They say home is where the heart is, and Asher Knopik’s heart found a home with the Glacier Wolfpack as a leader on both offense and defense.

The 2024 All-Stater has only continued to improve during his senior season and emerged at the top of Class AA as a running back. 

“Believing in myself has gotten me here today,” Knopik said. 

Knopik started his high school career 22 miles away from Glacier in Bigfork. An injury kept him away from the football field for most of his freshman year, but as a sophomore Knopik found his love for the game. 

“That sophomore year, that kind of led me to see ho special football is and how I have to attack every opportunity and just appreciate everything around me,” Knopik said. 

He also competed on the Vikings basketball team as a sophomore. 

Going into his junior year Knopik transferred to Glacier looking for new opportunities. 

“The transition from Class A to Class AA football was tough,” Knopik said. “It was hard on me at the start, but then through all the ups and downs I just learned to believe in myself.” 

Knopik made an impact in his first season at Glacier, but he still was the new kid. 

“He’s got all the qualities that you want: Hard worker, selfless, great person, great teammate,” Wolfpack coach Grady Bennett said. “But he did kind of stand back, he was new to the Wolfpack, so he let the seniors lead and let the captains lead.” 

Knopik noted one of the biggest changes from Class A to AA is the depth and athleticism that teams have at Montana’s highest level. 

“It was a bigger stage, but over time you get used to it. The more you practice, the more you get to know AA football the more you adapt to it,” Knopik said. 

Despite the changes, Knopik worked his way to a first-team All-State selection as a special teams player. He was second-team at inside linebacker. 

Moving into his senior year, Knopik knew he needed to step into a leadership role. 

“I was kind of shy, I wasn’t that vocal and I kind of kept to myself a little bit,” he said. “When all the seniors graduated I realized I had to step up because now I was one of the biggest leaders on the team, so I embraced that role and try to improve upon that role in every way I can. 

“Holding the team to high standards, being vocal, just really pushing myself to the standard that I want to become as a leader.” 

“It’s been really neat to watch him grow into that leadership role and become the leader that he is,” Bennett said. 

Knopik was selected by his teammates as one of the three team captains to represent Glacier in every game. 

“It’s impressive because it means that he has won the respect and he has the hearts of all of his teammates for them to vote him as a season long captain,” Bennett said. 

On the field, Knopik has let his play do the talking. He leads Class AA with 930 yards and 13 touchdowns rushing and is averaging 10.7 yards per carry. 

Knopik thanks the schemes from Wolfpack offensive coordinator Matt Upham and his offensive line for opening up lanes for him to run through. 

“His scheme helps me to play the way that I want, fast and physical and free,” Knopik said. 

Knopik is a key reason as to why Glacier sits 8-0 heading into a senior night matchup with Missoula Big Sky tonight at 7 p.m. 

“Having the season we are having now is awesome and I am super grateful to be playing with the guys that I am,” Knopik said. 

As for his future, Knopik has been adamant from the moment he arrived at Glacier that he wants to play college football. 

“He was very clear about that and wanted to be in our program feeling like he could achieve those goals,” Bennett said. 

Bennett added that his job as a high school football coach isn’t just to help players get to the college level as athletes, but rather to achieve the goals that they have laid out for their future. 

“Asher is special because most of the time we have to initiate that and start to process of goal setting,” Bennett said. “Asher comes in and says, ‘here are my goals, here is what I want to achieve, I want you to help me do it.’ “ 

Where Knopik will end up playing in 2026 is yet to be determined, but he has been on a few official visits. He added that while he doesn’t have a shortlist made yet, he would love to play for Montana or Montana State if the opportunity arose. 

For now, it’s eyes forward to Big Sky as the Wolfpack look to lock up the No. 1 seed in Western AA and finish off a perfect 9-0 regular season. 

    Glacier linebacker Asher Knopik (11) celebrates after a stop in the second quarter against Helena Capital at Legends Stadium on Friday, Sept. 19. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider