Area players big reason for Carroll’s title run

There’s a distinct Inland Northwest flavor on the Carroll College football team.

The Helena school is headed to the NAIA championship game for the fifth time in six years. The No. 2-ranked Fighting Saints (14-0) take on top-ranked and defending champ University of Sioux Falls (S.D.) on Saturday at Savannah, Tenn.

Five players with ties to the area start for Carroll. They are: senior defensive back/place-kicker Marcus Miller (Gonzaga Prep), senior defensive end Phil Lenoue (G-Prep), junior linebacker Rick Young (Post Falls), sophomore running back Gabe Le (Coeur d’Alene) and redshirt freshman offensive lineman Mike Vickhammer (Lake City), who has been injured the last two games.

Sophomore defensive end Mike Ogrin (G-Prep) and true freshman tight end Bubba Bartlett (Lakeland) see time off the bench.

Seven other players from the area also are on Carroll’s roster. They are: running back Kyle Ferebee (Lake City), a redshirt freshman, and six freshmen who are redshirting this season – defensive back John McKenna (G-Prep), DB Wilson Bowlby (Lake City), RB Kurt Stoll (Sandpoint), LB Spencer Savage (G-Prep), wide receiver Tyler Sanders (Lake City) and DE A.J. Allen (G-Prep). None of these players will accompany Carroll to the title game because of roster limitations, coach Mike Van Diest said.

Miller and Le, a backup most of the season before moving into the lineup in the quarterfinals, had big contributions in Carroll’s 23-7 semifinal win over St. Francis (Ind.). Le gained 154 yards on 39 carries. Miller kicked three field goals and two extra points.

In a regular-season-ending 17-14 win over Montana Tech, Miller accounted for all of Carroll’s points. He returned interceptions 69 and 33 yards for touchdowns, kicked both extra points and the game-winning field goal.