Scobey Starts Journey For Repeat State Title
Despite losing three All-State performers to graduation, the Scobey football program is aiming to keep its remarkable run going this season. The Spartans ended 2025 with a perfect record including earning the winning state championship with a 48-16 victory over Flint Creek.
“We lost some fantastic leadership and amazing athletic ability, but they want it. They can taste it,” Coach Brock Berryhill said of this year’s team working for similar success.
Topping the list of returning players for the Spartans are senior All-State linebacker Kolten Machart, All-Conference sophomore quarterback Reese Tande, All-Conference senior lineman Aydan Stentoft and All-Conference senior Torsten Lamb. Machart also earned second team All-Conference honors at wide receiver.
Other returning players who saw a decent amount of playing time included linebacker Asher Handran, linebacker Liam Leininger, defensive back Teagan Fishell, running back/linebacker Quinn Axtman and lineman Curtis Leibrand.
One benefit for the Spartans is that many of the younger players saw action in games where Scobey took large leads last season. The Spartans have 24 players out for football this season.
“Luckily, we were most of the time in a spot where the younger guys could get reps,” Berryhill said. Another positive was four extra weeks of practice during the playoff championship run.
Berryhill said returning the team’s quarterback, Tande, is a big advantage for the Spartans.
“That’s a huge plus especially a kid who won you a title,” Berryhill said of having the same starting quarterback. “Reese’s development should only accelerate now.” He describes Tande as a great passer and “his running was one of the surprises especially in the playoffs.”
His favorite target is likely to be Machart, who creates match-up problems because of his size and strength. “He has great ball skills and can run like a deer,” Berryhill said.
Regardless of the passing threats, the Spartans are anticipated to still run the ball about 80 percent of the time.
“Out here, you have to be,” Berryhill said of being mainly a running team. “We don’t throw it often, but when we do, we rip off big plays.”
As the defending state champions, the Spartans are aware that they will receive everybody’s best shot, every week.
The coach talks about the keys for success. “It’s more about staying in the moment of a particular game. If you can focus for that long, it’s when good stuff happens.”
Conference contenders are expected to include Circle, Ekalaka, Forsyth and Culbertson. Plentywood is also expected to be improved.
“In the East, anybody can beat anybody on any given day,” Berryhill said. “In my opinion, it’s the best league in the state.”
The Spartans will open their season in Poplar on Friday, Aug. 28.
“The expectations are high. They should be,” Berryhill said. “A lot of good players left, and a lot of good players are back.”
Scobey Football Schedule
Aug. 28: at Poplar Sept. 4: Plentywood Sept. 11: at MonDak Sept. 18: Circle Sept. 25: Ekalaka Oct. 9: at Forsyth Oct. 16: Culbertson Oct. 23: at Fairview
