by Scott Sacry, Sports Editor
Darby
The Darby football team looks strong heading into the 2025 season as they return most of their playmakers from last year. The Tigers had a solid 2024 season, going 4-4, and hope to improve this year.
Darby plays 8-man football, where they are in the West Conference with Arlee, Charlo, Plains, St. Ignatius, Seeley-Swan, St. Regis, Superior, Troy, and Victor.
Darby head coach John Steiner is excited about his team this year. “The team looks very good,” said Steiner. “We’ve had a consistent off season weight lifting program and all of the guys are a year older so that makes a huge difference. We didn’t lose much from last year’s team, I have about 25 kids out and we have a lot of depth. So I have very high expectations this year.”
The Darby football team looks to have a breakout season in 2025. Darby senior McCoy Townsend looks to be one of the Tigers’ biggest playmakers. Photo by Scott Sacry.
The Tigers return a lot of weapons from last year’s team. Senior McCoy Townsend is a playmaker all over the field and will anchor a deep team.
Steiner expects big things from junior Jordan Browning and sophomores Chris Moore and Gavin Anderson, and has some strong freshman players who should contribute.
“We haven’t been to the playoffs legitimately in like 35 years,” said Steiner. “I plan to change that.”
Darby opens their season at Plains where they play the Horsemen on Friday, August 29 at 7 p.m.
Corvallis
The Corvallis football team has been solid the last few years. They made the state semifinals in 2023, and last year they went 5-4 and made the playoffs where they lost in the first round to Columbia Falls.
Corvallis is in the Class A Southwest Conference with Hamilton, Dillon, Butte Central, Frenchtown, and Stevensville.
The Blue Devils lost a big core group of seniors from last year’s team and are looking for a new crop of players to step up. Corvallis head coach Josh McCrossin is excited for the season.
“The team had a great off-season with a lot of players stepping up to take on new roles,” said McCrossin. “There’ll be six starters returning on each side of the ball and you can expect to see a lot of Aydan Spencer (Junior-WR/S), Reese Tucker (Sr-QB/S), Kade Bowles (Sr-RB/LB), Maurice Craun (Sr-TE/LB), Caleb Johansen (Jr.-RB/LB), as well as Aidan Emerson (Soph.-OL/DL).”
Corvallis hosts Polson in their season opener on Friday, August 29 at 7 p.m.
Florence
The Florence Falcons are one of the elite Class B football programs in Montana. They won three straight state championships in 2021, 2022, and 2023. Last year Florence finished the season with a 10-2 record, and made it to the Class B state semifinal game where they lost to eventual champion Malta.
Florence is in the Class B West Conference with Anaconda, Eureka, Loyola, Deer Lodge, and Thompson Falls.
Florence returns two all-state selections from last year in seniors Brody Duchien (WR/DB) and Bridger Alexander (DE/TE). Also returning is junior Jake Schneiter who was first team All-Conference on defense at LB and second team on offense.
Florence is a well coached, deep team, and should be in the mix come playoff time – expect some new names to make major contributions this year.
Florence’s season begins at home against the Three Forks Wolves on Friday, August 29 at 7 p.m.
Hamilton
Hamilton has traditionally been one of the best Class A football teams in the state, as they won the Class A State title in 2021 and are generally in the mix at the end of the year. Last year was an off year for the Broncs as they finished with a record of 2-6.
Don’t expect Hamilton to stay down too long. They have an experienced coaching staff led by head coach Bryce Caver and they return an experienced group of young play makers, including senior Jackson Lubke, who was named All-State and first team All-Conference at WR. Hamilton has a deep roster of players looking to make their mark this season.
Hamilton is in the Class A Southwest Conference with Corvallis, Dillon, Butte Central, Frenchtown, and Stevensville. The Broncs open the season at Ronan on Friday, August 29 at 7 p.m.
Stevensville
Stevensville was 0-9 on the season last year, but the ‘Jackets new head coach Jack Villa hopes to improve on that record this season. The ‘Jackets return a core group of young athletes, including junior Shan Madula, who was honorable mention All-Conference on offense at WR.
Stevensville is in the Class A Southwest Conference with Hamilton, Dillon, Butte Central, Frenchtown, and Corvallis.
Stevensville opens the season against the Hardin Bulldogs in Hardin on Friday, August 29 at 7 p.m.
Victor
The Victor football team went 1-7 last year. Head coach Zach Schurman has a solid group of kids to work with and hopes to get some more wins this season.
Victor plays 8-man football, and is in the Class C West Conference with Arlee, Charlo, Plains, St. Ignatius, Seeley-Swan, St Regis, Superior, Troy, and Darby.
The Pirates open their season at Troy on Saturday, Aug. 30 at 1 p.m.