BUTTE — After going 6-4 last season the Montana Tech Orediggers are trying to make a change. They lost a few key players in the offseason, but that doesn’t seem to worry head coach Chuck Morrell.
His goal is to search for the team’s identity, ultimately leading them to success.
“We’ve got a lot of good veteran guys that can lead the squad,” Morrell said. “I think when you get into fall camp leadership is everything. We’ve got to make sure we’re establishing identities, and I think they’re doing a really good job.”
Montana Tech is returning seven players on offense and eight on defense, including standout linebacker Connor Wines, who had 22 solo tackles and 10 sacks in the 2017 season.
“We lost some really good offensive guys and defense knows we have to pick it up,” Wines said. “Defense takes care of the offense and offense takes care of the defense.”
On the offensive side of the ball, a quarterback battle ensues. Former quarterback Quinn McQueary led the team last season with approximately 3,000 total offensive yards, a feat that won’t be easy to repeat.
However, there is hope for the offense in wide receiver Dion Williams, who had more than 1,000 receiving yards and nine touchdowns last season.
“I try to contribute to the team as much as I can over the years, that’s how I’ve always been,” Williams said. “Personal goals don’t matter to me — it comes as we win and do our jobs.”
With a full week of fall camp under their belts, the Orediggers were excited to put on the pads Friday. When it comes to specific goals, senior defensive end Brock Beede has just one thing in mind.
“Win the (national championship),” he said. “Start one at a time, win the first game, win the (Frontier) Conference, then win the (national championship), I think that’s everyone’s thought right now.”
The Orediggers open up their season on the road at College of Idaho on Sept. 1.
