2017 Frontier Conference Football Preview: WR's/TE's

For several teams, there are going to be some changes at the quarterback position this coming season in the Frontier Conference, while others are already set. Either way, however, the wide receivers and tight ends will play a major role in how explosive offenses are around the league in 2017.

And, all over the Frontier, there are some very good pass catchers.

At Montana State University-Northern, the receiver position has been one of youth and inexperience the last couple of seasons. And while the Lights will be breaking in a new starting quarterback this fall, the receiver position could end up being one of the team's strengths.

The Lights did graduate several of their top pass catchers from a year ago, including star running back Zach McKinley, who led the team with 25 catches. However, at receiver, Northern has some talent ready to emerge, including Sam Mix (6-1, 190), Donovan Garner (5-8, 175) and Beau Wilhelm (6-0, 200). Wilhelm had a huge spring for the Lights, while junior Seth Roemmele (6-0, 190) also gives Northern some experience at the WR position.

And while the Lights don't have anyone returning with big numbers, Northern does bring back one of the very best tight ends in all of the Frontier. Senior Kagen Khameneh (6-3, 225) is a three-year starter and has a ton of experience in the Frontier games. Last season, he caught 17 balls and averaged 15 yards per catch, and he'll certainly be the leader of the pass catching group this fall.

Meanwhile, there are some stars around the league who should dazzle when it comes to catching passes this season. Carroll College has a couple of them, including junior Connor Fohn (6-1, 195). Fohn earned First-Team All-Conference accolades last season, after catching 61 passes for 887 yards and nine touchdowns. Fohn is easily one of the most explosive playmakers in the Frontier, and when you add up-and-comer Troy Arnston (5-8, 170) to the mix, the Saints have a chance to be very dangerous offensively this season.

Montana Tech also has a true star at WR in junior Dion Williams (6-1, 195). The speedy Williams earned All-Conference honors a year ago, catching 52 balls for 984 yards and eight scores. He'll be complemented well by senior Sean Sullivan, who caught 23 passes last fall for Tech and star QB Quinn McQueary.

And while Fohn and Williams are certainly dangerous and explosive, there may well be no one in the Frontier as dynamic and dangerous as Eastern Oregon's Calvin Connors (5-9, 175). Connors is known for his excellence in the return game, but a year ago, he also blossomed into a top-flight WR, catching 36 passes. EOU will be breaking in a new QB as well this season, but, whoever gets the nod will be aided, not only by the return of Connors, but also senior Josh Richards (5-10, 180). Richards paced EOU with 50 catches for 697 yards and five scores on his way to All-Conference honors last year as well.

Southern Oregon is kind of like the Eastern Washington of the NAIA, as in the Raiders always seem to produce great wideouts. And while the graduated Matt Retzlaf will be difficult to replace, the Raiders do return Jason Shelley (6-2, 175), who caught 34 passes a year ago, as well as Bronson Ader (5-11, 200), who caught 30 balls himself a year ago. That duo, along with standout Ben Bachman (6-2, 230), will be called upon to help keep the high-flying passing attack at SOU going this season.

Speaking of tight ends, there is perhaps no better tight end in all of NAIA football than the senior at College of Idaho. Marcus Lenhardt (6-4, 255) is a three-time All-Conference performer, and he earned NAIA All-American honors a year ago after catching 67 passes for 1,021 yards and five touchdowns. For his career, Lenhardt has averaged a whopping 16 yards per reception, and he's led C of I in receptions each of the last two seasons. And with his size and speed, Lenhardt is already being watched by NFL scouts as a potential 2018 draft pick.

Others to keep an eye on catching the ball this season include C of I's Shayne Robinson (5-11, 190). Though the Yotes don't throw the ball a ton, Robinson made his presence felt last season, collecting 37 catches for upwards of 400 yards and five TDs. Rocky Mountain College could also have a good one in transfer Max Gray. The 6-0, 185-pound receiver led NCAA Division II Chadron State in receptions last year. RMC also has a big threat at tight end in junior Brandon Mosely.

Editor's Note: This is the fourth installment in the Havre Daily News' annual preview of the upcoming Frontier Conference football season. For a look at the top linebackers in the conference, see Wednesday's HDN.