Young, thin Wildcats in a rebuilding mode

Rebuilding is the proper way to describe the Columbia Falls High School soccer program.

According to ninth-year head coach Peter Browne, the Wildcats enter the 2009 season with just 16 players on the roster. Anthony Hoelscher is the only senior with high school experience.

The Wildcats kick off the season Saturday with a conference game at Bigfork. Match time is 11 a.m.

Gone via graduation are six players from last year — goalkeeper George Kimerly, forward Chase Jackson, midfielders Travis Pete and Jason Hernandez, and defender Grant Getts. Pete was an all-state selection. Three other players who could have returned did not; one of them is running cross country and another moved out of the district.

"We have a skeleton crew this year," Browne said last week. "We're pretty young and we'll try to rebuild the program a little bit and get on track."

Juniors this year who return are Louis Grisez, Matt Hensley, Nate Holt and Jake Calderwood. Another junior, Matt Wilke, is out for soccer. Sophomores include Dylan Corbett, Alex VanHorn, Kevin Shea and Talen Stringer. Senior Junior Nichol is new to the team.

With only 16 players, the Wildcats are unable to go 11-on-11 in practice scrimmages.

"It presents a big problem in games because we don't have any depth," Browne said. "We just have to try to get better week by week."

With Kimerly gone, Calderwood steps into the role of goalkeeper. "He's doing a great job. He's risen to the occasion and working hard," Browne said. "He's going to save our bacon, hopefully."

In early practice sessions, Browne is unable to pinpoint who will play the forward positions, other than Hoelscher.

"We have to develop players into positions," the coach said. "We're very inexperienced."

The Wildcats ran a 4-4-2 offense last season, and that might have to be adjusted this year, according to Browne.

Holt and Corbett are expected to anchor the Wildcat defense.

"We need a game under our belts to see what's going on," Browne said. "We have to play really smart soccer. We can't play a kick-and-run game."

Due to substantial graduation losses, the Northern A Conference would be down a little in terms of overall strength. For instance, Class A state power Whitefish lost nine seniors.

"If we can advance and get in a playoff game it will be a great accomplishment," Browne said.

The Wildcats' home opener is Friday, Sept. 4 against Park County (Livingston). Game time is 4 p.m. CFHS hosts Belgrade at 2 p.m. Sept. 5.