The Chinook Sugarbeeter Football and Volleyball teams have been hard at it since the first day of practice back on August 12.
The teams both enter the season with high expectations and as always the goal is for a strong post season run
Sugarbeeter Volleyball
The 'Beeter Volleyball program is once again led by Head Coach Paula Molyneaux and assisted by Tess Langford. The roster is solid top to bottom, and so far everything is on track for a good season, "Practice is going well. We have 24 total team members and they are working hard. As always it seems that there is never enough practice time to do everything, but we feel confident in our basics," commented Molyneaux.
Returning to the lineup this fall is senior Bree Swanson, an All-State, All-Conference selection from a season ago. Also back is junior Hallie Neibauer an All-Conference pick as a sophomore a season ago.
Seniors Lexi Pitkanen and Torin Cecrle along with juniors Mya Berreth and Teagan Richman bring varsity experience to this years squad.
Senior Belle Elliot along with junior Jenna Liddle and sophomores Sami Malsam, Alexus Seymour, Addison Olsen, Rilee Molyneaux and Ashlyn Jensen will look to strengthen the varsity line up.
Sophomores looking to step up this fall include Neva Lowe, Brianna Boettcher, Gracie Skoyen, Madilyn Gruszie and Hannah Schoen. Freshman getting their first taste of high school volleyball include Falyn Cecrle, Tayla Richman, Brooke Fetter, Olivia Bartlett, Mara Edwards and Kylee Green.
As far as the make up of her team, Coach Molyneaux has an idea of where things are after just a couple of weeks, "With only two weeks under our belt the team is just starting to learn their roles and their team culture and composition is being developed. New starters to the varsity are Belle Elliot, Addison Olsen and Rilee Molyneaux. They are fitting in nicely and working hard."
The younger kids are working hard and getting better with each practice, "The junior varsity level has a lot of freshman and sophomore age players. They are an up and coming group who will push everyone to be better. Five of them also have potential to help at the varsity level, Alexus Seymour, Sami Malsam, Hannah Schoen, Ashlyn Jensen and Jenna Liddle," added Molyneaux.
Heading into the season every team has its variables that coaches have to identify and adjust throughout the season. Coach Molyneaux takes a consistent approach, "It is hard to know what to expect, we view every match the same. Respect the team on the other side of the net and play to our potential."
New roster, new varsity lineup, the expectations for the post season don't change much, "For the post season, our goal will be to qualify for the (Northern C) Divisional which is hosted in Chinook and then qualify for state. We do have a strong league with great competition. I look forward to the Beeters improving as a team every week, and relentlessly pursuing our goals," concluded Molyneaux.
The 'Beeters fell on the road in Big Sandy 3-0 to open the season and defeated the Centerville Miners 3-0 to begin the year 1-1. Chinook's home contest include North Star (9/1), Fort Benton (9/8), Highwood (9/10), Chester/J-I (9-/16), Hays/Lodge Pole (9/27), Big Sandy (9/28) and Box Elder (10.13). Road games will be played in Box Elder (9/15), North Star (9/23), Centerville (9/24), Chester (10/7), Fort Benton (10/8), Highwood (10/15), and Hays (10/18).
The District 7C will be in Fort Benton October 27-29. The Northern C Divisional will take place the following week in Chinook with the State Tournament being in Bozeman, November 10-12.
Sugarbeeter Football
The 'Beeter Football team is once again under the direction of Head Coach Mike Jones. Assisting the 'Beeter Football team this fall are Matt Molyneaux, Roy Kelly and Scott Schmitt.
The 'Beeter roster includes 27 student athletes led by five All-Conference returning seniors, Daniel MacLeod, Lane Hasler, Tyler Schoen, Levi Jensen and Braxton Inman. Senior Flint Annis saw plenty of action a season ago and will look to play a much bigger roll this fall.
Juniors returning include, Danny MacKenzie, Quentin Edwards, Kaden Green and Jackson Nordboe. Sophomores back for year two include Carson Nissen, Brockton Elliot, Gauge Chapman, Jacob Metcalf, Hendrix Doney, Landen Beck, Oliver Standiford, Kohen Sullivan, and Kalled Jaha.
Freshman looking to make a little noise in their first year of high school ball include, Ayden Alisch, Brit Powell, Griffen Crowley, Keagan Green, Zeke Sanders, Owen Davies, Robin Morin and Wyatt Olmstead.
Coach Jones likes his group of returning starters and backups who saw significant action a season ago, "We have back Tyler Schoen, an All-State Running Back and Linebacker, Daniel MacLeod an All-Conference Offensive and Defensive Lineman. Lane Hasler (Honorable Mention), Braxton Inman (Offensive/Defensive line) All-Conference and Levi Jensen (Quarterback/Safety) All-Conference as well as Flint Annis. (Sophomore) Landon Beck got some experience last year and is needing to step into a starting role this year."
Identifying the leadership on this years squad is very easy, "Our seniors are incredible leaders on and off the field. They are doing a great job bringing this team together," said Jones.
Heading into their first game of the season against Culbertson, Coach Jones knows exactly what he wants to see, "Culberston is a good team out of the east, returning playoff team. We are hoping to establish the run game and be physical on the line of scrimmage. On the defensive side of the ball we want to make them one dimensional and be stuck in some third and long situations. Special teams is a big facet of the game, we can't give up any big plays but instead want to make at least two or three big plays to swing the game."
The 'Beeters followed Coach Jones game plan to a tee, winning the opener 38-32 over the Cowboys from Culbertson.
Coach Jones and his team always have high expectations and this year is no different, "Our goal is to be undefeated at home and host a playoff game. The Northern C has changed a little bit with the whole Eight-Man Classification going to five divisions. I think this is good for the ever expanding Eight-Man division. It allows for all teams to play each other in conference and then some cross over games in our non-conference spots. I think you will start to see good competition set teams apart from each other within the regular season," concluded Jones.
The 'Beeters will travel to Park City week two before returning home to host Shelby in a Homecoming contest on September 9. The Wildcats will be the opponent in Harlem, September 16. The 'Beeter will be in Fort Benton September 23, and then have an open week the following week following the cancellation of the Thunderbirds season.
Rocky Boy on the road October 7 and Belt in the season finale October 14 will conclude the regular season. A potential first round playoff game will take place on October 29.