I wouldn't have minded a little diversity on the roster (mostly Rostad and McPhee). I get it though--you include them and somebody else gets left off.

Is this the same weekend as the Class B All-Star game?

kennethnoisewater wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 13, 2018 10:10 am

VimSince03 wrote: ↑

Wed Dec 12, 2018 4:58 pm

I'll have more on this and my thoughts on this Montana class soon.

How is this team selected? Does the coach pick the team? There are a few omissions I would point out, mostly from non-AA schools (and schools in the western part of the state). Admittedly, I'm biased toward Class A and B though, and I watch most of my football in Western MT. You never know if some kids get asked and decline the invite, but it seems like this was AA kids and the few kids from lower classes that had committed to the Cats or Griz. It's an impressive team anyway, but I wouldn't have minded a little diversity on the roster (mostly Rostad and McPhee). I get it though--you include them and somebody else gets left off.

Is this the same weekend as the Class B All-Star game?

The head coach (Rob Stanton) chooses the roster along with his assistant coaches: Matt Hollowell (West), Kane Clauch (West), Jim Stanton (Billings Central), Les Meyer (Fairfield), and Greg Horton (Great Falls Central). So basically those AA coaches usually choose the best AA players but it becomes very subjective in Class A, B, and C...because AA gets so many guys.

By the way, Rostad is a junior. McPhee was a major snub at LB (if he didn't decline). Joe Olson and Blake Counts were obvious choices at RB but the LB choices were interesting.

VimSince03 wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 13, 2018 10:27 am

kennethnoisewater wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 13, 2018 10:10 am

VimSince03 wrote: ↑

Wed Dec 12, 2018 4:58 pm

I'll have more on this and my thoughts on this Montana class soon.

How is this team selected? Does the coach pick the team? There are a few omissions I would point out, mostly from non-AA schools (and schools in the western part of the state). Admittedly, I'm biased toward Class A and B though, and I watch most of my football in Western MT. You never know if some kids get asked and decline the invite, but it seems like this was AA kids and the few kids from lower classes that had committed to the Cats or Griz. It's an impressive team anyway, but I wouldn't have minded a little diversity on the roster (mostly Rostad and McPhee). I get it though--you include them and somebody else gets left off.

Is this the same weekend as the Class B All-Star game?

The head coach (Rob Stanton) chooses the roster along with his assistant coaches: Matt Hollowell (West), Kane Clauch (West), Jim Stanton (Billings Central), Les Meyer (Fairfield), and Greg Horton (Great Falls Central). So basically those AA coaches usually choose the best AA players but it becomes very subjective in Class A, B, and C...because AA gets so many guys.

By the way, Rostad is a junior. McPhee was a major snub at LB (if he didn't decline). Joe Olson and Blake Counts were obvious choices at RB but the LB choices were interesting.

That's the other thing I wasn't sure about--if it was a senior only game. The AA bias is probably why I don't really know much about the game, being a small school guy.

kennethnoisewater wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 13, 2018 11:12 am

VimSince03 wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 13, 2018 10:27 am

kennethnoisewater wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 13, 2018 10:10 am

VimSince03 wrote: ↑

Wed Dec 12, 2018 4:58 pm

I'll have more on this and my thoughts on this Montana class soon.

How is this team selected? Does the coach pick the team? There are a few omissions I would point out, mostly from non-AA schools (and schools in the western part of the state). Admittedly, I'm biased toward Class A and B though, and I watch most of my football in Western MT. You never know if some kids get asked and decline the invite, but it seems like this was AA kids and the few kids from lower classes that had committed to the Cats or Griz. It's an impressive team anyway, but I wouldn't have minded a little diversity on the roster (mostly Rostad and McPhee). I get it though--you include them and somebody else gets left off.

Is this the same weekend as the Class B All-Star game?

The head coach (Rob Stanton) chooses the roster along with his assistant coaches: Matt Hollowell (West), Kane Clauch (West), Jim Stanton (Billings Central), Les Meyer (Fairfield), and Greg Horton (Great Falls Central). So basically those AA coaches usually choose the best AA players but it becomes very subjective in Class A, B, and C...because AA gets so many guys.

