Although you won’t find the names Josh Harris or George Mercer listed No. 1 on the depth chart at the defensive end positions, both Montana players have still had a hand in helping the Grizzlies stay undefeated this season.

Harris, a 6-foot-5, 230-pound redshirt freshman from Kalispell, has played in all 14 games. He has 10 unassisted tackles and nine assisted tackles for a total of 19. That puts him 21st on the team.

Harris has two tackles for loss, which totals minus 17 yards, two quarterback sacks for minus 17 yards, a fumble recovery and one forced fumble.

He’s taken full advantage of every second he spends on the field.

George Mercer, a 6-3, 241-pound senior from Libby and a three-year letterwinner, has played in 13 games. He has one unassisted tackle, has assisted on three more and  also has two quarterback hurries.

Both are hoping to contribute Friday night when the Griz play Villanova in the Football Championship Subdivision title game in Chattanooga, Tenn.

Harris, who wears No. 96, is usually the first defensive end to fill in for a starter on the left side.

 Mercer wears No. 92.

Those are also the only two players on the UM roster from our readership area.

“I got quite a bit (of playing time) last week,” Harris said in a telephone interview on Tuesday.

“Played in all four quarters. Those guys (Appalachian State) were a good team.

“The week before, probably,” Harris said of his best effort in the playoffs.

“I did a little better.”

Montana last week dispensed with Appalachian State 24-17 in Missoula. That semifinal contest was far different than the previous week when Montana spanked Stephen F. Austin 51-0 at Washington-Grizzly Stadium.

The Grizzlies opened the playoffs at home with a wild 61-48 come-from-behind victory over South Dakota State.

“It was crazy every week, but last week was a very special game,” Harris said of the playoffs.

“Especially with the conditions and all the fans sticking around through the bad weather.”

Harris attributes his increased playing time in the postseason to the opposition winning the time of possession battle.

South Dakota State held a 34:25 to 25:35 edge on Montana, and Appalachian State had nearly the same time advantage. As a result, Montana’s defense has been on the field a lot longer. That means Harris goes in more often to spell the starter.

“It’s been pretty special so far,” Harris, a former two-year starter and all-state performer at Flathead High School, said.

“We just hope to keep the special season going through the last game.

“I feel like we have a great shot at winning,” he continued.

“We just have to play our best game of the season. Our preparation has a lot to do with our success.”

Harris says the team feels no added pressure being the top seed, or undefeated.

“We just have the same attitude that we’ve had for every game throughout the season,” he said.

“We have confidence in ourselves, we know what we have to do to prepare to play another great team.”

 He said the coaching staff and players have totally bought into the one-game-at-a-time mentality.

“This week is the one that counts, this is the one to be focused on,” he said.

“It’s a big game.”

Harris said Montana’s close calls with Idaho State (12-10), Northern Arizona (41-34 OT) and South Dakota State “showed a lot about our team character.”

Harris said his two top performances came against Weber State and Idaho State.

“I had a sack in both games,” he said.

“I have a lot of improvement to do to become a better player,” he added.

“Get a little bigger, work on my speed, my pash rush. I think the opportunity is there (to start next season).”