MaxPreps 2015 Montana preseason high school football Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

Video: Tadan Gilman's highlights vs. Green
See the Glacier High all-around player in action.


1. Glacier (Kalispell)
Coach: Grady Bennett
2014 finish: 13-0
Team preview

The defending Class AA state champions lose nine all-state players from last year's undefeated team, including state offensive MVP Brady McChesney at quarterback and state defensive MVP Josh Hill at middle linebacker. However, the cupboard is not bare for coach Grady Bennett. Four honorable-mention all-state players return on defense, including Jaxen Hashley at defensive end, Tadan Gilman at linebacker,and Jake Willich and Caleb Jones in the defensive backfield. A pair of second-team all-state players return on offense, including Thomas Trefney at running back and Andrew Klamecki at tackle.

See the Top 10 teams with the most Montana state titles all-time



2. Helena
Coach: Tony Arntson
2014 finish: 10-2
Team preview

Helena reached the Class AA semifinals last year and returns a number of key players from that squad. Leading the way is returning quarterback Jackson Thennis, who earned honorable-mention all-state honors last season. He's joined in the backfield by fullback Nick Winfield. On defense, Helena returns first-team all-state defensive end Chase Benson, along with punter Tyler Matteucci, defensive lineman Gus Herzog and junior linebacker Kendall Johnson.

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3. Beaverhead County (Dillon)
Coach: Rick Nordahl
2014 finish: 10-2
Team preview

After losing to both Butte Central Catholic and Billings Central Catholic during the regular season, Beaverhead County avenged both losses in the playoffs to claim its second-straight Class A championship and its third in four seasons. The Beavers will miss all-state quarterback J.D. Ferris, but all-state receiver Nate Simkins is back. He caught 58 passes for 825 yards last year. Kyle Finch is the top returning defender after registering 99 tackles last year.

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4. Billings Central Catholic
Coach: Jim Stanton
2014 finish: 7-3
Team preview

A perennial conference champion, Billings Central Catholic last won a state title in 2012. However, the Rams appear primed to contend for a Class A state championship in 2015. Coach Jim Stanton returns 14 starters from last year's team, seven on both sides of the ball, including several key skill positions. Jacob Hadley (6-foot-5, 195 pounds) returns at wide receiver, while Ben Smith (6-3, 230) leads the way on the offensive line.

See last season's Montana football computer rankings

5. Bozeman
Coach: Troy Purcell
2014 finish: 5-6
Team preview

The Hawks had a losing record last year, but they are just two years removed from a Class AA state championship. Last year's squad was junior-dominated and a number of those juniors earned all-state honors. Balue Chapman and Payton O'Reilly were two-way standouts last year, earning all-state honors at DE/RB and TE/LB, respectively. DJ Perdaems is also back at quarterback while Trace Bradshaw returns on the defensive line and Brock Behan is back at linebacker.