KALISPELL — Kalispell Glacier opened fall practice Friday as the reigning champions of Class AA football.
But this year will look a little different for Glacier after graduating multiple starters from last year’s team.
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It's a challenge Glacier coach Grady Bennett is eager to face head-on this season.
“I've been doing this a long time, but when we start there's always that fresh sense,” Bennett said. “That optimism, right, just to get it going again and see what this year's team can accomplish.”
One of the most notable changes this year is who will take the snaps at quarterback for the Wolfpack after three-year starter Jackson Presley graduated.
Bennett says a starter has not been named, but both prospects, Cash Keim and Lathum Leeper, have instilled confidence in him and the team.
“We're still going to compete through fall camp,” Bennett said. “We'll see if one of them really emerges, but I believe we have two kids that can win us football games.”
No matter who will be lined up under center this year, every position group has been competing and making their teammates better.
Senior lineman Jesse Baines says the offense and defense have worked hard at pushing each other, building up chemistry and staying well fed afterwards.
“We love being physical, you know, just going at it head to head every day with each other,” Baines said. “We're able to just eat after whatever, go to Costco, get some chicken bakes, hot dogs.
Bennett hopes that chemistry will help carry his team through two tough matchups in a state championship rematch against Billings West and a matchup against Bozeman High.
Bennett will not be on the sideline for the first two games due to a suspension for a recruiting violation.
“Honestly, on Friday nights, besides smiling a lot and cheering for the guys, I don't do much,” Bennett said. “So our program's going to be in great shape, and our kids are going to handle it well as well as our coaches.”
Even with all these challenges ahead of them, players like senior receiver Cooper Pelc are eager to build off last year’s success and try to repeat last year’s championship.
“We're all pumped,” Pelc Said. “We've all been working all summer because last season was last season; it was great, but we got a new goal to work towards, and we're all hyped for that.”
