The Eagles, Missoula's only playoff team in 2007, start the post-Beau Donaldson era this fall, which could be enough to make some coaches change their ways.
Or maybe not?
A playoff run is the only kind of run these Eagles care about now. They made it a year ago, but lost to eventual State AA champion Helena Capital in the first round to cap a 5-6 season.
This team would like to showcase the same level of talent as last year's team, but the loss of Donaldson, AA's top rusher in '07, has many schools picking Big Sky to be a bubble team in '08.
“We've been one-dimensional with (former fullback) Carter McGrath and Beau, but we have a chance to become more diversified,” said Ekegren, “and that's going to help our attack.”
Aside from losing Donaldson, the Eagles graduated seven all-state players including Big Sky's second-leading rusher from a year ago, Justin Montelius, who joined Donaldson in moving up to the Montana Grizzlies.
The Eagles are looking at several players to take over the reins from the school's leading rusher, led by heir apparent senior Trevor Kamura, and juniors Glen Maricelli and Eddie Apostol.
At running back, Big Sky has its eyes on senior Jordan Tripp, junior TJ Ruiz, who's wearing Donaldson's old number (No. 35), and maybe senior Brooks Nuanez, whose speed makes him a threat out wide, too.
At quarterback, 6-foot-2 senior Joey Petritz takes over the varsity squad after mostly running the JV in '07. Petritz may be joined by senior Mike LaValley, one of Big Sky's six returning starters.
LaValley, one of the state's better basketball players a year ago, should be more involved with the Eagles' offense this season as a pass catcher.
“He's a good receiver,” Ekegren said. “He's really improved in that area. He's a really heady player being the point guard he is. We could play him at quarterback, too, if we ever needed that. He's pretty versatile.”
Also at receiver are seniors Brandt Montelius, Kevin McHugh and Thayne Palmer, who has two older brothers that play for the Griz.
Senior Evan Klaudt will start at tight end and defensive end. He missed time a year ago with a knee injury, but will be a starter again this season.
LaValley is another two-way starter in the secondary. Drew Owens started at cornerback last season as a sophomore.
Big Sky's defense figures to be a strong point this season. A solid group of linebackers led by Tripp (6-2, 202 pounds) and Nuanez (6-1, 200) will make it tough on opposing offenses.
“Those two guys there,” Ekegren said. “They've both started at linebacker, they've both got lots of speed and lots of experience.”
Seniors Kody Reed and Sean Means will be inside, and Reed, who's a bit undersized at 5-11, 205, returns on the line on offense, too.
“We're not big in terms of size, but we're lean and we're in good shape,” Ekegren said. “We had the best weightlifting summer we've ever had.”
There's also seniors Alex Cummings (5-10, 225) and Ryan Parrish (6-4, 235) back on the O-line. They'll play two ways, but with 94 players in the senior through sophomore classes, that's not necessary, said Ekegren.
“It's early, but we've got good numbers,” he said, “and I like our work ethic.”
Missoula Big Sky
Coach: Gary Ekegren (Montana, '63), 19th year, 81-95 at Big Sky, 174-160 overall.
Last made playoffs: 2007, lost to Helena Capital in opening round.
Returning starters: 6
Playmaker: RB/LB Jordan Tripp, a 202-pound senior, is a tough-nosed runner/defender, and could be the next Big Sky player to move on to the Div. I ranks.
Players to watch: WR/DB, Mike LaValley, 183, sr.; QB Joey Petritz, 180, sr.; FB/LB Trevor Kamura, 190, sr.; TE/DE Evan Klaudt, 215, sr.; WR/LB Brooks Nuanez, 200, sr.; OL/DL Alex Cummings, 225, sr.; OL/DL Ryan Parrish, 235, sr.; OL/LB Kody Reed, 205, sr.; WR/DB Drew Owens, 152, jr.
Opener: At Great Falls High at 7:30 p.m. on Friday.
Class AA data
2008 forecast
1. Billings West (4) 147
2. Helena High (6) 146
3. Helena Capital (3) 141
4. Great Falls CMR 119
5. Great Falls High 109
6. Kalispell Flathead 91
7. Bozeman 78
8. (tie) Missoula Big Sky 73
Billings Skyview 73
10. Missoula Sentinel 58
11. Billings Senior 52
12. Butte 38
13. Kalispell Glacier 36
14. Missoula Hellgate 22
(First-place votes in parentheses. Points based on a compilation of predictions by league coaches.)
2007 standings
League Overall
W L W L
Helena Capital 9 1 12 1
Billings Senior 8 2 10 3
Billings West 8 2 9 3
Great Falls CMR 8 2 8 3
Helena High 7 3 8 4
Great Falls High 7 3 7 4
Kalispell Flathead 6 4 6 5
Missoula Big Sky 5 5 5 6
Bozeman 4 6 4 6
Billings Skyview 3 7 3 7
Butte High 2 8 2 8
Missoula Sentinel 2 8 2 8
Missoula Hellgate 1 9 1 9
Kalispell Glacier 0 10 0 10
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