High School SportsHigh School Football

Actions

Billings West’s Jesse Owens, Kalispell Flathead’s Blake Counts share offensive MVP; West’s Lucas Gibb takes top defensive honor

Posted
and last updated
Kalispell Flathead’s Blake Counts broke the school single-season rushing record in only eight games (MTN Sports photo).

After helping Billings West to the Class AA state football championship, Jesse Owens and Lucas Gibb earned MVP honors when the league determined its all-conference and all-state teams last week.

Owens, a senior, was an impact player at multiple positions for the Golden Bears, but was awarded the Eastern AA offensive MVP honor for his work at wide receiver. He shared the statewide offensive MVP honor with Kalispell Flathead senior running back Blake Counts, who was the Western AA’s offensive MVP. Counts set Montana’s single-season rushing record with 2,588 yards in helping the Braves to a runner-up finish.

Gibb, also a senior, played pivotal roles on both sides of the ball for West, as well. He was named the Eastern AA and statewide defensive MVP at safety. Alex Johnson, Helena High’s outstanding outside linebacker, earned Western AA defensive MVP honors.

Class AA’s full all-state and all-conference teams are below. For honors teams from Montana’s other football classifications, please click here.

Class AA all-state

First team

Quarterback: Kris Brown, Bozeman, sr.; Josh Erbacher, Billings West, jr.

Running back: Blake Counts (MVP), Kalispell Flathead, sr.; Demarcus Carr, Billings West, jr.

Fullback: McCade O’Reilly, Bozeman, jr.

Tight end: Ryan Lonergan, Bozeman, sr.

Wide receiver: Jesse Owens (MVP), Billings West, sr.; Anthony Jones, Kalispell Flathead, sr.; Kyle Torgerson, Great Falls High, sr.; Ryan Simpson, Bozeman, sr.; Junior Bergen, Billings Senior, so.

Offensive tackle: Andrew Siderius, Kalispell Flathead, sr.; Holden Sampson, Helena High, sr.; Kobe Nelson, Billings West, sr.; Spencer Warren, Bozeman, sr.

Offensive guard: Sebastian Koch, Kalispell Flathead, sr.; Nico Young, Kalispell Glacier, sr.; Conner Paul, Billings West, sr.

Center: Max Anderson, Kalispell Flathead, jr.; Justus Perkins, Bozeman, sr.

Athlete: Jaden MacNeil, Kalispell Flathead, sr.; Rylan Ortt, Missoula Sentinel, sr.

Defensive end: Tanner Russell, Kalispell Flathead, jr.; Ethan Baines, Kalispell Glacier, sr.; Kenneth Eiden IV, Bozeman, so.

Defensive line: Patrick Hammond, Kalispell Flathead, sr.; Nick Konesky, Great Falls CMR, sr.; Conner Paul, Billings West, sr.

Inside linebacker: Hugh Edward, Billings West, sr.; JJ Lindsey, Billings West, sr.; McCade O’Reilly, Bozeman, jr.

Outside linebacker: Alex Johnson, Helena High, sr.; Hayden Ferguson, Helena High, jr; Kade Wilcox, Billings West, sr.

Cornerback: Zach Spiroff, Helena High, sr.; Jesse Owens, Billings West, sr.; Trevin Gradney, Billings West, sr.; Kyle Torgerson, Great Falls High, sr.

Safety: Lucas Gibb (MVP), Billings West, sr.; Rollie Worster, Missoula Hellgate, jr.; Tucker Greenwell, Great Falls CMR, sr.

Kicker: Spencer Peppenger, Missoula Sentinel, sr.

Punter: Blake Thelen, Great Falls High, sr.

Long snapper: Peyton Hogan, Bozeman, jr.

Kick returner: Preston Blain, Kalispell Glacier, sr.

Punt returner: Elias DeWaters, Missoula Sentinel, sr.

Special teams: Tucker Greenwell, Great Falls CMR, sr.

Second team

Quarterback: Blake Thelen, Great Falls High, sr.; Matthew Plasterer, Billings Senior, sr.

Running back: Preston Blain, Kalispell Glacier, sr.; Joe Olson, Bozeman, sr.

Fullback: Brock Field, Missoula Sentinel, sr.; Cole Crosby, Kalispell Glacier, sr.

