Capital High football’s state championships, Part I

Chapter 13, CM Russell 7

Just six years after the varsity opened and on their first go to to the playoffs, coach Tim Dennison’s (10-1) Bruins captured their Charter State Grid title. The championship recreation towards CM Russell at Vigilante Stadium, performed in minus 18 snow – the stripes have been marked with black charcoal for visibility – grew to become referred to as “The Frozen Bowl”.

Quarterback Bobby Petrino drew the primary blood, with an 80-yard dash throughout the touchline. After the Rustlers equalized it within the third at 7s, receiver Scott Miller got here again for a move at CMRs 40 (on a play the Bruin sign caller arrange on his hand) and ran all the way in which to the 5. Moments later, Petrino It sneaked over the gate in fourth and one to provide the beginning shot.

Late within the remaining stanza, CMR drove from his personal 20 to Capital’s 9 yard line. With simply 15 seconds left, Russell QB (and future Michigan State nice) John Leister fired 4 incomplete passes into the top zone because the clock ran out. When the final try failed, the 4 brown and gold secondary plane dived headfirst into an enormous pile of snow.

Petrino was named the Class AA co-MVP, whereas Mike Gillespie, Tim Crenn in O deal with, operating again Phil Hauck, Ron Glueckert in D deal with and defenseman Dan Frankino additionally made the 1978 All-State first staff.

The Bruins avenged an early season loss to Kalispell within the 1987 semifinals, washing the Braves 6-0. However, their title hopes towards No. 1 Mining City Butte took a significant blow when season-ending quarterback Jeff Tuss suffered a damaged collarbone.

Although coach Jim Tuss, the QB’s father, instructed the IR, “Backup quarterback Chris Peccia will win it for us.” it did not look good.

The Browns and Golds did not panic, nonetheless, and performed managed soccer, scoring halfway by means of the second half after a 2-yard tumble from full-back James Sheridan. On Capital’s second possession after the break, they streaked for 74 yards in 4 video games, capped off by a 54-yard strike from Peccia to Cory Johnson.

Two further factors from Charlie Schwertfeger and a few essential interceptions from defenders Tom McMahon and Dave Maehl – the latter on the Bruins’ 10 by 46 seconds – cemented the triumph.

Leading Capital’s (10-2) postseason particular person honors went to All-Americans Jeff Tuss and linebacker Shane Mahaarg, who have been named Class AA Offensive and Defensive MVPs, with Tuss additionally being named Gatorade Player of the Year .

Teammates who additionally made the primary staff an All-State have been Cory Johnson at tight finish, O-Guard Mike Mlekush, Kam Wrigg at receiver, Sheridan, Stau Billy Cockhill, and D-Linemen John Trudnowski and Jay Korth.

Capital 34, Missoula Big Sky 7

Coach Tuss – who underwent lung surgical procedure two weeks earlier than the title combat towards the Eagles at Vigilante Stadium – breathed somewhat simpler within the cool air after Arec Larsen electrified his hometown crowd by chipping the opening shot 90 yards from dwelling introduced again.

Signal caller Byron Molyneaux fired two hits at Larsen (42 yards) and Brian Mellen (7) whereas Treavor Smith (16) and Mike Berry (18) added dashing TDs. Kicker Jay Pinkerton added 4 PATs and Capital (11-1) had his third crown.

The Eagles’ solely end result was a 65-yard TD catch and run by Jeremy Watkins, son of former HHS Bengal wrestler Jim Watkins. CHS’ steadfast protection stole three passes and restricted Missoula to seven first downs and 155 whole offensive yards.

Molyneaux and linebacker Treavor Smith have been named offense and protection MVPs by AA. The the rest of the first-team All-State Mohawkers have been O-linemen Matt Kuntz and Lee Tyson, Larsen, Steve Windle at D-Line and DB Mellen.

Chapter 15, CM Russell 14

The Browns and Goldens celebrated their first unbeaten championship because the Bruins received 12-0 at Vigilante Stadium in an all-around staff effort – topped by a courageous conversion shout-out – shadowing the mighty CM Russell 15-14.

Capital took an early lead with a 45-yard bomb from JD Emmert on speedster Lucas Nelson however fell 14-7 late within the recreation. Justin Thomas broke out with a 49-yard sweep to the Rustlers’ 16, after which with 3:35 left, JD Emmert hit Nick Carrell ultimately zone for a 15-yard TD.

Then coach Walt Chance made what grew to become referred to as “The Call,” going for the win as an alternative of a draw. Emmert spiraled to Nelson in the proper nook of the top zone for two factors, after which the protection cemented the crown.

The AA offensive and defensive MVP honors went to Emmert and defensive finish Dan Stanger. Bruin’s different first-team All-Staters included Nelson (WR), Thomas (RB), Jason Shuman (OG), Joe Horne (LB), Travis Ahner (DB), and defensemen DJ Ryan and John Zimmerman.

Capital 53, Billings West 24

Third-year coach Mark Samson, a former profession capital sprinter/hurdler and fullback footballer, led his alma mater gridders to an undefeated title, with a 53-24 win over two-time defending champions Billings West.

After the Bears scored the primary objective, the Bruins’ save to succeed in Paydirt consisted of Jake Eldridge, Jim Horne, Greg Carothers and Lucas Canney (interception); two passes by Ty Emmert TD to Tom Havron and Kevin McCutcheon; a strike by Carothers towards McCutcheon; and two subject objectives by Steve Honzel.

Emmert was named the Western Conference offensive MVP, whereas Carothers and Brandon Milone shared the defensive MVPs on the protected and defensive finish. Carothers, a 6-foot-3, 197-pound junior, was named the state defensive MVP.

CHS (12-0) teammates who made the primary staff All-State included Milone and D lineman Steve Rice, linebacker Kyler Noel, linebacker O linemen Jesse Ahearn and Dan Mazurek, receiver McCutcheon, Honzel, Punter Donny Saisbury, cornerback Kyle Scarr and Jake Eldridge on the punt return.

Capital 35, Kalispell 6

The Bruins (12-0) accomplished two straight unbeaten seasons for his or her sixth state grid crown whereas tying the AA-record 24 straight wins of Missoula County (1944-46) and CMR (1989-90).

Donny Saisbury led the offensive cost, operating for 200 yards and some touchdowns. Emmert fired two TD passes at Luke Bazacas and Jared Kuntz, and Bazacas added a fast rating. The vaunted brown and gold protection has solely allowed 16 factors within the final 5 video games.

Emmert and inside linebacker Kyler Noel have been chosen because the 2000 Class AA Offensive and Defensive MVPs. CHS swamped the All-State First Team with a school-record 12 gridders together with Saisbury (RB), Shane MacIntyre (OLB), Alex Browne (OT), Matt Thomas (CB), Dan Mazurek (OG), Scott Wunderlich (DE) , Craig Jones (C), Sam Stanger (DL), Lane Yetter (TE) and Robin Rocco (S).

A NOTICE: Part II of Capital’s Last Half Dozen AA Crowns will air subsequent week.