By the way, Rostad is a junior. McPhee was a major snub at LB (if he didn't decline). Joe Olson and Blake Counts were obvious choices at RB but the LB choices were interesting.

That's the other thing I wasn't sure about--if it was a senior only game. The AA bias is probably why I don't really know much about the game, being a small school guy.

Yeah all summer All-Star games are for seniors only.

http://badlandsbowl.com/montana-roster/

Scouting Reports (10-1) - viewtopic.php?f=17&t=47247
Scouting Reports (20-11) - viewtopic.php?f=17&t=47230
Scouting Reports (30-21) - viewtopic.php?f=17&t=47202
Scouting Reports (40-31) - viewtopic.php?f=17&t=47179
Scouting Reports (50-41) - viewtopic.php?f=17&t=47175

2019 Badlands Bowl Montana Roster Breakdown: Offense

QB:

Blake Thelen (Great Falls High)
Kris Brown (Bozeman)

These two were the top two quarterbacks on my final ranking. They are both great passers with underrated running ability. MT is in good shape with these two. I have no snubs or surprises for this position. Alternates for this position included Mitch Norslein (Lewistown), Joe Byorth (Billings Central), and Rylan Ortt (Missoula Sentinel). For full scouting write-ups, follow the "20-11" link above.


RB:

Joe Olson (Bozeman)
Preston Blain (Kalispell Glacier) - replaced Blake Counts (Kalispell Flathead)

Joe got his potentially historic senior season cut short due to braking his arm in Game 6. As I've stated before, he was about 50 yards behind Blake Counts prior to their 6th game and both were on pace for about 2,500 rushing yards. Obviously, Blake set the record and Joe had to watch from the sideline. Glad Joe gets to get back out there and show his skill set. Too bad Blake won't be suiting up for the MT roster but Preston is a solid replacement. He was my 7th ranked RB in the state and an original alternate for the game along with Jack Studer (Billings Central) and Gunner Hegg (Billings Senior). However, other RBs I had ranked ahead of Preston and the other two alternates were Landers Smith (Charlo), Ryan Tirrell (Missoula Loyola), Elias DeWaters (Missoula Sentinel), and Colton McPhee (Columbia Falls). Tirrell declined invite for the game while Landers, Elias, and Colton weren't even alternates for this game...which is puzzling but it is what it is. A lot of players deserve to play in this game each year but don't get selected by the group of coaches making the roster. Anyway, for Joe's write-up, follow the "10-1" link above while Preston's can be found in the "50-41" link.


WR:

Jesse Owens (Billings West)
Chay Marsh (Billings West) - replaced Dawson Allen (Fairfield)
Camron Rothie (Hamilton) - replaced Kyle Torgerson (Great Falls High)
Tyson Racht (Broadwater) - replaced Ryan Simpson (Bozeman)
Josh Neil (Butte) - replaced Ryan Lonergan (Bozeman)

Jesse Owens was my #1 receiver in the state and you can see his write-up in the "10-1" link above. As for the rest, this position group got almost completely replaced when compared to the initial roster lineup. Allen, Torgerson, and Simpson were all kids I had ranked in my Top 40. Cam Rothie was my #10 receiver in the state but did not make my final Top 50 and was an original alternate for this game. He's a perfect replacement for Kyle Torgerson. Tyson Racht was a Southern B 2nd-Team All-Conference selection at QB/DB his senior year. Marsh was a HM AA All-State selection at WR for Billings West. Josh Neil did not show up on any post-season award list in AA and most of that can be attributed to an injury that nearly cost him his left leg (find more on his journey through this link: https://buttesports.com/butte-highs-jos ... ands-bowl/). Josh is listed as a WR but he was primarily a RB for Butte his senior season. The original alternates for this group were Rothie, Cooper Waters (Missoula Loyola), Anthony Jones (Kalispell Flathead), and Tanner Trafton (Lewistown). I'm assuming those other three declined invites for this game because if they didn't, what is the point of listing alternates for this game? Marsh was an all-state WR on the AA state champion so I get his head coach getting him on the roster. Tyson Racht didn't play WR during his career at Townsend but he's a good all-around athlete...but a kid like Casey Gunlikson is an even better one and was snubbed from the all-star game circuit for some reason. I understand track stars don't always equate to good football players...but Casey was a two-time Class B All-State football player and the fastest athlete in the state of Montana. As for Neil's selection, its a good story and its cool that the coaches still select talented players who lost their senior seasons to injury. Overall, I'm confused by the Racht selection but there were likely a lot of declined invites for kids who chose to play in the Shrine Game instead. UM/MSU coaches push there recruits to choose only one game to play in if they get selected for both so that could've also played a role. Also, some kids just choose to not play in any all-star game and arrive on the college campus early to train with their respective teams.


