Laurel High School - Laurels Yearbook (Laurel, MT)

Page 33 text:

2. “Hit ’em harder”, says coach Joe Russell, during a tough summer practice. 3. Coach Karl Matson, voted Southern A Coach of the year after the tremendous season with the Laurel Locomotives. Defense is the name of the game, and not only did he make the defense work, but Laurel’s offense got the ball moving. 4. Tim Byrne 22 carries the ball past a block the tough Laurel defense has made. 29

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The Year Of The Champions The year they moved the ball. After many fine defensive seasons, the 78 edition of the Laurel Locomotive football team set out with the ambition of moving the ball on offense. And move it they did! Led by Tim Byrne, Brad Dantic, and Tom Russell, and many of their unheralded mates, they led the conference in several statistical categories. The ball finally took the right hops and led Laurel to it’s first share of a conference championship in twenty-two years. The season was highlighted by many wins, but three of the biggest might hae been Cody (7-2), Dillon (19-14), and arch rival Billings Central (20-0) which avenged disastorious losses of the year before. This truly was the year of Locomotive football. 1978 LOCOMOTIVES - left to right, front row: Mgr. Tim Elsenpetcr. Glenn Phillips, John Kelly, Jim Sankovich, Tim Byrne, Brad Dantic, Mike Wright. Darren Schmutzler. Nick Markovich, Paul Jeroma, cheerleader Lana Leischncr. Second row: Mgr. John Kuper, Monty Hoppcl, Rich Wallace, Ron Wood, Rick Gratwhol, Chad Bladow, Rich Hclterbran, Todd Watkins, Robin Frank. Third Row: Mgr. Kevin Kaiscrman, Gary Meyers, Tom Rutt, Perry Sorg. Coach Karl Matson, Kirk Lix, Kelly Braswell, John Wombolt, cheerleader Nancy McCourt. Fourth Row: Mgr. Rod Nauman, Tino Riojas. Mark Henry. Bill Tennant. Robert Morrisey, Mark Elsenpeter, Rick Wegner, Dan Kautz, Cheerleaders Rachel Gucnthncr. Fifth row: Mgr. Tim Karst, Keith Sorg, Wayne Millar, Mark Little, Ron Aline. Brian Millar. Will Ketterling, Dave Carlson, cheerleader Lola Winkcl. 28

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Markovich Earns East- West 1. Nick Markovich was selected for all-conference and all-state first teams. But his highest honor goes to being chosen to play in the East-West Shrine game. Nick was selected by Montana Coaches for his excellent play making at safety 2. Nick avoids a tackle as he heads for the goal line. 3. Nick 17. John Kelly 50. Tim Byrne 22. Tom Russell 12, cause a Livingston player to fumble the ball. 4. COACHES of ’78 - left to right: Karl Matson, Joe Russell, Rich Ronan, Larry Wcdcl. It was through these coaches that the guys got their knowledge and confidence that made them great. 5. Papa Joe instructs son Tom on the next play. 6. John Kelly kicks off while Tom Russell holds. 7. The Locomotives set up, ready to move the ball.