Tight end: Logan Siblerud, Kalispell Flathead, sr.; Fisher Richardson, Missoula Hellgate, sr.

Wide receiver: Brandon Coladonato, Missoula Hellgate, jr.; Drew Deck, Kalispell Glacier, jr.; Oran Nash-Bergen, Billings Senior, jr.

Offensive tackle: Garrett Lally, Kalispell Glacier, sr.; Konor McClafferty, Butte, jr.

Offensive guard: Tom Walkup, Bozeman, jr.; Jaden Bienvenue, Billings West, jr.

Center: Carter Slade, Billings West, sr.

Athlete: Ty McGurran, Helena High, sr.

Defensive end: Alaric Greil, Helena Capital, sr.; Ryan Lonergan, Bozeman, sr.

Defensive line: Andrew Siderius, Kalispell Flathead, sr.; Sebastian Koch, Kalispell Flathead, sr.; Garrison Poetzl, Billings Senior, sr.

Inside linebacker: Gunnar Landrum, Kalispell Flathead, sr.; Sam Sheppard, Helena High, sr.; Carl Anderson, Butte, sr.

Outside linebacker: Paxton Boyce, Kalispell Flathead, jr.; Max Evenson, Billings Senior, sr.

Cornerback: Chance Sheldon-Allen, Kalispell Flathead, jr.; Jace Dewalt, Missoula Sentinel, sr.; Junior Bergen, Billings Senior, so.

Safety: Ben Maehl, Missoula Big Sky, jr.; Blaise Meriweather, Missoula Sentinel, sr.; Zack Tallman, Billings West, jr.

Kicker: Everest Klein, Bozeman, sr.

Punter: Anthony Jones, Kalispell Flathead, sr.

Long snapper: Tyler Allen, Missoula Sentinel, sr.

Kick returner: Gabe Longin, Great Falls High, jr; Chance Sheldon-Allen, Kalispell Flathead, jr.

Punt returner: Zach Spiroff, Helena High, sr.

Special teams: Cooper Biegler, Helena High, sr.

Honorable mention

Quarterback: Rollie Worster, Missoula Hellgate, jr.; Tommy Mellott, Butte, jr.

Running back: Elias DeWaters, Missoula Sentinel, sr.; Grady Koenig, Helena High, sr.; Gabe Longin, Great Falls High, jr.; Kameron Moreno, Butte, jr.; Cade Nelson, Billings West, sr.; Gunner Hegg, Billings Senior, sr.

Fullback: Kaelan Casey, Helena Capital, jr.; Hayden Ferguson, Helena High, jr.; Hunter Morse, Billings West, jr.

Tight end: Alex Johnson, Helena High, sr.; Max Evenson, Billings Senior, sr.

Wide receiver: Jace Dewalt, Missoula Sentinel, sr.; Jack Colyer, Missoula Sentinel, sr.; Zach Spiroff, Helena High, sr.; Parker Johnston, Helena Capital, jr.; Ben Maehl, Missoula Big Sky, jr.; Lucas Gibb, Billings West, sr.; Chay Marsh, Billings West, sr.; Lucas Banderob, Great Falls High, sr.; Quinn Sullivan, Butte, jr.; Kash Kelly, Butte, sr.

Offensive tackle: Christian Unger, Missoula Big Sky, sr.; Patrick Hammond, Kalispell Flathead, sr.; Jacob Howell, Helena High, sr.; Levi Malcom, Billings West, sr.; Sam Potoczny, Great Falls High, sr.; Garrison Poetzl, Billings Senior, sr.

Offensive guard: Cole Dalager, Kalispell Flathead, jr.; Sam Severson, Missoula Sentinel, sr.; Brady Grigsby, Helena High, sr.; Lucas Kingston, Butte, jr.; Brandyn Lackey, Great Falls High, sr.; Zach Winter, Billings Senior, sr.

Center: Brandon Spencer, Missoula Sentinel, jr.; Blake Nichols, Helena High, sr.; Gage Felts, Billings Senior, sr.

Defensive end: Christian Unger, Missoula Big Sky, sr.; Brock Field, Missoula Sentinel, sr.; Jack Kanta, Helena High, sr.; Rylan Waananen, Butte, sr.; Bryce Depping, Great Falls CMR, sr.; Kobe Nelson, Billings West, sr.