TE:

Noah Ambuehl (Great Falls Central Catholic)

Ryan Lonergan declined invite to this game but he and Noah were the original selections at TE for this game. Logan Kennedy of Laurel was the original alternate. These three were also my Top 3 TEs in the state and all in my Top 30. Like the QBs, these selections were no-brainers and you can see their write-ups in the links above.


OL:

Holden Sampson (Helena High)
Sam Gray (Billings Central)
Keegan Mires (Glendive) - replaced Andrew Siderius (Kalispell Flathead)
Sebastian Koch (Kalispell Flathead)
Nico Young (Kalispell Glacier)
Justus Perkins (Bozeman)
Maverick Roberts (Billings Central)

Starting with the center position, Justus and Maverick were my Top 2. Both are legit, college-ready centers and will provide good punch in the run game against the always-large ND defensive line. Carter Slade of Billings West was the lone alternate at center. You can find their write-ups in the 50-31 range. Per the listed roster, the guards will be Nico Young and Sebastian Koch. Both were 1st-Team AA All-State selections their senior seasons and Sebastian signed with Carroll. Both were in my final Top 10 interior lineman ranking. As for tackle, Holden Sampson is the star of the group and you can see his write-up in the "10-1" link. The other two selections are Sam Gray of Billings Central and Keegan Mires of Glendive. Both Gray and Mires were Class A All-State lineman (Gray at OT and Mires at OG). Andrew Siderius was on the original list but he got replaced by Mires. Mires was an original alternate selection but can also give MT another good punting option along with QB Blake Thelen. Both can bomb it! Alternates at the position include Kobe Nelson (Billings West), Spencer Warren (Bozeman), Riley Allen (Flink Creek), and Garrison Poetzl (Billings Senior). Obviosuly, Poetzl's alternate status was more of a recognition thing because he is likely still recovering from his ACL injury suffered during his senior year. Nelson, Warren, and Allen were 1st-Team All-State in each of their respective class levels so all good picks. There are also some good offensive lineman slotted as starters on the defensive line so there are plenty of good options on both sides of the ball to mix and match units.

http://badlandsbowl.com/montana-roster/

Scouting Reports (10-1) - viewtopic.php?f=17&t=47247
Scouting Reports (20-11) - viewtopic.php?f=17&t=47230
Scouting Reports (30-21) - viewtopic.php?f=17&t=47202
Scouting Reports (40-31) - viewtopic.php?f=17&t=47179
Scouting Reports (50-41) - viewtopic.php?f=17&t=47175

2019 Badlands Bowl Montana Roster Breakdown: Defense

DL:

Alaric Greil (Helena Capital) - replaced Patrick Hammond (Kalispell Flathead)
Ethan Baines (Kalispell Glacier)
Connor Paul (Billings West)
Marcus Wehr (Billings Central)

1st-Team AA All-State defensive lineman Patrick Hammond was an original selection for the game but will be replaced by 3-time AA All-State Alaric Greil. Actually, I was surprised Alaric wasn't chosen in the first place and that was likely due to his lack of sacks his senior season. Ethan, Connor, and Marcus are all fantastic selections. Marcus was my #1 DE in my final ranking. Connor was my #2 interior offensive and defensive lineman in the state. Ethan was my #7 ranked DE and was a top sack master in AA his senior season. Overall, this is a very physical, stout group. I would've liked to see Garrett Brown of Corvallis get a nod on the DL but these four are excellent picks. Other alternates included Carter Hughes of Sidney, Nick Konesky of CMR, and Mason Harrison of Lewistown.


