Badlands Bowl selections

[VimSince03]

Here are my selections "quoted" and the actual selections below each quote:

QB

Kaleb Winterburn (Helena High) - 6'1", 195 lbs.
Levi Janacaro (Missoula Big Sky) - 6'1", 220 lbs. (Run the rock! Winterburn can be the throwing QB)

Selections:

Kaleb Winterburn (Helena High) - 6'1", 195 lbs.
Aaron White (Shelby) - 6'2", 190 lbs. - QB

RB

Drew Turner (Kalispell Glacier) - 6'0", 210 lbs.
Lane Sumner (Huntley Project) - 5'8", 186 lbs. (Sumner can play in the slot if need be)
Ben Voss (Billings Central) - 5'10", 175 lbs.

Selections:

Drew Turner (Kalispell Glacier) - 6'0", 210 lbs.
Lane Sumner (Huntley Project) - 5'8", 186 lbs.

WR

Gabe Sulser (Billings Senior) - 5'9", 165 lbs.
Logan Kleinhans (Bozeman) - 6'2", 195 lbs.
Nick Germer (Missoula Sentinel) - 6'2", 175 lbs.
Mark Estes (Kalispell Glacier) - 5'10", 180 lbs.

Selections:

Gabe Sulser (Billings Senior) - 5'9", 165 lbs.
Logan Kleinhans (Bozeman) - 6'2", 195 lbs.
Ty Chouinard (Hamilton) - 5'11", 165 lbs.
David Koppang (Missoula Loyola) - 6'0", 195 lbs.

TE

Max Morris (Kalispell Glacier) - 6'4", 245 lbs.

Selections:

Levi Janacaro (Missoula Big Sky) - 6'1", 220 lbs.
Treyton Pickering (Sunburst) - 6'6", 225 lbs.

Center

Conor Quick (Helena Capital) - 6'2", 265 lbs.
Zach Fussell (Hamilton) - 6'3", 265 lbs.

Selection:

Gerrit Bloemendaal (CMR) - 6'3", 255 lbs.

Guard

Carson Shuman (Helena Capital) - 6'3", 250 lbs.
Trey Copeland (Huntley Project) - 6'2", 270 lbs.
Dawson Hoerauf (Whitehall) - 6'2", 265 lbs.

Selections:

Dawson Hoerauf (Whitehall) - 6'2", 265 lbs.
Tanner Harrell (Shepherd) - 6'1", 240 lbs.
Conor Quick (Helena Capital) - 6'2", 265 lbs.
Justin Brown (Miles City) - 6'4", 220 lbs.

Tackle

Joe McElroy (Missoula Loyola) - 6'5", 250 lbs.
Trevor Welnel (Helena Capital) - 6'3", 250 lbs.

Selections:

Joe McElroy (Missoula Loyola) - 6'5", 250 lbs.
Trevor Welnel (Helena Capital) - 6'3", 250 lbs.

Defensive Line (Tackle and/or End)

Karson Wheat (Deer Lodge) - 6'2", 275 lbs.
Caeden Suero (Helena High) - 6'0", 235 lbs.
Brandon Aimsback (Browning) - 6'4", 260 lbs. (could also go play offensive tackle)
Justin Jenks (Helena Capital) - 6'2", 230 lbs.
Logan Kolodejchuk (Columbia Falls) - 6'2", 238 lbs.
Tanner Harrell (Shepherd) - 6'1", 240 lbs. (could also go play guard)
Jory Choate (Bozeman) - 6'1", 200 lbs. (can also play linebacker)

Selections:

Jory Choate (Bozeman) - 6'1", 200 lbs.
Caeden Suero (Helena High) - 6'0", 235 lbs.
Justin Jenks (Helena Capital) - 6'2", 230 lbs.
Logan Kolodejchuk (Columbia Falls) - 6'2", 238 lbs.
Michael Lee (Kalispell Flathead) - 6'4", 270 lbs.

Linebackers

Nolan Askelson (Billings Senior) - 6'2", 210 lbs.
Blake Allred (Billings Senior) - 6'0", 200 lbs.
Seth Schneider (Helena Capital) - 5'10", 215 lbs.
Brandon Morley (Missoula Sentinel) - 6'0", 195 lbs.

Selections:

Nolan Askelson (Billings Senior) - 6'2", 210 lbs.
Blake Allred (Billings Senior) - 6'0", 200 lbs.
Seth Schneider (Helena Capital) - 5'10", 215 lbs.
Conner Nash (Helena High) - 6'0", 190 lbs. - LB
Tyler Buckingham (Billings West) - 6'0", 210 lbs.
Colton Grange (Drummond/Phillipsburg) - 5'11", 180 lbs.
Jackson Pepe (Kalispell Glacier) - 6'1", 200 lbs.

