Football players honored at annual team banquet

By JORDAN DAWSON / Bigfork Eagle

Head football coach Bruce Corbett and his staff celebrated the Bigfork High School football team's efforts this season at a banquet last Thursday.

Players and their families enjoyed items from the pot-luck dessert buffet while Corbett talked about the season. He started off by acknowledging his coaches for all of their contributions to the team. He then thanked the Booster Club and the Gridiron Club for their support and for providing the team with needed funding for equipment. Also on his list for recognition were the parents who gave their support, time and effort to help their sons be on the team. He gave special credit to the 23 parents who made up the "small army" that organized the team dinners on the Thursday nights prior to football games.

After summarizing the struggles and successes of the team's season, Corbett read the names of the those that received varsity letters for the season. He then brought the squad leaders to the front of the room. Jerry Rose, Donny Tudahl, Kenny Patrick and Anthony Curtis were selected by the coaches at the beginning of the season to act as both leaders and liaisons between the coaches and players. The team captains, Travis Knoll, Garrett Pewe, Carson Sneed and Scott Taylor, were also credited for their contributions to the team.

The first award of the night, the coach's award, was given to Tudahl.

"I've coached a lot of players over the years, and I can honestly say that he is one that fits the category of being one that I will always remember," Corbett said.

The most improved award left the coaches struggling to choose just one player. So they chose both Garrett Hibs and Patrick.

"They both contributed fully and kept making outstanding plays throughout the season," Corbett said.

Coach James LaFontaine gave the award for MVP of special teams to Tudahl, mentioning his unwavering success snapping the ball this season.

The award for offensive MVP went to Cheyne Valentine.

"He played great throughout the year," LaFontaine said. "He always ran his routes and caught a lot of balls this season."

Coach Zac Rupe presented the award for defensive MVP to Brandon McDonald.

"He has a lot of heart and love for the game," Rupe said. "I relied a lot on this young man."

The honor of most inspirational went to Sneed.

"He was willing to play any position," LaFontaine said. "He just loved getting in there and playing. He was willing to do anything we needed him to do. He was a player that was looked up to by all the other players."

When Corbett took the floor back he asked the froshmore team to stand and he spoke about their hard work this season, as well as their future potential.

Then it was time for the last award of the night; team MVP. Again, the coaches couldn't decide, so they selected both Pewe and Tudahl for the honors.

"This award is for the player who is the most valuable to the team in leadership and consistent contribution, because of that we couldn't decide between these two players," Corbett said.

After Corbett read the names of the players selected to the All-Conference team, it was the players' turn to present. They concluded the evening by giving each of their coaches a large white plate autographed by the team.