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Carroll Football and Their Home Grown Talent

By Dominic Shelden

Story Created: Sep 28, 2011 at 5:30 PM MDT

Story Updated: Sep 28, 2011 at 8:42 PM MDT

Many high school athletes have to travel hundreds, if not thousands of miles away from their home city just to play their college sport. But for several players on the Carroll football team, they traveled less than ten.

"Coach Van Diest, being a Helena High alum, he likes to come into Helena High and get our interest, and he grabbed mine, so it was awesome. It was a good fit." says Helena High graduate and current Carroll sophomore defensive back Matt Upham.

"It was just a good atmosphere when I came here and visited with the players. Just how team oriented they were, it's about everybody, not just one person," says Capital High graduate and current Carroll Junior Tight-End Anthony Hogan.

The Bengal and Bruin Rivalry may intensify in high school, but it starts much earlier.

"We've been playing against each other since fifth grade. Fifth all the way up through senior year. And we've got this respect for each other. We know each others names, what's good about them, what the strength and weaknesses are. So when it comes here, we know what kind of football player they (Capital High players) are," Says Upham.

"It's pretty easy-they are pretty cool guys over there (at Helena High), after high school you realize that Helena High guys are good guys," says Hogan.

The constant competition of the rival schools also helps the Carroll Coaching Staff.

"The advantage for us is we've been watching these kids since the second grade. We've had them in our summer football camp and our youth camp. We see them around town, we watch them in different athletic events. We get to know them beyond just as a football player," Says Carroll head coach Mike Van Diest.

So now that they're removed from high school, which alma-mater reigns supreme?

"You know I gotta go with Helena High here, even though I never got to beat Capital as a starting quarterback, but we gave them a lot of fights, and I think we get a long lot better, and don't take it quite as seriously over there (At Helena)," says Upham.

"Capital High is of course! We had beat Helena High when I was there quite a bit, so I've got to go with Capital," Says Hogan.

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