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HELENA Youve heard it before and you're hearing it again Bozeman High School is back in the State AA football semifinals.

It was a 35-28 victory over Helena High at Vigilante Stadium on Friday evening that pushed the Hawks back into this year's round of four, their third consecutive trip, and theyre now one win away from going back to the state championship game.

For years fans and media have talked about key Bozeman players in the positions of quarterback, running back, receivers, safeties and defensive backs, but what about the boys in the trenches? The forgottens. Thats been a lot of the success according to head coach Levi Wesche, who knows a thing or two about the position.

I think its safe to say that the two strengths of our teams are the lines. Were great on the offensive line, I feel like, and were great on the defensive line," said Wesche. "In the games weve won, we have been able to control the line of scrimmage. Thats huge. You cant say enough about it. Thats how we build our program, we want to control the line of scrimmage any way we can.

Frontier Conference football fans will remember Wesche from his all-conference offensive lineman days at MSU-Northern. Its a position he heavily values, and this year, one he returned to mentoring.

Im back coaching the offensive line for the first time since I took over as head coach, so its been four years, but Im back now. I have to admit, thats been the highlight of my year is going back and coaching those big guys because they just have a different work ethic," Wesche said. "It takes a different attitude to play in that area. Its been really fun for me to see how far theyve progressed.

My brother actually had Wesche as his (offensive line) coach when he played, and with him they won the state championship in 2013," said senior offensive lineman Jacob Keim, referencing his older brother, Brandon Keim. "I love Wesche ... I think he really pushes us.

Wesche, hes always on the guys to be perfect every single day. Theyre watching film every single day, whether its in class or on Zoom, hes always demanding perfection from those guys," said senior defensive end Luke Fedyk. "Over the season its showed. Since that first game we lost to Billings Senior, we struggled a little bit, but to see those guys grow and how much theyve progressed throughout the year, thats been impressive. Im super proud of those guys.

Bozemans offensive line understands Wesche holds higher expectations of them because hes played and coached the position. Their response? Often getting better as the game goes on.

Our guys fight hard. They play snap to whistle every down. Do they get beat sometimes? Yeah. But they dont give up, either," said Wesche. "They come back with just as much intensity, fire and physicality. Theyre going to keep grinding on you, grinding on you and grinding on you.

Thats why we play the game. We love the physicality," said Keim. "Im just excited to play one more week.

I think its awesome. I think thats the way we like it," echoed Fedyk. "Obviously our defensive line, we get after it, but our offensive line, as well. Theyre a bunch of dogs. We like to be physical. Were physical in practice every day and we like to get after it. (We) definitely like these games where we can really put our hand in the dirt and get after it.

Fedyk and Kenneth Eiden IV certainly draw their share of praise on the defensive line, but senior Camren Spencer and junior Jaden Perkins make their own noise in the backfield.

Big Cam Spence, hes always, every single day, hes grinding. Hes trying to get better, trying to be the best he can be," Fedyk praised his teammate. "Big Perk, hes stepping up. Hes obviously a junior this year, so hes going to have a great year next year, but hes stepped up for us this year, so thats awesome.

The Hawks offensive line, meanwhile, may not have the name recognition, but teammates know where the credit belongs.

The running backs and QB, Jordan (Jones), they always give us love. They always know were the bread and butter. Its awesome they give us credit, but its pretty cool to get an interview from you guys one time, admitted Keim.

Dont worry young fella, the physical play isnt going unnoticed.

The rest is here:
The forgotten: Bozeman High's football success starts in the trenches - MontanaSports