Scotties Ready To Go

The Glasgow Scottie football team kicked off their season Aug. 22 at Scottie Field with the traditional Red and White game, pitting teammates against each other. Playing before an empty stadium, but with parents and fans gathered in vehicles off to the east, the Red took the game 14-7.

Cheers and honking horns drifted across the field in support of the return to a semblance of normalcy. "That's it," laughed coach Pat Barnett when asked what he hoped for this season, aside from having a full season. "We're really hour to hour, week to week, but we plan to play as many games as possible." Questions linger this year as to how long the school and sports seasons may last in light of the coronavirus pandemic. But in true Montana fashion, the Scotties are forging ahead.

"I just don't see canceling the season," Barnett said. "As long as there is school, there should be activities. These kids need something to do and it's activities." He said that as of now the team is preparing for a full season, but cautions that could, of course, change as the school year progresses, noting the temporary shutdown of the Shepherd schools due to positive COVID-19 cases.

Glasgow is scheduled to play their first game in Shepherd this Saturday, Aug. 29, at 3 p.m. Fans will not be allowed to attend the game due to restrictions in place in Yellowstone County to counter the spread of COVID-19. KLTZ will be broadcasting the game and fans will be able to watch on the NFHS network, http://www.nfhsnetwork.com.

The Scotties will go into the game with a short roster. Several players as of now lack the required number of practices to play and Tel Aune, as of press time, is out with an injury suffered during the Red and White game. Barnett said he expects all players back and ready to play this season though. In addition to Aune, Barnett is returning several players with conference and state honors to the field. Loden Idler, Colton Fast, Jesse Lee, Dylan Nieskens, Cooper Larson, Ty Kittleson and Mason Phipps will lend their experience and leadership to the Glasgow team.

Glasgow fans are encouraged to keep an eye on the Scottie Football and Glasgow Scotties Facebook pages for information regarding attendance and fan seating as the Scotties are set to host Conrad on Friday, Sept. 4, at 7 p.m.

"The team is ready to go and excited about the season," Barnett enthused. "We're looking to do great things."