Lake Creek And Montgomery Football Teams Are Aiming For Return Trip To Playoffs

MONTGOMERY, TX — Both Montgomery Independent School District football teams took a step forward in 2020.

In a season affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, both Montgomery and Lake Creek qualified for the playoffs, the first time both schools accomplished the feat in the same season.

The Bears made the postseason for the second time in three years, making a massive improvement over a 2-8 season in 2019 to claim second place in District 10-5A Division II. The Lions reached the playoffs for the first time in the program's third season, sneaking in with the district's fourth seed. At 6-5, it was Lake Creek's first winning season.

Both teams begin their quests to return to the postseason this weekend with their season openers. Lake Creek will play at Dayton at 7:30 p.m. Friday, and Montgomery will play at Porter at 6 p.m. Saturday.

Here is what you need to know about the Bears and Lions heading into the 2021 season.

Montgomery Bears

Head coach: John Bolfing

Record at Montgomery: 103-70

2020 record: 8-4 (second in District 10-5A Division II)

Playoffs: W 38-31 vs. Whitehouse; L 48-28 vs. Fort Bend Marshall

Returning lettermen: 27

Offensive starters returning: 4

Defensive starters returning: 4

Key players (2020 stats):

• QB Brock Bolfing (2,504 passing yards, 23 TDs).
• RB Jalen Washington (1,499 rushing yards, 18 TDs).
• LB Leslie Williams (137 tackles)
• NG Zach Cooper (88 tackles)
• K Nick de las Alas (54-55 PATs, 10-13 FGs)

Newcomers to watch:

• WR/CB Ryder Adler
• LT Charles Ridley
• DE Colby Gelkse
• DE Louie Adams

From the head coach: “We should be able to move the ball on the ground and in the air. However, we have an inexperienced offensive line. Defensively, we will be strong up the middle.”

Montgomery Lake Creek Lions

Head coach: Pat Kennedy

Record at Lake Creek: 10-11

2020 record: 6-5 (fourth in District 10-5A Division II)

Playoffs: L 37-7 vs. Texarkana Texas

Offensive starters returning: 3

Defensive starters returning: 3

Key players:

• Cade Tessier
• Justin Freeney
• Cullen Lenamon
• Cole Kilgore
• Cade Rochinski