Sept. 3, 2010

Those struggles and winless seasons in Class A for Bigfork's football team are a distant memory now.

The Vikings celebrated their return to Class B last fall by surprising everyone. They finished in a three-way tie for first place in District 7B with a 4-1 mark and completed the season 4-4 overall.

You can also look for Bigfork's success to continue on the gridiron in 2010.

The Vikings, led by senior quarterback Christian Ker, have a wealth of experience back on both sides of the ball.

"We are so much further ahead on offense and defense," Bigfork coach Todd Emslie said of this year compared to last year.

"It's incredible."

Bigfork's success a year ago has resulted in another plus for Emslie. The Vikings have 50 athletes on the roster. Bigfork had 38 for fall drills a year ago.

"There are a lot of kids who are excited about it," Emslie said of the season.

Eureka, which also tied for the league championship along with Plains-Hot Springs, also figures to be in the mix this fall. The Lions are coming off a 6-3 season, which included a first-round playoff loss to Florence.

"Team speed is good, skill and size at the skill positions," Eureka coach Ed Newell said.

"(We have) playoff experience."

Newell says overall size up front could be a problem.

"Also, inexperience on the offensive and defensive lines."

"It just took awhile for the kids (to believe). They haven't won for so long."

Ker, 6-foot-4, 180 pounds, will be starting in the backfield for a third season for the Vikings.

Travis Knoll, 6-0, 175, senior, is back at tailback and Cody Dopps, 5-11, 180, junior, returns at fullback.

The other veterans back on offense are linemen Anthony Curtis, 5-10, 220, senior; Austin Cantrell, 6-0, 225, junior; Jerry Rose, 5-11, 225, senior; and Connor Coleman, 6-0, 205, junior.

"I think Travis Knoll will have another big year if he stays healthy," Emslie said.

"Offensively, we're still kind of young, but we have a good mix of classes. We have a solid line."

Returning starters back on defense are: Knoll, safety; Dopps, linebacker; Alex Ruiz, 5-10, 173, junior, linebacker; Coleman, end; Dillon Fraley, 6-4, 225, junior, end; Curtis, line; James Vale, 5-11, 263, line; and Ian Lorang, 5-10, 160, junior, cornerback.

Bigfork's season begins with a road trip to Missoula Loyola tonight at 7.

"Eureka comes here, as does Thompson Falls, which is kind of a plus for us playing them at home," Emslie said of the schedule.

"I think the top teams (in 7B) have some really good athletes."

Colin Gillard, 5-8, 195 senior, is back at quarterback after garnering second-team 7B honors a year ago.

Taylor Vaughn, 5-10, 182, senior, returns at fullback. He made the all-district first-team in 2009.

Andrew Derby, 5-10, 180, senior, running back/linebacker, started every game for the Lions last season.

Ryan Holder, 6-0, 185 junior, tight end/defensive back, was the team's leading receiver until a injury sidelined him.

Bryton Guckenberg, 6-2, 175, junior, wide receiver/defensive back, earned all-district honors as a punter last season, while Caleb Curtiss, 6-2, 185, junior, lineman, was also named all-district.

Two top prospects in the line are seniors Corey Kakuk, 6-2, 175, and Michael Wilson, 6-1, 195.

Top newcomers and underclassmen are: (juniors) Bryce Bartmess, 5-9, 150, wide receiver/defensive back; Hunter Price, 5-9, 130, wide receiver/defensive back; Zack Powell, 5-7, 185, running back/linebacker; Curtis McDuffie, 5-7, 165, running back/linebacker; Kyle West, 5-8, 200, line; Dillon Little, 6-0, 180, end/line; Duncan Livingston, 5-7, 170, line; (sophomores) Tanner Blankers, 5-9, 140, wide receiver/defensive back; Richard Roo, 5-10, 225, line; and Dusty Schlund, 5-9, 195, line.

Eureka begins its season tonight at 6 hosting Deer Lodge.

Newell is 52-38 at Eureka and is closing in on a coaching milestone this season. He is four wins shy of 100 career victories.