First off let me say this, this is not about taking away recognition from others. There are a lot of great young man and they are great athletes. They had incredible seasons.
With that out of the way I can't help but feel like Flathead and to some degree the Flathead Valley are being disrespected. As the late great Rodney Dangerfield said "I can't get no Respect". After the announcement that Blake Counts would not be the Montana Gatorade player of the year, I have to wonder what more did this kid need to do?
I thought it was initially just being overlooked but now it just feels like being ignored. Riddle me this... Blake rushes for 2,588 yards sets the new single season rushing record for Flathead, Class AA, and the state of Montana. What does that get him a Co-Offensive MVP, a pat on the back and no Gatorade player of the year. I find it odd Andrew Grinde who set the AA record back in 2014 wins the award but Blake beats it by 400 yards and he doesn't win it.
Lets go by the numbers for Blake... Again!
354 carries 2,588 yards.
6 games rushing over 200 yards
1 game rushing for 300 yards.
23 rushing touchdowns
averaging 7 yards per carry
averaged 199 yards per game.
12 games rushing over 100 yards
12 games with a Touchdown
6 games with multiple Touchdowns
I don't care what state, whether Montana, Florida, Washington those numbers are not so easily tossed aside. He was making 200 yards rushing look like 100. In Florida Blakes numbers would be attracting FBS offers. Florida, USF, UCF, Florida Atlantic and more. There were stories about when Blake broke Lex Hilliards record in week 8 but nothing when he set the state record. I wonder if the only reason there were stories about Blake breaking the Flathead record was because of the name Lex Hilliard.
Is Blake the only one being given a pat on the back and good job. I don't think so. The Flathead Braves were overlooked all year. Hell it was a battle for them to stay in the polls. Everyone tell's me "oh what a great job by the Braves" now looking back it feels like a back handed compliment. This team has been on the rise, this isn't the team in 2015 when Kyle first got the Braves back to the playoffs. This program has been competitive the last 4 seasons. My first season here in 2016 they struggled with injuries otherwise I believe they could have made the post season. This team is no longer a feel good story. This team has shown that they are in the upper echelon in Class AA and should be treated as such. Enough with the pats on the back. Respect would feel better.
Recruiting wise I have said this before, Montana and Montana State are missing out and overlooking Flathead Athletes. Sounds like neither have a serious interest in any of the Braves. According to my sources MSU said they were interested but made no offers and were brief conversations. They insult them with a preferred walk on status. If MSU and UM say they want Montana kids, have to wonder why they think these Montana boys don't make it. Montana State is particularly frustrating I have heard Choate talk about being a run first team. You have a back that can't be brought down by a one tackler. An offensive line that paved the way for record setting numbers running the football and that doesn't make the cut? A wide receiver that has size and speed and great hands. Anthony Jones doesn't need gloves he goes old school catches passes with his hands. The Bobcats need weapons on offense I see quite a few at Flathead High.
This all feels like a bad joke. A lot of people including the sports media in this state need to reevaluate the way they look at this program. Pats on the back will not suffice, give this team the respect it has earned.