By Bruce Sayler
Mentored by its third head coach in the four years of the program, the Butte High girls’ flag football entry looks to continue sport familiarity and improvement as the 2025 season approaches.
Former Whitehall head football coach John Stenson has taken over the Butte High girls’ program after having also coached tackle football for the East Middle School boys between a couple of respites from the rigors.
He followed Eric Zahler and Steve Shahan to the helm and inherited some good returnees to go with a promising turnout loaded with eager underclassmen.
The Bulldogs will hold their intrasquad scrimmage Friday at 2 p.m. at Naranche Stadium as Butte High unveils its fall sports programs to the public. The flag football team will launch its schedule on August 30 in a three-game jamboree at East Helena where the Bulldogs will square off against East Helena, Boulder and Three Forks. Their first home game is set for September 3 with tilts against Kalispell Flathead and Missoula Big Sky. Stenson added that the Butte High girls will play an exhibition on September 12 at halftime of the boys’ game with Kalispell Glacier at Naranche Stadium.
“I’ve coached quite a bit of football, but never flag,” Stenson, a Butte High teacher who played in the secondary of the Bulldogs’ 1991 state Class AA championship football team during his own prep days. “It’s been a challenge learning the rules and flag football being a lot football in everything from tackle football. There’s a lot to learn and I’ve really been enjoying it.”
The team’s enthusiasm was evident at the late Tuesday afternoon practice held in 90-degree heat on the George Paul Memorial Fields at Copper Mountain Sports Park. The Bulldogs have been using both the Copper Mountain site and Naranche Stadium for practices since last week when they officially began.
Stenson has had to play catchup and fast. He said he has watched some games on TV, but his first live flag football game he will likely see will be the first one he coaches on August 30.
“I love the game of football,” he said. “It is in my blood and I’ve always loved coaching. This is something different and something new. It’s fun to challenge yourself. This gets me back into coaching and into the school (activities), which I really enjoy.”
Stenson’s roster will likely have 25-30 girls by the time season starts as “27 or 28” have been taking part. The senior representation is small with only four on the team.
He has tried to make up for his and the team’s lack of experience by attending summer flag football camps.
“I saw a lot of schools at the camps and I learned a lot,” he said.
Blocking is more like screening with physical contact meant to be minimal, pass rushers are designated (two per play) and required to line up two yards off the line of scrimmage, and anyone on the field who isn’t an official is an eligible pass receiver, Stenson clicked off as some of the rules different from tackle football.
The coach said freshman Rylee Erickson is currently fronting the quarterback candidates with senior Allie Ballensky also expected to take some snaps. Junior McKenna Ketchum is also in the mix.
Offensive weapons include Charliee Richter, Jayda Gustafson and McKenzie Read. Stenson said Richter is No. 1 at running back while Gustafson and Read combine ballcarrying abilities with good receiving skills, and are strong defensive players.
Most positions are still being closely contested and the Friday scrimmage should help sort it all out.
“Our strength, I think, is energy,” Stenson said. “The girls have a lot of fun and are in high spirits. They love to learn. We had summer workouts and a lot of girls were there. They’re serious about, about wanting to do the job. A lot of the girls are wrestlers and I think flag football is a great fall sport for them.
“Also a strength is our group of freshmen and sophomores. And, we’ll still welcome more girls to come out. It is a great opportunity to be part of this team for years to come.”
The sport is not yet sanctioned by the Montana High School Association (MHSA), but work is going on to make such happen, possibly in the next couple of years, Stenson noted.
His assistant coaches are veteran mentors Mike McGurk, long an instructor in many Butte youth and school sports, and Josh Hettick, who has served recently as assistant girls’ wrestling coach at Butte High and as a coach in the youth softball league.
“They’re great guys and bring a lot of knowledge,” Stenson said. “They’re great to work with.”
Stenson said a varsity team and a junior varsity team will be formed. Fund-raisers are being planned as the flag football starter program grant from the NFL Atlanta Falcons has expired. It was in effect for three years to help the sport gain footing.
“I’d like the people to know we’re here and that the town will come out to support us,” the coach said.
Stenson expressed gratitude for the help his program has gotten and will continue to receive from Butte High head tackle football coach Arie Grey and Activities Director Travis Johnson.
“They’ve been helping us out a lot in getting it going,” Stenson said.
The flag football season is to end with the state tournament in Hamilton October 1-2.
