Titans draft Havre’s Marc Mariani in seventh round

On Saturday afternoon, former Havre High School standout Marc Mariani's next phase of life began. Mariani, a University of Montana senior wide receiver and former threesport star at HHS was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the seventh round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He was the 222nd pick overall and joined UM teammate Shann Schillinger of Baker as a pair of Grizzlies drafted this year. Schillinger, a safety, was chosen by the Atlanta Falcons in the sixth round on Saturday. Mariani, a 6-foot-1, 190-pounder with sub 4.5-second speed in the 40, last fall caught 80 passes for a school-record 1,479 yards and 13 touchdowns. He led the Big Sky with seven 100-yard receiving games and in multiple touchdown receptions games, four. Mariani was named a first team All-American by the Associated Press, Walter Camp and the Sports Network, and he was also selected to the College Sporting News "Fab 50" team. Also a tremendous return specialist, Mariani had three of the longest scoring plays in school history in his career: a 98 yard kickoff return, a 94-yard punt return and an 84-yard reception. While at Montana, he set career school records in receiving yards, 3,018, receiving touchdowns, 29, and all-purpose yards, 5,441. At HHS, Mariani was a three-sport star, racking up Class A All-State honors in football as a junior and senior. He helped lead the Blue Ponies to the 2004 Class A state football championship. Mariani was also a two-time All- Conference selection, in basketball at Havre High and was a two-time Class A state doubles champion in tennis. He helped the Pony boys tennis teams to four consecutive Class A state team titles as well. Saturday also saw Mariani become the first Havre resident to be drafted into the National Football League. "It's just really exciting," Mariani said. "I've worked so hard and for so long to get to this point, and I'm just honored and feel so blessed to have this opportunity. This is just the beginning though, and now I have to go and make a team all over again. But I'm excited for the opportunity I've been given, and I'm going to continue to work as hard as I can to be successful."