Havre's Korb heading to Montana Tech

Over the past few years, Nate Korb has forged quite an athletic career for himself at Havre High School. During his time as a Blue Pony, he has played football, basketball and tennis.

Next season, however, Korb will turn his focus to football only, and he will do that in the Mining City as he has committed to play college football for Montana Tech of the Frontier Conference.

Korb, who has been weighing offers from both Tech and Montana State University-Northern, chose the former Thursday, agreeing to play for the Orediggers, who are the two-time defending Frontier Conference champions.

“It was between Tech and Northern,” Korb said. “Rocky had interest, but they never offered me and I never went down there for a visit. I just liked the atmosphere (at Tech). I went down there a couple times and the coaching staff is great and they have a great program. They have it going in the right direction and keep building on it, and they are getting better and better. The school is also excellent and that really made my decision.”

The three-sport athlete has played varsity football for the Ponies since the 2014 season, when he saw significant time as a wide receiver. Yet Korb really broke out during his junior year on the gridiron. He was a starting wide out and a starting safety. Korb finished his junior year with 42 tackles but also finished with an interception, three passes defensed, two forced fumbles and a defensive touchdown. His played earned him Honorable Mention All-Conference in the Central A. On the offensive side of the ball, he added nine receptions for 133 yards and a touchdown.

As a senior, Korb’s played improved even more. He finished 2016 with two more interceptions. He also had some good days as a receiver, including a nine-catch game against Belgrade. He also stood out as a return specialist on kickoffs and punts.

In addition to his skills on the football field, Korb is also in the midst of his third season starting for the Havre boys basketball team. Korb is currently the team’s leading scorer with 9.4 points per game and he has started in each of the past two seasons. He is also an All-Conference tennis player. He will play doubles for the Pony varsity team for the fourth straight spring and has helped Havre High win three straight Central A championships.

“Nate is a tremendous athlete,” Blue Pony head tennis coach George Ferguson said. “He’s just one of those kids who you love to coach. He works hard at everything he does. In school, on the football field, on the basketball court and on the tennis court. He gives 100 percent of himself in all three of his sports. He’s very unselfish, and those things rub off on everyone else around him. He’s got all those intangible things you look for in an athlete. I’ve known Nate for a long time now, and I can say, Tech is getting a good one. He will be one of those guys that will have an impact on their program someday because he’ll give them everything he’s got, on the field and off of it.”

Korb was recruited by the Diggers as a wide receiver and he will join the team this summer after graduation. He will pursue a degree in either engineering or construction and will join former Havre High teammate Jase Stokes in Butte, who signed with Tech as a running back last fall.

“Tech wanted me as a receiver,” Korb said. “But that was not a big factor for me. I like playing on both sides of the ball. But having Stokes there helped. It will definitely be nice having Stokes there with me since we have been best friends for so long.”

Korb and the Havre basketball team have three weeks left of the regular season before the Eastern A Divisional tournament. The senior will then take part in tennis for the Ponies this spring.