Visions of a state championship in 6-man football can only be realized in Big Sandy if the Pioneers are well-balanced this season.
Not necessarily in their mix of the running and passing game. It should come as no surprise to fans or foes alike to see the purple and gold rely on heavy doses of standout junior rusher Kade Strutz carrying the ball.
Instead, the Pioneers as a unit will have to find and maintain a sweet spot. They need to confidently play up to their lofty potential without getting cocky and overly enamored with the hype that surrounds such a promising season. When the "Friday night lights" went on over the field for the second session of the first two-a-day, the light of a camera from a Great Falls television station capturing the first gridiron snaps of the fall in Big Sandy also shone bright.
"We don't win a state championship (by) just showing up," head coach Larry Jappe told his team at the first practice. "We need to work hard, practice hard and keep working on our (execution). I will have you run these plays again and again and again to make them sharp."
"We're under a big spotlight," assistant coach Tucker Taylor also acknowledged to the team, adding "we have got all the talent in the world but hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard."
Jappe has a lengthy history with Pioneer football, having last held the head coaching position in 2006, he said, with plenty of years as a coordinator on both sides of the ball since that time. Though he coached defense for last year's 8-3 state quarterfinalist squad, he described his approach as more offensive-minded. His personnel should fit that philosophy well in 2019.
"We got an all-state running back (Strutz) and that's all he did last year was knock people on their butts," Jappe said. "Kade and (senior fullback) Brock (Proulx) were all-state players last year and (senior offensive end) Clint (Darlington) really should have been named an all-conference player last year."
The quality and experience of the Pioneers are impressive but so is the sheer number of 19 players on the roster for the opening day of practice.
"I've got three full teams," Jappe said. "There's been a time when I had seven guys dressed and ended (the game) with five guys. I didn't have this many when I was coaching 8-man."
He attributed the strong turnout to increased overall class sizes at the high school this year, including transfer students, and "we're winning, so kids want to play ball."
"It's going to be hard for these freshmen to take a position from these guys," Jappe said, pointing to more than a dozen upperclassmen.
Yet if the Pioneers play the way they are capable, "all these kids should see a lot of playing time this year," he said.
The depth chart for Big Sandy starts out solid with junior Parker Proulx returning at quarterback, brother Brock Proulx and Strutz in the backfield, and ends Darlington and junior Brady Pleninger on the line to either side of senior center Hunter Jappe. Senior Ryan Roth is slated as the Pioneers' go-to receiver and a threat whenever the "O" lines up in the spread formation.
On the defensive side of the ball, there may be greater competition, with Darlington, Strutz, the Proulx brothers, Roth and Pleninger penciled in as starters but more likelihood of players moving up and down.
Among those hungry to contend for a greater share of the snaps are seniors Elijah Wagoner, returning from an ACL injury that sidelined him last season, and Chris Burns, a transfer from Box Elder.
"He's going to be a good addition," Jappe said of Burns, a multi-sport standout for the Bears. Burns' resumé includes Havre Daily News Athlete of the Week honors for a 100+ yard rushing performance with two touchdowns in a Northern C 8-man contest against Hays-Lodge Pole in 2017.
Also expected to suit up this season and compete for spots are senior Caedon Tielking; juniors Cam Schwarzbach and Dillin Geyer; sophomore Hester Cook; and freshmen Matthew Bendig, Kody Strutz, Rusty Gasvoda, Tannin Baumann, Lance Rutledge and Braydon Cline.
The Pioneers' cast of returnees and newcomers alike will be tested immediately with fellow 6-man front-runner Jordan scheduled for a Friday, Aug. 30, visit to Big Sandy. The varsity game is set to kickoff at 7 p.m. following a junior high matchup at 4 p.m.
"The word is Jordan is the team to beat this year," Jappe said. "In the first game, we'll find out."
The Mustangs travel from Garfield County for the opener after finishing last season in the state championship game, which they lost 70-27 to Wibaux. The same Longhorns squad ended the Pioneers' playoff run two rounds earlier, but by a somewhat lesser margin of 46-14. Wibaux lost some of its key players to graduation, however, leaving Jordan and Big Sandy among those hoping to dethrone them as champs.
To achieve that goal of a state crown, Parker Proulx said the Pioneers have to remain focused.
"It's showing up to practice every day and working hard every day," Proulx said.
Strutz said he recognizes every defense he encounters will be keyed in on trying to stop him.
"I have to just keep doing what I do and do it a little better," he said.
His teammates suggested he may have the advantage of running behind the best offensive line in the state's 6-man classification.
"By far," Darlington said.
Strutz and Brock Proulx have the added motivation of the potential for continuing their football careers on Saturdays. Proulx has been recruited by Southern Utah University as well as Dixie State, an NCAA Division II program that will make the jump to the Division I FCS level in 2020. He said he has also been contacted by Montana Grizzlies running backs coach Justin Green and told by Montana Tech staff they will be scouting some Big Sandy games.
Strutz, meanwhile, said he had "a good show out at camp at Bozeman" this year. As a junior, he has two seasons ahead of him to make an impression on recruiters for the Montana State Bobcats and others.
Brock Proulx promised the Pioneer faithful "if people come to the games, it will be well worth their time" to witness the "teamwork, camaraderie and chemistry" developing this season.
Strutz agreed that the larger the crowd on the sideline and in the bleachers, the greater the motivation and fun for the players on the field.
