Maroons show speed, quickness in preseason scrimmage

By Bruce Sayler

Athleticism will be the major plus for Butte Central this football season, going by what the team showed Saturday in its Maroon-and-White Scrimmage on the Bob Green Field at Montana Tech.
The Maroons got breakaway touchdowns from Danny McCarthy, Jack Nagle, Henly Mansanti, Kelton Keane, Jaxon Hiatt and GG Fantini in quick strikes through the air and speed on the ground in an explosive offensive directed by senior quarterback Ryan Peoples through pre-scrum 11-on-7 drills.
Head coach Don Peoples Jr., kicking off year 37 at the helm, said his nephew is three inches taller and 20 pounds heavier than in his junior season when he was a first-year starter at QB.
“We have eight starters back on both offense,” coach Peoples said in an optimistic tone. “The kids have grown a lot. Then, we have some new kids who are fitting in nicely, so optimism is high.”
So are the numbers. The coach said 35 players are in this year’s BC camp, a dozen more than last season. The roster includes about 10 freshmen and a welcome infusion from the athletic boys’ basketball program as brothers Joshua and Noah Sutton along with Cade “Buzz” Kelly have donned the pads.
The 11-on-11 controlled showcase Saturday saw Peoples throw a 21-yard TD pass to junior Joshua Sutton, and also find junior Fantini on a TD screen pass. Keane, a junior and a third-year starter, was a favorite pass target again. Fantini and freshman Mansanti led the ground game. Hiatt, a sophomore, started in the secondary last year and punted, saw duty at running back in the scrimmage.
Texas senior transfer Manny Weang also displayed speed and athleticism Saturday and figures to factor in the BC attack.
“McCarthy was fourth in the State 100 (at the state Class A track meet) last spring,” coach Peoples said. “He ran 11.39 (seconds) at State and he has gotten better vision of his field running the ball. He’s a strong kid and explosive.”
Some work has been going on with the line, both sides. Returnees include junior Jack Nylund and senior JJ Taylor as starter. Junior Gunnar O’Brien has been moved to the trenches from the backfield, as have Burkley Lakkala and McCarthy’s twin brother, Robert.
“In the line, we’re not going to have the biggest front, but we’re very athletic,” coach Peoples said. “We’re athletic and the kids all run well.”
Quickness will be what the Maroons hope to exploit, the coach noted.

“Jack Nagle and Kelton Keane caught the ball well today,” he added. “We five or six receivers have a good day. “Danny McCarthy, Fantini, Hiatt and Mansanti all ran the ball well.”
The younger players looked eager, too, with freshmen Conor Hardy and Maurice West both making big plays in the scrimmage – Hardy, batting down a pass in the end zone and West on a stop to thwart a big gain. Sophomore Palmer Kellicut posted a sack while starring on defense.
Freshman Noah Sutton and senior Tony Stajcar backed Peoples at quarterback, and Stajcar also lined up at receiver on offense, and played well defensively.
The Maroons will take on a new opponent to open the season. They will play the Lockwood Lions on Friday in a non-conference clash. Butte Central has played in Lockwood before, just not against the home team. The BC squad played Glendive there during a 2000 non-conference tilt. The school opened in 2019.
The Maroons’ first home game is set for September 5 versus Polson.