Defensive line: Torin Jackson, Missoula Sentinel, jr.; Cody Crowley, Helena High, sr.; Sam Potoczny, Great Falls High, sr.; Spencer Warren, Bozeman, sr.

Inside linebacker: Keanan Horne, Helena High, sr.; Cole Crosby, Kalispell Glacier, sr.; Zane McCormick, Helena Capital, jr.; Ben Held, Great Falls High, jr.; Gunner Hegg, Billings Senior, sr.

Outside linebacker: Brandon Schmid, Missoula Sentinel, jr.; Kadyn Craigle, Helena Capital, jr.; Quinn Sullivan, Butte, jr.; Cade Nelson, Billings West, sr.; William Leep, Bozeman, sr.

Cornerback: Brandon Coladonato, Missoula Hellgate, jr.; Gus Hanson, Helena Capital, sr.; Seth Moon, Kalispell Flathead, sr.; Oran Nash-Bergen, Billings Senior, jr.; Kale McCarthy, Butte, sr.; Ryan Simpson, Bozeman, sr.

Safety: Cooper Biegler, Helena High, sr.; Garrett Frost, Kalispell Glacier, sr.; Brian Wells, Kalispell Flathead, jr.; Brendan Hill, Missoula Sentinel, sr.; Johnnie McClusky, Billings Senior, so.; Scout Allen, Butte, jr.

Kicker: Eric Gardner, Kalispell Flathead, jr.; Jim Sielestad, Missoula Big Sky, sr.; Brian Buschini, Helena Capital, sr.; Trevyn Roth, Butte, sr.

Punter: Cole Crosby, Kalispell Glacier, sr.

Long snapper: Holden Sampson, Helena High, sr.; Seth Moon, Kalispell Flathead, sr.; Quinn Sullivan, Butte, jr.

Kick returner: Noah Braden, Helena Capital, jr.; Connor Ryan, Billings West, jr.

Punt returner: Jesse Owens, Billings West, sr.; Brandon Coladonato, Missoula Hellgate, jr.; Oran Nash-Bergen, Billings Senior, jr.; Tucker Greenwell, Great Falls CMR, sr.

Special teams: Jett Rebish, Missoula Big Sky, jr.; Garrett Rieke, Kalispell Flathead, jr.; Kade Wilcox, Billings West, sr.

Eastern AA all-conference

First team

Quarterback: Kris Brown, Bozeman, sr.; Josh Erbacher, Billings West, jr.

Running back: Demarcus Carr, Billings West, jr.; Joe Olson, Bozeman, sr

Fullback: McCade O’Reilly, Bozeman, jr.

Tight end: Ryan Lonergan, Bozeman, sr.

Wide receiver: Jesse Owens (MVP), Billings West, sr.; Kyle Torgerson, Great Falls High, sr.; Ryan Simpson, Bozeman, sr.; Junior Bergen, Billings Senior, so.; Oran Nash-Bergen, Billings Senior, jr.

Offensive tackle: Konor McClafferty, Butte, jr.; Kobe Nelson, Billings West, sr.; Spencer Warren, Bozeman, sr.

Offensive guard: Conner Paul, Billings West, sr.; Tom Walkup, Bozeman, jr.; Jaden Bienvenue, Billings West, jr.

Center: Carter Slade, Billings West, sr.; Justus Perkins, Bozeman, sr.

Defensive end: Kenneth Eiden IV, Bozeman, so.; Ryan Lonergan, Bozeman, sr.

Defensive line: Nick Konesky, Great Falls CMR, sr.; Conner Paul, Billings West, sr.; Garrison Poetzl, Billings Senior, sr.

Inside linebacker: Hugh Edward, Billings West, sr.; JJ Lindsey, Billings West, sr.; McCade O’Reilly, Bozeman, jr.; Carl Anderson, Butte, sr.

Outside linebacker: Max Evenson, Billings Senior, sr.; Kade Wilcox, Billings West, sr.

Cornerback: Junior Bergen, Billings Senior, so.; Jesse Owens, Billings West, sr.; Trevin Gradney, Billings West, sr.; Kyle Torgerson, Great Falls High, sr.

