TERRIFIC TAMELER

Running back Zach Tameler wasn’t just great this season, he was

downright scary

ARLEE - The best way to explain a touchdown run by Arlee senior running back Zach Tameler would be to describe the physics of firing a bullet from the gun. The Warrior has been one of the most dangerous weapons in Class C football this year, but you won't hear him taking any credit.

"The linemen have giveN a lot of help to me," Tameler said. "Lineman Brady Potts makes a big defference and the coaches were telling me how to run better."

Making fast cuts, akin to the running style of one of Tameler's favorite running backs - Penn State's all-time leading rusher Stephfon Green - is something Tameler excels at. That and absolutely refusing to go down to the ground.

"At the Montana Tech camp I went to this year they kept talking about after that first hit get four more yards," Tameler said.

The Arlee running back has racked up over 100 yards in a game and several touchdowns numerous times during the season. For a kid that has played football since fifth grade, it was a standout season.

"I've been a fan of football my whole life," Tameler said. "I can remember scoring my first touchdown for Arlee. It was against Noxon my freshman year. They had their center in as the fullback, Kurt Sidel, and when I went through the hole, Kurt blocked the last guy to get me in the endzone."

Offensively this year, Arlee has shown a tough-nosed running attack and an ability to move the ball through the air as well under first-year head coach Mike Rogers.

"He's been really positive about everything, he's a fun guy to hang around with," Tameler said of his coach. "The offense was awesome, I like the way he's been coaching the offense."

Tameler was a big part of the Warriors finishing the season 3-0, and ending the season with a record of 4-5. Rogers, Tameler and the team had decided they wanted to finish the season on a high note.

"We're really focused," Tameler said before the final game of the season, a 54-50 win over Victor, two weeks ago. "All of us are going to give our all."

The game being played at home meant that emotions were high for the seniors and Tameler, as it would be the last time they'd put on the Arlee uniform.

"Right now it hasn't hit me yet," Tameler said before the game. "After this I'm probably going to be pretty sad so I have to treasure this game as much as a I can."

And boy, did he ever. Tameler rushed for 217 yards and four touchdowns as the Warriors won in a shootout.

"It's a great feeling scoring a touchdown but I also like it just as much when my teammates score," Tameler said. "It's been a great experience being on this team, pretty much everybody is best friends."

Tameler also wrestles for the Warriors and said it helps him out with football.

"It helps me get low to explode through a tackle," Tameler said. "And it gives me the mental ability to push through."

And like just about every other young football player in the state of Montana, Tameler is a big Montana Grizzlies fan and said that one of his inspirations at running back is former Griz back Chase Reynolds. His father, Robert, who also worked with his son on the aspects of the running back position, gets tickets to Griz games and makes sure his son sees major college football up close and personal.

"We try to get to games as much as we can," Tameler said. "We watch them every Saturday."

Much like the Griz, anyone that was lucky enough to see Tameler run this season, knows that he's worth the price of admission.

But again, you won't hear him taking any credit for his running, he just lets the results speak for themselves.