Cornerbacks

Ben LaBeau (Billings Senior) - 6'1", 170 lbs.
Ty Chouinard (Hamilton) - 5'11", 165 lbs.
Brock Peterson (Livingston) - 5'10", 180 lbs.

Selections:

Damien Nelson (CMR) - 5'10", 165 lbs.
Tyler Dobie (Bozeman) - 6'1", 170 lbs.

Safety

Garrett Graves (Eureka) - 6'3", 190 lbs. (can roll down to OLB)
David Koppang (Missoula Loyola) - 6'0", 195 lbs.
Jackson Pepe (Kalispell Glacier) - 6'1", 200 lbs. (can also roll down to OLB)

Selections:

Austin Green (Columbia Falls) - 5'11", 175 lbs.
Nick Germer (Missoula Sentinel) - 6'2", 175 lbs.

Notable names not on list (selection or alternate):

Garrett Graves (Eureka) - 6'3", 190 lbs. (likely declined)
Carson Shuman (Helena Capital) - 6'3", 250 lbs. (likely declined)
Trey Copeland (Huntley Project) - 6'2", 270 lbs. (likely declined)
Brandon Morley (Missoula Sentinel) - 6'0", 195 lbs. (likely declined)
Max Morris (Kalispell Glacier) - 6'4", 245 lbs. (likely not selected)
Brandon Aimsback (Browning) - 6'4", 260 lbs. (likely not selected)
Ben LaBeau (Billings Senior) - 6'1", 170 lbs. (likely not selected)

Alternates:

Bridger Bauder (Hamilton) - 5'10", 195 lbs. - RB
Ben Voss (Billings Central) - 5'10", 175 lbs. - RB
Alec Lovegren (Sidney) - 5'9", 175 lbs. - RB
Hayden Guisti (Jefferson) - 6'1", 190 lbs. - RB/LB
Kadin Lahti (Missoula Big Sky) - 5'8", 160 lbs. - RB/DB
Mark Estes (Kalispell Glacier) - 5'10", 180 lbs. - WR
Zach Dinardi (Miles City) - 6'1", 170 lbs. - WR/DB
Robby Keiser (Glendive) - 6'3", 175 lbs. - WR/LB
Colten Curry (Valier) - 6'7", 215 lbs. - TE
Layne Swigart (Sidney) - 6'2", 195 lbs. - TE/DL
Hayes Meged (Miles City) - 6'1", 220 lbs. - OL/DL
Bruce Spang (Billings Skyview) - 6'3", 250 lbs. - DL
Karson Wheat (Deer Lodge) - 6'2", 275 lbs. - DL
Nick Clawson (Billings West) - 6'2", 260 lbs. - DL
Corbin Wood (Ennis) - 6'0", 180 lbs. - LB/S
Tanner Wood (Ennis) - 6'0", 180 lbs. - LB/S
Micah Ans (Billings Senior) - 6'0", 170 lbs. - S
Caleb Knoche (Forsyth) - 6'0", 185 lbs. - S

 

[VimSince03]

Notes/Thoughts on the Badlands Bowl roster selections:

Quarterback - Kaleb Winterburn was a shoe-in to be at least one of the QBs then it came down to Aaron White, Garrett Graves, and Levi Janacaro. White got the selection, Graves declined an invite (will likely report early to the Griz this summer), and Levi was selected as a TE (fullback). Overall, no surprises here.

Running Back - Drew Turner and Lane Sumner were widely considered by the end of the year as the best backs in the state. Levi Janacaro will likely be a part of this group because his selection as a TE is more of a fullback selection. I had Ben Voss getting a selection as a third back but he instead got an alternate spot. Again, no surprises.

Wide Receiver - Sulser and Kleinhans got selections (as expected). After that there was some reshuffling when compared to my personal selections. My other two WR selections were Nick Germer and Mark Estes. Instead, Germer got placed at safety (surprising) and Estes got an alternate spot (surprising). The other two WR selections went to Tyler Chouinard and David Koppang. Now, it is not surprising that those two were selected to the Badlands Bowl roster. But to fully maximize the roster, I would have put Germer and Estes at WR because that way you have elite speed receivers in Sulser/Estes and savvy, possession receivers in Kleinhans/Germer. Chouinard and Koppang are outstanding receivers but I would have used them on defense.

Tight End - Janacaro and Treyton Pickering got the nods. Janacaro will be more of a fullback and Pickering will be the true TE. Pickering got selected over Colten Curry & Layne Swigart (who are both alternates). My selection was Max Morris but he either declined an invite to join the Griz in the summer or he didn't get selected. Regardless, this game will be Treyton Pickering's first time playing in an actual 11-man game...a great opportunity for him to show off his skill set. As for Janacaro, he will do what he always does: run over everyone in front of him.