Safety: Lucas Gibb (MVP), Billings West, sr.; Tucker Greenwell, Great Falls CMR, sr.; Zack Tallman, Billings West, jr.

Kicker: Everest Klein, Bozeman, sr.

Punter: Blake Thelen, Great Falls High, sr.

Long snapper: Peyton Hogan, Bozeman, jr.

Kick returner: Gabe Longin, Great Falls High, jr;

Punt returner: Jesse Owens, Billings West, sr.;

Special teams: Tucker Greenwell, Great Falls CMR, sr.

Second team

Quarterback: Blake Thelen, Great Falls High, sr.; Tommy Mellott, Butte, jr.; Matthew Plasterer, Billings Senior, sr.

Running back: Gabe Longin, Great Falls High, jr.; Kameron Moreno, Butte, jr.; Cade Nelson, Billings West, sr.; Gunner Hegg, Billings Senior, sr.

Fullback: Hunter Morse, Billings West, jr.

Tight end: Max Evenson, Billings Senior, sr.

Wide receiver: Lucas Gibb, Billings West, sr.; Chay Marsh, Billings West, sr.; Lucas Banderob, Great Falls High, sr.; Quinn Sullivan, Butte, jr.; Kash Kelly, Butte, sr.

Offensive tackle: Levi Malcom, Billings West, sr.; Sam Potoczny, Great Falls High, sr.; Garrison Poetzl, Billings Senior, sr.

Offensive guard: Lucas Kingston, Butte, jr.; Brandyn Lackey, Great Falls High, sr.; Zach Winter, Billings Senior, sr.

Center: Gage Felts, Billings Senior, sr.

Defensive end: Rylan Waananen, Butte, sr.; Bryce Depping, Great Falls CMR, sr.; Kobe Nelson, Billings West, sr.

Defensive line: Sam Potoczny, Great Falls High, sr.; Spencer Warren, Bozeman, sr.

Inside linebacker: Ben Held, Great Falls High, jr.; Gunner Hegg, Billings Senior, sr.

Outside linebacker: Quinn Sullivan, Butte, jr.; Cade Nelson, Billings West, sr.; William Leep, Bozeman, sr.

Cornerback: Oran Nash-Bergen, Billings Senior, jr.; Kale McCarthy, Butte, sr.; Ryan Simpson, Bozeman, sr.

Safety: Johnnie McClusky, Billings Senior, so.; Scout Allen, Butte, jr.

Kicker: Trevyn Roth, Butte, sr.

Punter: Tommy Mellott, Butte, jr.

Long snapper: Quinn Sullivan, Butte, jr.

Kick returner: Connor Ryan, Billings West, jr.

Punt returner: Oran Nash-Bergen, Billings Senior, jr.; Tucker Greenwell, Great Falls CMR, sr.

Special teams: Kade Wilcox, Billings West, sr.

Western AA all-conference

First team

Quarterback: Jaden MacNeil, Kalispell Flathead, sr.; Rylan Ortt, Missoula Sentinel, sr.

Running back: Blake Counts (MVP), Kalispell Flathead, sr.; Preston Blain, Kalispell Glacier, sr.

Fullback: Brock Field, Missoula Sentinel, sr.; Cole Crosby, Kalispell Glacier, sr.

Tight end: Logan Siblerud, Kalispell Flathead, sr.; Fisher Richardson, Missoula Hellgate, sr.

Wide receiver: Brandon Coladonato, Missoula Hellgate, jr.; Drew Deck, Kalispell Glacier, jr.; Anthony Jones, Kalispell Flathead, sr..

Offensive tackle: Andrew Siderius, Kalispell Flathead, sr.; Holden Sampson, Helena High, sr.; Garrett Lally, Kalispell Glacier, sr.

Offensive guard: Sebastian Koch, Kalispell Flathead, sr.; Nico Young, Kalispell Glacier, sr.

Center: Max Anderson, Kalispell Flathead, jr.

Defensive end: Alaric Greil, Helena Capital, sr.; Tanner Russell, Kalispell Flathead, jr.; Ethan Baines, Kalispell Glacier, sr.

Defensive line: Andrew Siderius, Kalispell Flathead, sr.; Sebastian Koch, Kalispell Flathead, sr.; Patrick Hammond, Kalispell Flathead, sr.

