Brock Osweiler got his chance last week. Now it's Lex Hilliard's turn.
On Nov. 14, Osweiler, who graduated from Flathead High School last year, became the first true freshman to start at quarterback for Arizona State University since Jake Plummer in 1993. Osweiler was 5 of 10 for 14 yards before leaving with a shoulder injury in the second quarter. He is expected to be healthy enough to play this weekend, but will not start again.
Hilliard, another Flathead graduate, has now moved into the No. 2 running back position behind Ricky Williams on the Miami Dolphins' depth chart. Ronnie Brown, the starting running back, is out for the season with a foot injury. Hilliard has seen time in games this year on special teams, but has yet to take an NFL snap. As the backup running back, that should change fairly soon.
Polson Lands Three on List
Four Northwestern A Players Named All-State Volleyball
The Northwestern A all-conference lists have been released. Four of the first-team selections were also named to the Class A all-state team, including three from Polson and one from Libby. Polson seniors Nicole Davey and Staci Benson were named all-state for the second straight year, while junior Breanne Kelley joined them. Jackie Mee, a senior at Libby, was again selected to the all-state team as well.
By clicking "read more" you can find a list of the rest of the Northwestern A all-conference selections.
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By clicking "read more" you can find a list of the rest of the Northwestern A all-conference selections.
Helena Capital Aiming for Fourth Straight Class AA Title
Volleyball and Football State Tournament Results
The fall sports season is over for Northwest Montana's high schools. Flathead High School lost consecutive matches at the Class AA state volleyball team, ending the Bravettes' season. Also over the weekend, the volleyball seasons ended for Libby and Polson at the Class A state tourney. The Pirates finished fourth at the tournament, winning two matches – including one over Libby – and losing two matches altogether. Libby won one match and dropped two.
Billings West won the AA crown, while Billings Central took top honors in Class A.
For full brackets, click on any of the following: Class AA, Class A, Class B, Class C.
The only fall sport still going is football, though there are no longer any teams from Northwest Montana participating. In Class AA, top-seeded Helena Capital takes on No. 2 C.M. Russell on Saturday for the state championship. Capital is shooting for its fourth straight state title. In Class A, Billings Central faces Frenchtown in the title game. For complete brackets, click on any of the following: Class AA, Class A, Class B, Class C (8-man) or Class C (6-man).
Billings West won the AA crown, while Billings Central took top honors in Class A.
For full brackets, click on any of the following: Class AA, Class A, Class B, Class C.
The only fall sport still going is football, though there are no longer any teams from Northwest Montana participating. In Class AA, top-seeded Helena Capital takes on No. 2 C.M. Russell on Saturday for the state championship. Capital is shooting for its fourth straight state title. In Class A, Billings Central faces Frenchtown in the title game. For complete brackets, click on any of the following: Class AA, Class A, Class B, Class C (8-man) or Class C (6-man).
First True Freshman to Start Since Jake Plummer
Osweiler to Start for ASU Saturday Against Oregon
Brock Osweiler - photo courtesy of Arizona State University
On Saturday, Flathead High School graduate Brock Osweiler will become the first quarterback to start as a true freshman for Arizona State University since Jake Plummer in 1993. Most football fans are aware of Plummer, who led the Sun Devils to the Rose Bowl and went on to the NFL. When Osweiler suits up against No. 13 Oregon on Saturday night, he will be just the fourth true freshman to start at quarterback in school history.
If it looks like Osweiler is being thrown to the wolves by making his first start against a highly ranked Oregon team on the road, keep in mind that Osweiler already dealt with perhaps fiercer wolves when he played the second half of last weekend's game against formidable USC. In that game, he was 11 of 27 for 153 yards with a touchdown and interception in a 14-9 loss. On the season he is 19 of 45 for 235 yards with two touchdowns and an interception.
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If it looks like Osweiler is being thrown to the wolves by making his first start against a highly ranked Oregon team on the road, keep in mind that Osweiler already dealt with perhaps fiercer wolves when he played the second half of last weekend's game against formidable USC. In that game, he was 11 of 27 for 153 yards with a touchdown and interception in a 14-9 loss. On the season he is 19 of 45 for 235 yards with two touchdowns and an interception.
Libby Places Three Girls on Team
All-State Selections for Class A Soccer
After leading Libby to an undefeated regular season in girls soccer and a trip to the Class A state championship, two seniors and a junior from the Loggers were named all-state. Junior Jaime Gilden was honored following a season in which she led the state with 19 goals. Senior Anna Valentine was third in the state in goals with 15 and first in assists with 14.
Libby's third all-state selection was senior Kaila Forester. The Loggers lost in overtime 4-2 to Billings Central in the title game.
While the Libby girls placed the most players on all-state of any team, boys or girls, from the Northern A division, four other girls and seven boys were honored from the league. For a complete list of Northern A's all-state selections, as well as the all-conference teams, click "read more."
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Libby's third all-state selection was senior Kaila Forester. The Loggers lost in overtime 4-2 to Billings Central in the title game.
While the Libby girls placed the most players on all-state of any team, boys or girls, from the Northern A division, four other girls and seven boys were honored from the league. For a complete list of Northern A's all-state selections, as well as the all-conference teams, click "read more."
