We were this close to having a Cat-Dog State A boys soccer championship last November.

No one says it can’t happen in 2025. 

Whitefish, for one thing, has 11 seniors back from a team that went 11-3-1, including a 3-2 loss to Billings Central in the state championship. 

“We have a good crew coming back,” Bulldogs’ coach Eric Sawtelle said. “We had some big shoes to fill and the incoming senior class has shown up and shown they’re ready to fill those shoes.” 

One senior is two-time All-State selection Kyhler Jonson, a high-scoring center/midfielder. Wyatt Carlson and Jack Oehlerich started as midfielders a year ago. Those three and a fourth senior, Gavin Sibson (outside back), are co-captains. 

“And I understand why they were voted in as captains,” Sawtelle said. “They’ve shown up every day and really set a good standard for our program.” 

Chemistry, Sawtelle added, is the key – and he likes what he sees so far. 

“We have a way to go, but we’re getting there,” he said. 

Columbia Falls fell to that same Billings Central team 1-0 in last year’s semifinals, a heart-breaking loss that was decided by a deflected shot. Then the Cats graduated nine of 11 starters, which had coach O’Brien Byrd thinking they were due for a rebuilding year. 

“Then we started summer workouts,” he said. “I was blown away by all the work these guys have done in the offseason.” 

Now he’s thinking a crew that includes All-State pick Jack Harris and fellow senior midfielder Jackson Scholz could again make serious noise. The Cats are defending Northern A champions, after all. 

Junior Brady Bell, Byrd said, will be dangerous around the goal. “We’re looking for a big season out of Brady Heitz,” he added of his senior keeper. 

The Wildcats obviously face challenges from the Bulldogs and Bigfork Vikings, if not Libby. Bigfork junior Quinn Kerr was all-Northern A last year, as were Libby seniors Colby Illiff and Nolan Morris, and senior Andrew Wrobleski of Thompson Falls-Plains. 

Yet the more things change... 

“If these kids believe that they’re that good, they can do it,” Byrd said of his Cats. “They have to believe. But the coaches believe in them, that’s for sure.” 

Columbia Falls has its opening match Friday at 4 p.m. against Laurel.