The Blaine County Journal News-Opinion - We've Got The County Covered

The Chinook Sugarbeeters have been hard at work, practicing twice a day since the first day of practice August 11.

First year head coach Christian Lehnert along with his first year assistant Willie Miller will guide the 2017 Sugarbeeter this fall.

Lehnert isn't new to the program having served as an assistant the last three years before taking over the head coaching duties this season.

Miller was a standout football player and wrestler for the Sugarbeeters before graduating in 2010.

Practices have been intense and the energy level has been extremely high.

This years group includes seniors J.J. Colby, Tamer Jamieson and Steven Mulonet.

Juniors looking to make major contributions in the coming weeks are: Trajan Hannum, James Christenson, Brendan Edwards, Ryle Elliot, Tye Mitchell, Chase Moxley, Karson Powell and Ross Reed.

Sophomores looking to see some action are: Sam Dumas, Josh Gillett, Kurtis Hamilton, J.T. Hauer, Reubin Swenson and Reilly Weigand.

Freshman include: Favion Courturier, Benton Elliot, Reese Elliot, Damon Hannum, Ethan MacLeod, Garrett Pruttis and Erik Pula

The Sugarbeeters play their first game of the season this Saturday when they hit the road to take on the Choteau Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs, long time members of the District 2B now find themselves in Northern Eight Man Football ranks.

The contest will be an interesting one as the Bulldogs are new to Eight Man football and the Sugarbeeters wont be able to game plan the way they normally would For any other team.

Coach Lehnert said he'll have his team ready to just play football and be prepared for whatever the Bulldogs may bring.

Preparing for the start of the season and the Bulldogs has been going as scripted for the team, "I would say our first 10 practices have been very good. We have gotten a lot of stuff put in defensively and offensively," stated Lehnert. "The kids have been working very hard and getting mentally and physically in shape and have been very upbeat about that."

Lehnert is more than familiar with the program having been an assistant the past three seasons and being the man in charge hasn't changed the way he approaches the game, "I really haven't taken any different spin on anything or change my approach or change my philosophy by any means. I've always been here for the kids and will always be here for the kids. That's the reason why us coaches do this is for the kids and for the love of the game," commented Lehnert.

The Sugarbeeters also welcome back to the sidelines a pair of volunteer assistants who are very familiar to those who follow Sugarbeeter Football.

Matt Molyneaux and Perry Miller coached together for many seasons and guided the Sugarbeeters to their first State Championship in 2010.

"Matt and Perry both stepped up to help as volunteers. Both have brought their wisdom and years of service and have been a great asset to Willie and I as we are early in our coaching journey," Lehnert said.

Everyone has expectations at the start of the season and regardless of what expectations for this team are from others the team itself is starting to develop expectations of their own.

"Our seasonal goal right now is to get a playoff berth. I believe we have the kids/team to achieve that goal. If we control the things we can control, play hard every second of the game, execute and play fundamental football we can achieve our goals," concluded Lehnert.

Following the opener the 'Beeters will host a familiar foe in Chester-Joplin-Inverness.

Realignment has the Northern Eight Man Football Alignment competing with two subdivisions 'A' and B'.

Chinook is in the 'B' Division and will face Cascade at home on Friday, September 8 to begin divisional play.

The team will then hit the road to take on Fort Benton, Friday, September 15. They will follow that with a visit to Rocky Boy on Friday, September 22.

The 'Beeters will return home the following week when they will host the Simms Tigers in the schools Homecoming game. The team will also pay tribute to their seniors at half time of the contest

They will close out the regular season on Saturday, October, 7 when they head to Centerville to face the Miners.

The new setup includes a seeded playoff the eighth week of the season and will pit the 'A' division versus the 'B' division to determine the four playoff teams.

One will play one and the twos will play the threes. Those contests will determine who makes the playoffs.

The remaining teams will play as well, four versus four, five versus five and six versus six. The teams that don't make the playoffs will then have the option to add a game the following week.