BOZEMAN — On Thursday night at Bozeman High School, there was some football action taking place as Billings West traveled to Bozeman to play seven on seven.
“It’s good to get to see the kids kind of get out and compete a little bit and put this really nice facility to use," said Bozeman head coach Levi Wesche. "We live in one of the most beautiful spots in America, why not get out and be outdoors?”
No matter what happens this upcoming season for the defending Class AA state champion Hawks, Wesche is just happy to see his players on the gridiron again.
“I just want to see the kids compete, get better," he said. "It’s not about winning today, can’t win a state championship in July. What it is about, is just kind of focusing on competing, bettering yourself and getting out and having fun with your friends because, really, that’s what team sports are about, is the guys you play with.”
Even though every football team is dealing with setbacks due to COVID-19, it’s not an excuse for the Hawks.
“Do I feel like we’re where we are normally at this time of the year? No," Wesche said. "At the same time, I think everybody’s in the same boat. You got to make the best of whatever situation you have and most important thing to me right now is we have a season, so whatever it takes to get there.”
However, not having a weight room the past few months will have a significant impact.
“Strength-wise, we’re probably behind, honestly, three months from where we would normally be, and we probably won’t be where we would have been ever -- as far as if we had a full offseason,” said Wesche.
As of right now, Wesche is optimistic for getting games in this season.
“I think we’re going to do everything we can to have a season," he said.
However, it might be without fans.
“Right now I think if we stay in Phase 2, I don’t know that we’ll have fans," Wesche said. "If for some reason we’re able to get into Phase 3, which would be nice, I think we’d start bringing fans back. As of right now, my guess is for at least the start of the season, there would be no fans in the stands.”
