Columbia Falls ran through the Northwest A unbeaten last fall. 

With plenty of familiar faces back, the Wildcats have the pieces to repeat.

Senior quarterback Banyan Johnston returns after leading the offense last season, along with running back Trip Ross and receiver Jory Hill. The experience has allowed third-year head coach Kelly Houle to move faster through camp. 

“We’ve got a lot of experience coming back, which is helpful for anybody, so we’re weeks ahead of where we were last year,” Houle said. “We’re feeling really confident about this season.” 

Besides the three-headed monster on offense, Columbia Falls has plenty back on the other side of the ball. 

Daniel Contreras returns on the defensive line, while Ross and Jaxson Cadwell give the Wildcats experience at linebacker. Houle believes the group up front has a chance to be among the best he has coached. 

“I mean, our inside front seven, our D-line, our inside backers and our outside backers, I’ve been coaching football a long time and if they’re not the best, they’re right there to the top of the defenses,” said Houle. 

Columbia Falls’ 2025 season ended inches short in the Class A quarterfinals; East Helena stopped the Wildcats at the goal line to preserve a 27-20 win. 

Whitefish went further. 

The Bulldogs won two playoff games, including a 27-20 upset of top-seeded Laurel, before falling 23-20 to eventual state champion Frenchtown in the semifinals. 

Quarterback Luke Dalen returns for his senior season with even more experience under his belt. He spent the offseason working on the mental side of the position, including reading coverages and improving his decision-making. Dalen said the Bulldogs are already running parts of the offense that weren’t installed until later in the season last fall. 

Austin Alton returns at receiver and defensive back, while Vance Schwaiger and Keenan Curtiss give Whitefish a pair of senior options out of the backfield. The Bulldogs also return several pieces up front. 

Whitefish coach Brett Bollweg entered camp wondering who would replace the leadership lost from last year. He said his returning seniors have quickly answered that question. 

“That was a question mark for us, and that question mark has been erased in all the best ways,” said Bollweg. 

Whitefish is positioned to challenge Columbia Falls again after the two battled for the Northwest A title last season. The Bulldogs led their rivalry game 18-0 entering the fourth quarter before the Wildcats scored 19 unanswered points to pull out a19-18 win. 

Bigfork also reached the postseason before falling to Hamilton 46-20 in the opening round. 

Now they will have new faces in bigger roles. 

The Vikings lost a large senior class after last season, including several starters. Senior Alex Ochs takes over at quarterback while Ryeln Rodriguez returns as a receiver and cornerback. Senior Quinn Kerr could provide another weapon after splitting time between soccer and football last season. Kerr is committed to football full-time this fall. 

“The kid’s explosive,” Bigfork coach Hunter Johnson said. “He’s going to be fun to watch this year.” 

Despite the turnover, Johnson believes a strong summer has the Vikings ahead of pace. 

“We’re leaps and bounds ahead of where we were last year,” Johnson said. 

Polson may have a chance to close the gap after going 3-5 last season.  

Junior quarterback Case Cox returns after adding 10 to 15 pounds during the offseason. The Pirates expect him to continue developing as a passer while becoming more of a threat with his legs. 

Eli Evenson and Luke Horner return at the skill positions, while senior running back Kelby Dumont joins the varsity backfield after having to play JV last season because of transfer rules. 

Carson Oakland enters his sixth season as a head coach and fourth at Polson after spending two years at St. Ignatius. With a roster featuring plenty of juniors, he wants the Pirates focused on what is in front of them rather than looking too far ahead. 

“Take it a day at a time, enjoy the process and enjoy the grind together,” Oakland said. “Let’s go through some hard times and learn how to get through that together.” 

Libby enters the season with questions and an outside shot of a top-three finish and a playoff berth. 

The Loggers lost 13 seniors from last year’s 4-4 team and have just 24 players out this fall. Only three players had substantial playing time last season, and several freshmen will be asked to contribute right away. 

Senior Tristan DeShazer returns at running back and linebacker, while James Woody takes over at quarterback after serving in a backup role last season. Senior Hunter Witmer also returns on the offensive and defensive lines. 

Libby will start freshmen Hudson Hannah at free safety and Nolan Winn and Noah Scofield at linebacker. 

“I hope that it breeds confidence and excitement for those kids and that other kids will rally around them,” Libby coach Kyle Hannah said. 

Ronan will look to turn the page after a winless 2025 season. The Chiefs face an immediate test when they open on the road against Hamilton. 

Prediction 

1. Columbia Falls 

2. Whitefish 

3. Bigfork 

4. Polson 

5. Libby 

6. Ronan 

Players to Watch

Banyan Johnston, QB-LB, Columbia Falls; Trip Ross, RB-LB, Columbia Falls; Jory Hill, WR-CB, Columbia Falls; Daniel Contreras, TE-DL, Columbia Falls; Luke Dalen, QB-SS, Whitefish; Austin Alton, WR-CB, Whitefish; Vance Schwaiger, RB-OLB, Whitefish; Alex Ochs, QB-SS, Bigfork; Ryeln Rodriguez, WR-CB, Bigfork; Quinn Kerr, RB-OLB, Bigfork; Case Cox, QB-CB, Polson; Eli Evenson, WR-SS, Polson; Kelby Dumont, RB-MLB, Polson; Bridger Adams, G-DT, Polson; Tristan DeShazer, RB-LB, Libby; James Woody, QB-DE, Libby; Hunter Witmer, OL-DL, Libby.