Center: Gerrit Bloemendaal of CMR got the selection. Gerrit continues to earn accolades after his 1st-Team All-State senior campaign at center for the Rustlers. His selection means Conor Quick can move back over to guard, the position he played up until his senior year for Helena Capital. Anyway, Gerrit is a smart center who gets to his spot in the run game and doesn't get bulled over in pass pro. I selected Quick and Hamilton's Zach Fussell at center but I'm not surprised Gerrit got a selection. Glad he gets another opportunity to man the middle of the offensive line.

Guard: Dawson Hoerauf of Whitehall was my only selection that made the final Badlands roster at guard. Carson Shuman and Trey Copeland were my other two selections and they were not listed as selections or alternates which likely means they declined to join their college programs (Washington State and Montana Tech, respectively) early this summer. Anyway, the other three selections to join Hoerauf are Conor Quick, Tanner Harrell, and Justin Brown. Spoke about Quick above but I had Harrell as a defensive line selection with the remark that he could also play guard. Brown is the tallest/leanest of the four and could also get reps at tackle. Hoerauf is the biggest "mauler" of the four while Quick and Harrell are experienced pullers in the run game. Overall, my only surprise was Justin Brown getting a selection.

Tackle: Joe McElroy and Trevor Welnel were my two selections at tackle and that's who the coaches selected as well. No surprises here as they were the top 2 offensive tackle prospects throughout the whole recruiting process.

Defensive Line: I loaded up the defensive line with seven selections and only four linebacker selections but the Badlands roster went with five d-lineman and seven linebackers. 4/5 defensive line selections were also on my selection list: Choate, Suero, Jenks, and Kolodejchuk. The kid I didn't select was Michael Lee (my selection was Brandon Aimsback). The biggest surprise was Karson Wheat only getting an alternate spot. Other than that, this is a formidable group of defensive lineman. These five kids are ass-kickers.

Linebackers: Arntson loaded up on linebackers. 3/4 of my selections made the team: Askelson, Allred, and Schneider. My other selection, Brandon Morley, did not make the list as a selection or alternate but knowing his talent level, he likely declined an invite. If the opposite happened, the coaches didn't watch a Sentinel game last fall. The rest of the selections were Conner Nash (Co-Western AA Defensive MVP), Tyler Buckingham (1st-Team AA All-State OLB), Colton Grange (Class C All-State), and Jackson Pepe (HM AA All-State at safety). I didn't select Nash or Buckingham due to basic roster limits but they are very good linebackers who definitely deserve to play in this game. I had Pepe as a selection at safety and he still could get reps there as he is the most versatile of this group. The biggest surprise is Colton Grange getting a selection. The head coach of Drummond/Philipsburg is an assistant in this game so it makes sense he got a selection but I thought more talented players deserved a spot over him. I felt the Wood twins from Ennis were better overall linebackers. Regardless, Colton is still a great football player with good instincts at outside linebacker so glad he gets a chance to prove himself.

Cornerback: Damien Nelson (CMR) and Tyler Dobie (Bozeman) are the two selections. Both made my Top 10 CB list for the 2018 Montana Recruiting Class. However, my selections included Ben LaBeau (Billings Senior), Brock Peterson (Livingston), and Tyler Chouinard (selected as a WR). Overall, not very surprised because I knew Damien and Tyler were good corners but I had LaBeau and Peterson scouted as better cornerbacks. Damien's best skill set is speed (is the fastest kid in the state) and Tyler has excellent length.

Safety: Austin Green (Columbia Falls) and Nick Germer are the safety selections. I had Austin Green as a Top 10 Safety for the 2018 class. However, Germer getting selected at safety was surprising. Two selections at WR (Koppang and Chouinard) were All-State safeties in high school and I would swap one of them with Germer (which still could happen as the coaches can play kids wherever they want). Not saying Nick isn't a good enough athlete to play safety because I could see him excel at playing centerfield. Again, I thought one of the Wood twins from Ennis could've been selected at safety. This secondary group does not have a physical presence (which might show up in run support) but they should be excellent in coverage. Green is the most physical of the four and it is good to remember that Pepe or Grange can play either OLB or safety. Garrett Graves declining took away some talent from this safety group.

For final numbers, eight Griz and eight Bobcat signees were selected to play in this game with Graves being a 9th.

 

[obiwan]

Some surprises. Probably hardest for me to swallow is Ben Voss being an alternate. This is from pure personal bias. I did not watch the two rbs selected and they are no doubt deserving but Voss put up some astronomical numbers last year.

 

[VimSince03]

Some surprises. Probably hardest for me to swallow is Ben Voss being an alternate. This is from pure personal bias. I did not watch the two rbs selected and they are no doubt deserving but Voss put up some astronomical numbers last year.

Voss did have better and/or comparable stats to both. Might be a little UM/MSU vs. Montana Tech bias in the selection as two players signed with FCS programs and the other went NAIA. I felt Ben Voss deserved to be a selection for the Badlands Bowl roster and his production (both offensively and defensively) backs that up.