Golf Prodigy Has Overcome Vision Difficulties
On Final Day of Year, 12-Year-Old Shoots Hole-in-One
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Ryan Keenan, of Bigfork, follows through on a shot in August. Last Thursday, Keenan shot his first hole-in-one. - Lido Vizzutti/Flathead Beacon |
Ryan Keenan, a 12-year-old golf prodigy from Bigfork with a vision impediment in both eyes, shot his first career hole-in-one last week. Lon Hinkle, who golfed on the PGA Tour during the Jack Nicklaus era, contacted me last Friday to tell me the news. The day before, on Thursday, Keenan called Hinkle to tell him he hoped to squeeze one more day out of the golf season at the Eagle Bend Golf Club.
"I told Ryan if we get a nice day, call me and we’ll go," Hinkle said. "He called that morning and we bundled up and went out there. It was probably our last day of golfing."
On the sixth hole, playing from the white tees, Keenan launched a six-iron that sailed perfectly toward the pin. Keenan, Hinkle and John Lang watched as the ball dropped into the hole, 125 yards away.
"He got so excited, so animated," Hinkle said. "It was the neatest deal. It was a wonderful day."
I wrote a story in August about Keenan after he won the Bill Roberts Montana Junior Amateur Golf Championship by 20 strokes. Just as impressive as his story – overcoming vision problems to become the best golfer in the state for his age – is Keenan himself. He speaks like an adult and is undeniably bright. And his work ethic should be envied by anyone, regardless of age.
Congratulations to Keenan for his first hole-in-one. Something tells me it won't be his last.
"I told Ryan if we get a nice day, call me and we’ll go," Hinkle said. "He called that morning and we bundled up and went out there. It was probably our last day of golfing."
On the sixth hole, playing from the white tees, Keenan launched a six-iron that sailed perfectly toward the pin. Keenan, Hinkle and John Lang watched as the ball dropped into the hole, 125 yards away.
"He got so excited, so animated," Hinkle said. "It was the neatest deal. It was a wonderful day."
I wrote a story in August about Keenan after he won the Bill Roberts Montana Junior Amateur Golf Championship by 20 strokes. Just as impressive as his story – overcoming vision problems to become the best golfer in the state for his age – is Keenan himself. He speaks like an adult and is undeniably bright. And his work ethic should be envied by anyone, regardless of age.
Congratulations to Keenan for his first hole-in-one. Something tells me it won't be his last.
Polson, Columbia Falls and Glacier Lose
Updated Football Playoff Brackets
Football season is over in Northwest Montana. With playoff losses over the weekend, the season ended for Polson, Columbia Falls and Glacier. Congratulations to all three of them for reaching the postseason and especially to Glacier, which qualified for the playoffs for the first time in school history. The Wolfpack finished the season 7-4 following a 28-14 loss to Billings Skyview in the first round of the Class AA playoffs.
Polson, which had a first-round bye in the Class A tournament, lost 18-16 to Belgrade in the second round to finish with a 7-2 record. After defeating Hamilton in the first round, Columbia Falls lost to Butte Central 49-13. Central's quarterback Andy Ritter gained a school-record 455 yards of total offense. Columbia Falls ended its season at 7-4.
Here's how the remaining state football playoff brackets look:
-Class AA
-Class A
-Class B
-Class C (8-man)
-Class C (6-man)
Polson, which had a first-round bye in the Class A tournament, lost 18-16 to Belgrade in the second round to finish with a 7-2 record. After defeating Hamilton in the first round, Columbia Falls lost to Butte Central 49-13. Central's quarterback Andy Ritter gained a school-record 455 yards of total offense. Columbia Falls ended its season at 7-4.
Here's how the remaining state football playoff brackets look:
-Class AA
-Class A
-Class B
-Class C (8-man)
-Class C (6-man)
All-State Lists Announced
Frey Wins Soccer Player of the Year Again
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Maddey Frey of Glacier High School - Lido Vizzutti/Flathead Beacon |
Glacier High School senior forward Maddey Frey has won the Western AA Player of the Year for girls soccer for the second straight year. Frey, a speedy forward with a knack for scoring goals, was also selected to the all-state team for the third straight year.
Frey is joined on the all-state team by teammate Patty Hughes, a junior. Sophomore Tess Brenneman and junior Chelsea Shuman of Flathead High School also were honored. For boys, Glacier senior Seth Bumgarner was named all-state.
These other local athletes were named all-conference:
Girls – Liana Bates (Jr., Glacier); Sydney Sharaff (Sr., Glacier); Stephanie Brewer (Jr., Flathead)
Boys – Josh Neiman (Sr., Glacier); Jerrad Merrill (Sr., Flathead); Cody Morritt (Sr., Flathead)
Frey is joined on the all-state team by teammate Patty Hughes, a junior. Sophomore Tess Brenneman and junior Chelsea Shuman of Flathead High School also were honored. For boys, Glacier senior Seth Bumgarner was named all-state.
These other local athletes were named all-conference:
Girls – Liana Bates (Jr., Glacier); Sydney Sharaff (Sr., Glacier); Stephanie Brewer (Jr., Flathead)
Boys – Josh Neiman (Sr., Glacier); Jerrad Merrill (Sr., Flathead); Cody Morritt (Sr., Flathead)
