MaxPreps 2014 Montana preseason high school football Fab 5

1. Glacier (Kalispell)
2013 finish: 11-2
Head coach: Grady Bennett
Team preview

The Wolfpack suffered just two losses last year, both of them to Bozeman, including the Class AA championship game. A total of 13 starters return, including eight on defense, making Glacier the favorite in Montana. All-state receiver Logan Jones returns, as well as second team all-state quarterback Brady McChesney. Glacier is solid on the line with all-state picks Hunter Kauffman returning at center and Truman Pisk back at tackle. All-state linebacker Josh Hill returns to lead the defense along with all-state safety Tucker Rauthe.

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2. Bozeman
2013 finish: 13-0
Head coach: Troy Purcell
Team preview

The defending state champions were barely challenged last year in racking up a 13-0 record. The Hawks averaged 48 points per game and allowed just 14 in winning their first state title since 2010. State MVP Will Weyer has graduated, along with every other Bozeman player that earned all-state first or second team honors. However, honorable mention picks Balue Chapman (junior) and Cordell Appel (senior) return at defensive end and linebacker, respectively.



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3. Billings Central Catholic
2013 finish: 9-2
Head coach: Jim Stanton
Team preview

The state champions two years ago, the Rams lost twice in 2013, both of them to state champion Beaverhead County. Coach Stanton returns 11 starters from last year, including six on defense. One of them is Holden Ryan (6-1, 215), an all-state pick who ran for 1,607 yards and 20 touchdowns as a junior. The defense returns all-state defensive end Colin Holetz and cornerback Jesse Byorth. Holetz led the team with 66 tackles last year while Byorth had 55 tackles and two interceptions. Zach Cullen, an all-state guard, also returns on offense.

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4. Beaverhead County (Dillon)
2013 finish: 11-0
Head coach: Terry Thomas
Team preview

The Beavers have won five state titles since 2003, including two in the past three seasons. The bad news is that Beaverhead County loses nearly every starter from last year's team. The good news is that all-state quarterback J.D. Ferris returns for his senior season. Ferris threw 26 touchdown passes as a junior and came up big with 245 yards passing in the state championship game against Billings Central Catholic. Parker Tezak is the only other returning all-league player after earning second team all-league honors at cornerback.



5. Skyview (Billings)
2013 finish: 7-5
Head coach: Ron Lebsock
Team preview

Skyview reached the second round of the playoffs after upsetting Helena in the first round of the AA playoffs. Although Skyview lost five games, two of the losses were to Bozeman, the undefeated state champion. The Falcons return both starting running backs in Riley Barta and Justin Keeling. Barta came up big in the playoff win over Helena with 141 yards rushing. Other returning all-state selections include center Kyle Reitler and safeties Taylor Trollope and Trevon Strong.