WHITEHALL — The Class B football powerhouse in southwest Montana, also known as the Whitehall Trojans, are learning to cope with loss.
After winning 10 games straight, their only loss was the one that had the ability to finish their season; a quarterfinal loss to Shelby in the playoffs.
“Yeah, it’s on my mind a lot. It’s a rough ending so we just have to keep plays here and there that turn the game around,” Senior running back Sawyer Keener said.
They also lost former wide receiver Wyatt Alexander after the season. The current Montana Tech Oredigger had 1,441 receiving yards and 19 touchdowns in his senior season alone.
“It’s really hard to replace a Wyatt Alexander,” Head Coach Dan Lacey said of the adjustment, although there is a silver lining.
“We have three guys coming back who caught over twenty balls. We can spread it around quite a bit and we’re going to lean on our running game a little bit.”
The Trojans definitely have a few voids to fill in terms of loss, but they do have hope in veteran quarterback Max Feight.
“He was our second leading rusher last year, he had over 600 yards rushing as a quarterback so that’s something really dynamic he can do,” Head Coach Dan Lacey said.
Lacey still remains hopeful, preaching his team theme ‘win the day’.
“It means every day have a great attitude,” quarterback Max Feight said. “Coming to practice every day ready to go, ready to learn, and get better day to day.
And part of that theme means keeping their eyes on the first opportunity they have to prove themselves: the playoffs.
“The ultimate goal is the state championship,” Keener began, “but taking everything one day at a time.”
“Once you get to the playoffs everyone is 0-0 and its a whole new season.”
The Trojans open up their season on Saturday August 25th against Colstrip.
