Gridders should be one of top teams in state this year
Aiden McFadden and Hunter Goodman drill at football practice last week. (JP Edge photo)
By CHRIS PETERSON
Hungry Horse News
The Columbia Falls Wildcat football team started a host of sophomores last season and still made the playoffs.
Those players are juniors now and looking better than ever, starting with 6-foot-4, 223-pound quarterback Cody Schweikert, who not only has a gun of an arm, but can run the ball if a play breaks down.
The team also has a talented receiving corps with the likes of Jace Duval, Mark Robison, Justin Windauer and Jace Hill, just to name a few. All told, the team has nine solid wide receivers, noted head coach Jaxon Schweikert.
“They look good,” Schweikert said of the team. “They’re pretty scrappy.”
At running back, the Wildcats will lean on Colton Evans, Brandon Role and Tyler Gilfry.
Role is an up-the-gut style of runner.
“He’s pretty fast for 210 pounds,” Schweikert said.
Also, expect Blase Wunderlich to get some reps at runningabck as well.
On offensive line, Trey Rice returns at center. Schweikert said the line is solid, but could use some depth. The starters will need to stay healthy through the season.
Defensively Schweikert said the linebacking corps is some of the best he’s ever had and the secondary and defensive line is solid as well.
If the Cats can stay healthy up front, Schweikert said this squad could end up being a final four team in the postseason.
The Wildcats were 6-3 last year.
The team to beat in conference play? Polson should be tough, Schweikert said.
The Cats wrap up the season against Hamilton, which is always a good game.
“I think they’ll be really tough,” he said. “They have a lot of really good young talent.”
The Cats open the season the road Friday against Stevensville and then travel to East Helena the following week.
Their home opener is against Ronan Sept. 9 at 7 p.m.
Schweikert is assisted by Austin Green, Bill Coleman, Kelly Houle, Bill Sapa, Tyson Hubbard and Brian McGrath. McGrath coaches the froshmore team as well.
Green was the quarterback for the Cats during their state championship season in 2017 and will be assisting with the offense as the coordinator as well as coaching safeties and receivers.