Joel and Wendy Collett don’t just give lip service in support of high school sports in Plains, they actually do something about it.

Making their home in the mountains south of Plains at the end of a winding, newly constructed road available as the home base for Plains’ annual season-opening cross country meet, and building the running course to go with it, the Colletts have made an invaluable contribution to the youth of this area.

As in the movie “Field of Dreams,” the Colletts, along with Plains cross country coach Jesse Jermyn said build it and they will come and, sure enough runners from several area schools were able to enjoy the 2026 running of the race due to the efforts and generosity of the Colletts.

“They have been great, preparing their place for the race, setting up a parking area, just really doing things right,” Jermyn said. “I helped with doing the work but there is no way this happens without Joel and Wendy and we are very appreciative of what they have done for us.”

MOTIVATORS HAVE to motivate and Hot Springs coach Jim Lawson, whose Savage Heat football team was forced to opt out of season play due to low numbers recently has been at a loss lately as to what to do with himself.

Thankfully, Hot Springs volleyball coach Taylor Salmi says Lawson has found new inspiration in her team.

“I guess Jim can’t help himself, I caught him giving my team an inspirational talk the other day,” Salmi said. "And it’s all good, I can’t think of anyone better than Jim to talk to my girls anyway.”

Lawson, who is serving as unofficial, half-time assistant coach for the Polson Pirates football team as two Hot Springs students are playing there this fall, explains the situation from his point of view.

“I give the girls little pep talks here and there,” he admitted. “As the AD I feel like I can do that. Since I don’t have my football team, I guess it’s okay.”

A two-time Montana 6-Man football coach of the year for leading Hot Springs to State championships in 2012 and 2016, Lawson is obviously well-credentialed for his motivational speeches.

And coach Salmi isn’t about to turn down the free inspiration either. “Jim is missing his football team but we are glad to have him working for us now,” she joked.

LAWSON PROVIDED an update on how Hot Springs student-athletes Ben Aldridge and Chase DePoe are doing with their new team in Polson as a result of the recent cooperative agreement between the schools.

In their first game with the Pirates last week, Polson defeated Corvallis 29-14 in Polson Friday.

Lawson said Aldridge played most of the game for the Pirates at tight end on offense and at linebacker on defense, and that DePoe saw a lot of action at cornerback for the Pirate defense against Corvallis.

Aldridge reportedly caught a pass for a two-point conversion in addition to strong play on defense and at tight end, Lawson said.