Two days before kickoff, Daily Inter Lake sports reporter Luke Schmit sits down with Columbia Falls Wildcats head coach Kelly Houle, quarterback Banyan Johnston, and running back/linebacker Tripp Ross ahead of Thursday's season opener against Fergus at Grizzly Stadium in Missoula.

Coach Houle breaks down why this team is "weeks ahead" of where they were a year ago, the brotherhood culture that drives the program, and what he wants to see change after a playoff run last season - starting faster instead of building momentum late.

Johnston talks about sharpening the details in his game and stepping into a senior leadership role for the Wildcats' freshmen, while Ross previews his downhill running style, a veteran offensive line, and a defense built to play fast with Jackson Cadwell and Daniel Contreras up front.

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