Turner: 9 Gms - 211 carries - 1666 yards - 7.9 ypc - 185.1 ypg - 7 100+ games - 23 rushing TDs (23 total)
Sumner: 10 Gms - 208 carries - 1592 yards - 7.7 ypc - 159.2 ypg - 6 100+ games - 15 rushing TDs (17 total)
Voss: 11 Gms - 193 carries - 1676 yards - 8.7 ypc - 152.4 ypg - 8 100+ - 23 rushing TDs (27 total)

 

[Sam A. Blitz]

Very good writeup Vim. Every year there seems to be several of the top players that choose to decline the invite. Still a good looking squad. Getting Sulser, Graves and Askelson to play is a big deal. Too bad Graves and Shuman turned it down. Would have been cool to see them showcase their talents in this game.

 

[HowardRoss280]

Very good writeup Vim. Every year there seems to be several of the top players that choose to decline the invite. Still a good looking squad. Getting Sulser, Graves and Askelson to play is a big deal. Too bad Graves and Shuman turned it down. Would have been cool to see them showcase their talents in this game.

Agreed. I wouldn’t have mind seeing Graves Shuman and some of the other kids who declined out their kicking some Dakotan ass

 

[VimSince03]

Very good writeup Vim. Every year there seems to be several of the top players that choose to decline the invite. Still a good looking squad. Getting Sulser, Graves and Askelson to play is a big deal. Too bad Graves and Shuman turned it down. Would have been cool to see them showcase their talents in this game.

Agreed. I wouldn’t have mind seeing Graves Shuman and some of the other kids who declined out their kicking some Dakotan ass

Keep in mind, I am assuming some of these kids declined. But dots should be connected for kids like Graves, Shuman, and even Morley and Copeland.

 

[HowardRoss280]

Very good writeup Vim. Every year there seems to be several of the top players that choose to decline the invite. Still a good looking squad. Getting Sulser, Graves and Askelson to play is a big deal. Too bad Graves and Shuman turned it down. Would have been cool to see them showcase their talents in this game.

Agreed. I wouldn’t have mind seeing Graves Shuman and some of the other kids who declined out their kicking some Dakotan ass

Keep in mind, I am assuming some of these kids declined. But dots should be connected for kids like Graves, Shuman, and even Morley and Copeland.

For sure. Graves Shuman Morley and Copeland are all good enough to be chosen for the game, and more than likely declined to get to summer ball earlier. I don’t blame them, it just would have been cool to see them kick some ass

 

[Richard Cranium]

Like always the Square Heads from Nodak have another Huge team 2 guys 300 or more, 4 others are 270 or more. Montana doesn't have one player 270 or more.

 

[Ursa Major]

Like always the Square Heads from Nodak have another Huge team 2 guys 300 or more, 4 otherds are 270 or more. Montana doesn't have one player 270 or more.

As they say in Grand Fargo, cellulite makes right.

 

[CDAGRIZ]

RC, I don't like that you fixed the typo "otherds".
Somehow, otherds is a perfect term to describe a group of NoDaks who weigh over 270, and I will forever call them that.

 

[Ursa Major]

RC, I don't like that you fixed the typo "otherds".
Somehow, otherds is a perfect term to describe a group of NoDaks who weigh over 270, and I will forever call them that.

Speaking of the otherds, where are all the undsu fans who usually chime in on the board? Is it already Spring Harvest in Nodak? You know, that tradition each spring when they all gather by the tree in Grand Fargo and attempt to tap it for syrup. You’d think that after 104 unsuccessful years that one of them would have realized that the tree is an elm and not a maple.

 

[CDAGRIZ]

RC, I don't like that you fixed the typo "otherds".
Somehow, otherds is a perfect term to describe a group of NoDaks who weigh over 270, and I will forever call them that.

Speaking of the otherds, where are all the undsu fans who usually chime in on the board? Is it already Spring Harvest in Nodak? You know, that tradition each spring when they all gather by the tree in Grand Fargo and attempt to tap it for syrup. You’d think that after 104 unsuccessful years that one of them would have realized that the tree is an elm and not a maple.

It never hurts to double check.

-Otherds

 

[runtheoption]

RC, I don't like that you fixed the typo "otherds".
Somehow, otherds is a perfect term to describe a group of NoDaks who weigh over 270, and I will forever call them that.

Speaking of the otherds, where are all the undsu fans who usually chime in on the board? Is it already Spring Harvest in Nodak? You know, that tradition each spring when they all gather by the tree in Grand Fargo and attempt to tap it for syrup. You’d think that after 104 unsuccessful years that one of them would have realized that the tree is an elm and not a maple.

It never hurts to double check.

-Otherds

Mmmmm, syrup.

-Otherdtheoption