Frontier Notebook: Saturday in LaGrande, somebody will get their first win

And they’re back.

This weekend marks the home stretch of the 2022 Frontier Conference football season.

Every team in the league is coming off the annual bye week, and play resumes Saturday with some huge games. College of Idaho visits Montana Western while trying to stay perfect on the season. The Yotes have risen all the way to No. 7 in the NAIA, and, if they keep winning, could end up with home field advantage in the playoffs, let alone their second Frontier title in three years.

Helena will be the site of another key showdown. Rocky Mountain College is also trying to keep pace with a 5-1 record. Saturday the Battlin’ Bears play in Helena, where they take on a tough Carroll College squad that, though they have two losses, isn’t out of the Frontier race, either.

In fact, four teams still have a shot. C of I is clearly in the driver’s seat, but Rocky, Carroll and Montana Tech all have plenty to still play for. This weekend, Tech will look to rebound with a game against Southern Oregon in Butte. The Raiders are the hottest team in the league right now, having won three straight.

Something’s gotta give

The Montana State University-Northern Lights are still in search of their first win under head coach Jerome Souers, and they’re hoping to repeat a little of 2021’s magic. Northern travels to LaGrande, Oregon, Saturday where the Lights will play winless Eastern Oregon. The last time the Lights won a game, they snapped a lengthy losing streak when they beat the Mounties in an overtime thriller last October in Havre.

Both Northern, and EOU have struggled since. Northern went on to finish 1-10 last season, and has lost the first six games of 2022. EOU won their final game of 2021, but is off to an 0-7 start this fall.

Both the Lights and Mounties are young teams this season, and both have especially struggled on offense. But, as they say when winless teams meet, someone is about to get their first win of the season.

Postseason Awards

With the season more than half over, it’s time to start thinking about the postseason awards. And they’re all really up for grabs.

Candidates for Offensive Player of the Year include Southern Oregon quarterback Brian Asciutto, who was the backup to start the season, but has now thrown for 1,478 yards and 14 touchdowns. Reigning POY Job Jund has thrown for 1,385 yards and 10 scores as well, while Rocky dual threat QB George Tribble Jr. has stepped in and played well in the absence of Nate Dick. C of I running back Hunter Gilbert, Montana Tech running back Blake Counts, Tech wide receiver Trevor Hoffman and SOU receiver Christian Graney will also be in the hunt for the player of the year.

Defensive Player of the Year probably has fewer true contenders. MSU-Northern linebacker Dylan Wampler is having another huge season with 47 tackles, 4.5 sacks 7.5 tackles for loss two forced fumbles and an interception. Teamate and safety Hunter Riley is also having a big year with 56 tackles, two forced fumbles and a pick. SOU linebacker Jake Regino has the biggest lead on the award, however. Regino has been twice named NAIA Defensive Player of the Week this season, and so far, has tallied 71 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 7 tackles for loss and two interceptions.

As for Coach of the Year, C of I great Mike Moroski is the front runner right now, but don’t count out the incredible job Charlie Hall is doing at SOU. The Raiders are .500 after a 3-0 start and some disasterous injuries.