BILLINGS – The Class B football all-stars kick off Friday night at Rocky Mountain College. It’ll be the North against a South team that showcases two players who overcame different obstacles on their way to all-star careers.
Manhattan receiver Cal Holgate transferred from Belgrade after his sophomore season with only one career catch. Then Holgate built back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons for the Tigers.
Then there’s Jefferson running back Nate Brunett, who persevered through an injury-filled career to still set school records in Boulder.
“After my wrestling season junior year, I had to go get my shoulder surgery, and it was kind of a repeat,” said Brunett. “I had a back injury and never thought I’d get back from it.
“But I had a wonderful physical therapist and even better teammates that said, ‘Get back out there and keep working,’ and I kept grinding through physical therapy and got my shoulder back.”
Holgate, meanwhile, says he’s enjoyed every step of his journey.
“It’s just been really fun,” said the wideout. “The whole process, like freshman year getting to watch and stuff, learning from all the seniors, it was fun. When I came to Manhattan, things took off.
“I think it was getting the opportunity, having the guys around me, coaches and stuff, they really believed in me and when they believed in me, I guess I just did it for them.”
The Class B all-star game kicks off Friday at 7 p.m. on Herb Klindt Field at Rocky Mountain College.