LB:

JJ Lindsay (Billings West)
Hulan Edwards (Billings West) - Ryan Tirrell (Missoula Loyola)
Alex Johnson (Helena High)
Wes Jameson (Lewistown)
Max Evanson (Billings Senior)

My #1 LB in the state (Tirrell) declined the invite to this game but the roster still boasts my #2 (Johnson), #8 (Lindsay), #9 (Evanson), and #11 (Jameson). Hulan Edwards was an original alternate and got the nod to come play for his high school coach one more time. Other alternates included Cole Crosby (Kalispell Glacier), Brody Grebe (Roundup), Riley Dickinson (GFCC), Tyler Walker (Dillon), and Michael Nehring (Manhattan). In my opinion, Brody Grebe should have 100% been an original selection when this list came out in late December. I'm also very puzzled that Colten McPhee got no recognition despite being one of the best linebackers and tacklers in the state. I guess I just disagree with two linebackers from Billings West getting a chance to play in this game over a slew of other kids that were more deserving from other class levels (Grebe and McPhee.) However, make no mistake...these five athletes can ball out and each are very versatile in where they can play. Max can take reps at outside and inside backer while also rushing the passer at end. Alex played nearly every position on defense with maybe the exception of nose tackle for Helena High. JJ and Hulan were the primary inside backers when West ran nickel so they are used to be the guys lined up over the guards. Wes is also interchangeable at outside or inside backer. Anyway, there was likely some good discussion about who got the nod at LB in this group of players but it was a deep position group in 2018 and it should play out that way on Saturday night.


Secondary:

Crishon Dixon (Billings Central)
Kade Wilcox (Billings West)
Trevin Gradney (Billings West)
Zach Spiroff (Helena High)
Wyatt Brusven (Shelby)
Tristan Hirsch (Miles City) - replaced Ryder Meyer (Fairfield)
Jaden MacNeil (Kalispell Flathead)
Lucas Gibb (Billings West)

For my money this is the most talented group on the roster. Dixon and Gradney were my Top 2 CB's in the state and my #4 and #7 recruits, respectively. Spiroff and Wilcox were my #5 and #7 corners in the state, respectively. Gibb was the AA Defensive Player of the Year and a Top 20 recruit in my final ranking. MacNeil was a Top 40 recruit in my final ranking and is one of the more versatile athletes on the roster on both sides of the ball. Brusven and Hirsch can play safety or corner while providing a physical presence against the run. The original alternates included Cade Dschaak (Wibaux), Duncan Kraft (Billings Central), Tucker Greenwell (CMR), and Jake Clinton (Lewistown). Overall, I felt Tucker Greenwell got snubbed at safety and I would've put him in over Hirsch or Brusven. He was a 3-time AA All-State selection at safety and was a special teams ace as a return specialist and gunner. But really that's it. Not having Ryder at safety does hurt the talent a little but Gibb and Macneil should hold up on the back end really well. I also expect Hirsch, Brusven, or even Wilcox get reps at safety. Corner is loaded with Dixon, Gradney, and Spiroff.

Is this game streamed or on tv? Remember it has been the last few years but haven’t heard anything this year.

Bozcat003 wrote: ↑

Sat Jun 15, 2019 10:48 am

Is this game streamed or on tv? Remember it has been the last few years but haven’t heard anything this year.

Here's what I found. Hope it works.
https://www.bektel.com/badlandsbowl/

Rich K wrote: ↑

Sat Jun 15, 2019 2:02 pm

Bozcat003 wrote: ↑

Sat Jun 15, 2019 10:48 am

Is this game streamed or on tv? Remember it has been the last few years but haven’t heard anything this year.

Here's what I found. Hope it works.
https://www.bektel.com/badlandsbowl/

It's also on SWX.

Just tuned in a couple of minutes ago. A little bit different game than the last few years...

Thanks for the heads up.