Frontier Preview: Skill guys aplenty

Last week, the Frontier Conference made the difficult decision that many people were anticipating. There will be no football in the league this fall.

Still, while the league will try for a spring season due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, since we here at the Havre Daily News had already started our annual position by position Frontier Conference previews, we intend to continue, and finish it.

So, we continue on with a look at the top wide receivers in the Frontier, and the league has some outstanding pass catchers that we all hope we'll see this spring.

Among the best of the best returning to the Frontier this coming season is Montana Tech's Trevor Hoffman (6-4, 205). As a sophomore, Hoffman burst onto the scene leading the league in every receiving category, including averaging 101 yards per game, and he was the only receiver to break the 1,000-yard barrier. He also had 52 grabs, and will be a huge weapon for new Tech head coach Kyle Samson.

Montana Western had an excellent offense last season, and the Bulldogs return some great receivers, led by the duo of returning All-Conference performer Nate Simkins (5-10, 165) and the speedy Trey Mounts (5-8, 170). Simkins caught 55 passes for 830 yards a year ago, and Mounts was a stud all-purpose player for head coach Ryan Nourse.

Another star returner in the Frontier is Carroll College senior Shane Sipes (6-2, 195). He had a huge season a year ago, with 56 catches for 972 yards, and overall, was second in the league in receiving on his way to First-Team All-Conference honors.

Rocky Mountain College always has a stable of great receivers, and senior Lucas Overton (6-1, 200) will lead that crew again. In 2019, Overton caught 67 passes for 700 yards, and he could do even bigger things this coming season.

College of Idaho junior Hunter Juarez (6-1,190), an All-Conference performer last season, as well as Eastern Oregon's Saige Wilkerson (6-4, 205) and Southern Oregon's Khalil Hudons (6-0, 200) could all be difference makers when Frontier football returns.

Of course, Montana State University-Northern head coach Andrew Rolin knows he has some game-changers at wide receiver, even though he graduated a superstar in Bryce Bumgartner.

The Lights return senior lead Marvin Williams Jr., (5-8, 160), who is now a four-year starter. A year ago, Williams Jr., racked up 433 yards one 33 catches, and led the Lights in touchdowns. Returning sophomore Jake Horner (5-10, 175) also came on strong for the Lights a year ago, catching 25 balls for 355 yards, and should be even better this season. Dorian Miles, a transfer from FCS Kennesaw State should be a good one as well.

"I love our wide receivers and tight end," Rolin said. "We've got some really good guys and some young guys and newcomers that are going to make us very deep there."

The Lights are deep at tight end, too. Jared Eisenbarth (6-1, 220) and Levi Keltner (6-6, 220) both saw extensive time at tight end a year ago, and should make the Lights very strong at that position, as well.

Speaking of tight ends, Carroll returns an All-Conference standout in Tony Collins (6-4, 225), who was the Saints second-leading receiver a year ago, while Rocky's Andrew Simon (6-1, 220) and EOU's Conner Falk (6-2, 230) are also returning standouts in the Frontier.

Editor's Note: The Havre Daily News' look at the upcoming Frontier Conference football season, now moved to spring, will continue with a look at the top linebackers in the league in Thursday's HDN