Inside linebacker: Gunnar Landrum, Kalispell Flathead, sr.; Sam Sheppard, Helena High, sr.

Outside linebacker: Alex Johnson (MVP), Helena High, sr.; Hayden Ferguson, Helena High, jr; Paxton Boyce, Kalispell Flathead, jr.

Cornerback: Chance Sheldon-Allen, Kalispell Flathead, jr.; Jace Dewalt, Missoula Sentinel, sr.; Zach Spiroff, Helena High, sr.

Safety: Rollie Worster, Missoula Hellgate, jr.; Ben Maehl, Missoula Big Sky, jr.; Blaise Meriweather, Missoula Sentinel, sr.

Kicker: Spencer Peppenger, Missoula Sentinel, sr.

Punter: Anthony Jones, Kalispell Flathead, sr.

Long snapper: Tyler Allen, Missoula Sentinel, sr.

Kick returner: Preston Blain, Kalispell Glacier, sr.

Punt returner: Elias DeWaters, Missoula Sentinel, sr.; Zach Spiroff, Helena High, sr.

Special teams: Cooper Biegler, Helena High, sr.

Second team

Quarterback: Ty McGurran, Helena High, sr.; Rollie Worster, Missoula Hellgate, jr.

Running back: Colter Janacaro, Missoula Big Sky, so.; Elias DeWaters, Missoula Sentinel, sr.; Grady Koenig, Helena High, sr.

Fullback: Kaelan Casey, Helena Capital, jr.; Hayden Ferguson, Helena High, jr.

Tight end: Alex Johnson, Helena High, sr.

Wide receiver: Jace Dewalt, Missoula Sentinel, sr.; Jack Colyer, Missoula Sentinel, sr.; Zach Spiroff, Helena High, sr.; Aidan Brus, Helena High, sr.; Parker Johnston, Helena Capital, jr.; Ben Maehl, Missoula Big Sky, jr.

Offensive tackle: Christian Unger, Missoula Big Sky, sr.; Patrick Hammond, Kalispell Flathead, sr.; Jacob Howell, Helena High, sr.

Offensive guard: Cole Dalager, Kalispell Flathead, jr.; Sam Severson, Missoula Sentinel, sr.; Brady Grigsby, Helena High, sr.; Dakota Friesen, Missoula Hellgate, jr.

Center: Brandon Spencer, Missoula Sentinel, jr.; Blake Nichols, Helena High, sr.

Defensive end: Christian Unger, Missoula Big Sky, sr.; Brock Field, Missoula Sentinel, sr.; Jack Kanta, Helena High, sr.; Fisher Richardson, Missoula Hellgate, sr.

Defensive line: Max Andrews, Missoula Big Sky, jr.; Torin Jackson, Missoula Sentinel, jr.; Cody Crowley, Helena High, sr.

Inside linebacker: Keanan Horne, Helena High, sr.; Cole Crosby, Kalispell Glacier, sr.; Zane McCormick, Helena Capital, jr.

Outside linebacker: Brandon Schmid, Missoula Sentinel, jr.; Kadyn Craigle, Helena Capital, jr.

Cornerback: Brandon Coladonato, Missoula Hellgate, jr.; Gus Hanson, Helena Capital, sr.; Andrew Gardanier, Missoula Big Sky, jr.; Seth Moon, Kalispell Flathead, sr.

Safety: Cooper Biegler, Helena High, sr.; Garrett Frost, Kalispell Glacier, sr.; Brian Wells, Kalispell Flathead, jr.; Brendan Hill, Missoula Sentinel, sr.

Kicker: Eric Gardner, Kalispell Flathead, jr.; Jim Sielestad, Missoula Big Sky, sr.; Brian Buschini, Helena Capital, sr.

Punter: Cole Crosby, Kalispell Glacier, sr.

Long snapper: Holden Sampson, Helena High, sr.; Seth Moon, Kalispell Flathead, sr.

Kick returner: Chance Sheldon-Allen, Kalispell Flathead, jr.

Punt returner: Brandon Coladonato, Missoula Hellgate, jr.

Special teams: Jett Rebish, Missoula Big Sky, jr.; Garrett Rieke, Kalispell Flathead, jr.