Two Electric City Natives Lead the Cats to Great Falls
4/7/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
What a difference a year has made for Bobcat defensive lineman Aaron Papich.
Twelve months ago, the former Great Falls High standout says, he was just getting by. This year, "I'm playing much more of a key role," says Papich, who heads to his hometown for Montana State's first spring scrimmage of 2005 on Saturday as a starting defensive tackle.
MSU head coach Mike Kramer puts it more succinctly. "Last year," he says, "Aaron was a reserve. This year, he's a player."
The Bobcat coaching staff has openly displayed in Papich considerable confidence, a commodity he hopes to continue to develop in himself. "I'm a lot more used to the coaching this year. I hope to come out of (Saturday's scrimmage) with a lot of confidence. I want to keep learning and keep getting better."
That attitude has been apparent early in camp, Kramer says. "Aaron is a very hard worker. He's probably made the most progress of anyone on the defense since last fall. He has toughness and the ability to learn, and he's making a nice transition (to starter)."
Papich said a primary reason for his rapid progress are the guys he lines up across from in practice each day, which includes All-Big Sky tackle Joe Hirst and All-America tackle Jeff Bolton. "They're great people," Papich said, "and great player. They just swallow dudes. That's been a great experience for me."
Papich is looking forward to playing on his former high school's campus this weekend at Memorial Stadium. "Oh, I have great memories (of that stadium)," he said. "Probably beating Bozeman in the first round of the playoffs as a senior (is the best). I had a pretty good game, but our team played great."
* * * * *
With starters Rick Gatewood (shoulder) and Brandon Roosevelt (knee) out, Mike Kramer is pleased with the progress of his young wide receivers, led by one player who is not so young. "Tramaine Murray has been very impressive," Kramer says of the senior Washington State transfer. "He has a good understanding of how to practice. He's hard-core. He goes hard all the time."
Murray sets a good example, Kramer says, for younger receivers such as Toby Rundle, Tyler Lulay and Mike Brown. "Tyler has caught the ball well, he's very solid," Kramer said. "Michael Brown, he will play a lot of football at Montana State. He is explosive."
* * * * *
Kramer will train his eyes closely on another Great Falls native returning to his home turf this weekend. Tyler Bolton will receive his first look of the spring in live competition, and Kramer is anxious to see continued improvement. "Tyler has been strong, he's getting the ball up quicker. He needs to become more consistent, he needs to be better from the right hash. But he has worked hard."
Montana State's kicking situation gets more crowded when fall camp opens in August. Eric Fisher from Billings and junior college transfer Jeff Hastings join the program for what Kramer describes as a modified open competition for kicking chores. "The job will be Tyler's to lose, out of loyalty to him and respect for how hard he's worked."
* * * * *
Kickoff for the Triangle Classic scrimmage on Saturday in Great Falls' Memorial Stadium is set for 1 pm. Tickets are $5, and are available at the gate. A few tickets remain for Friday night's banquet, at the Heritage Inn at 6 pm.
Twelve months ago, the former Great Falls High standout says, he was just getting by. This year, "I'm playing much more of a key role," says Papich, who heads to his hometown for Montana State's first spring scrimmage of 2005 on Saturday as a starting defensive tackle.
MSU head coach Mike Kramer puts it more succinctly. "Last year," he says, "Aaron was a reserve. This year, he's a player."
The Bobcat coaching staff has openly displayed in Papich considerable confidence, a commodity he hopes to continue to develop in himself. "I'm a lot more used to the coaching this year. I hope to come out of (Saturday's scrimmage) with a lot of confidence. I want to keep learning and keep getting better."
That attitude has been apparent early in camp, Kramer says. "Aaron is a very hard worker. He's probably made the most progress of anyone on the defense since last fall. He has toughness and the ability to learn, and he's making a nice transition (to starter)."
Papich said a primary reason for his rapid progress are the guys he lines up across from in practice each day, which includes All-Big Sky tackle Joe Hirst and All-America tackle Jeff Bolton. "They're great people," Papich said, "and great player. They just swallow dudes. That's been a great experience for me."
Papich is looking forward to playing on his former high school's campus this weekend at Memorial Stadium. "Oh, I have great memories (of that stadium)," he said. "Probably beating Bozeman in the first round of the playoffs as a senior (is the best). I had a pretty good game, but our team played great."
* * * * *
With starters Rick Gatewood (shoulder) and Brandon Roosevelt (knee) out, Mike Kramer is pleased with the progress of his young wide receivers, led by one player who is not so young. "Tramaine Murray has been very impressive," Kramer says of the senior Washington State transfer. "He has a good understanding of how to practice. He's hard-core. He goes hard all the time."
Murray sets a good example, Kramer says, for younger receivers such as Toby Rundle, Tyler Lulay and Mike Brown. "Tyler has caught the ball well, he's very solid," Kramer said. "Michael Brown, he will play a lot of football at Montana State. He is explosive."
* * * * *
Kramer will train his eyes closely on another Great Falls native returning to his home turf this weekend. Tyler Bolton will receive his first look of the spring in live competition, and Kramer is anxious to see continued improvement. "Tyler has been strong, he's getting the ball up quicker. He needs to become more consistent, he needs to be better from the right hash. But he has worked hard."
Montana State's kicking situation gets more crowded when fall camp opens in August. Eric Fisher from Billings and junior college transfer Jeff Hastings join the program for what Kramer describes as a modified open competition for kicking chores. "The job will be Tyler's to lose, out of loyalty to him and respect for how hard he's worked."
* * * * *
Kickoff for the Triangle Classic scrimmage on Saturday in Great Falls' Memorial Stadium is set for 1 pm. Tickets are $5, and are available at the gate. A few tickets remain for Friday night's banquet, at the Heritage Inn at 6 pm.
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