Northern inks help for secondary, special teams

Montana State University-Northern football coach Walt Currie has signed four more recruits for the 2003 football season. Northern addressed needs in the secondary while adding two more players that could offer immediate impacts in its special teams game.

Two defensive backs that led Class A Whitefish to the playoffs this season will be joined once again in the Northern secondary.

Michael Watson (5-8, 150) was an first team all-state selection as a defensive back and was selected to play in the prestigious East-West Shrine game in August. Besides defense, Watson stepped in to play quarterback this year after the Bulldogs starting quarterback was injured. Watson earned all-conference honors at quarterback.

Watson's teammate Kyle Elliott has also signed to play defensive back for the Lights. Elliott (5-11, 185) also earned first team all-state honors and was selected to play in the Shrine game. Elliot also is an outstanding baseball player for the Glacier Twins.

The Lights signed their second kicking prospect in Scott Smith of Whitehall. Smith (5-10, 150) is a former soccer player from Colorado, who took up football after moving to Montana. Currie feels that Smith has tremendous potential not only as a kicker but also as a defensive back.

Besides signing a second kicker, Northern made a key acquistion in John Paul Kastner of Victor. Kastner (6-0, 200) earned all-state honors at defensive end for the Pirates. Besides excelling on defense, Kastner is an accomplished long snapper and could see playing time immediately with the graduation of previous long-snapper and quarterback Brandon Kerkes.