Crace runs toward state rushing lead

Announcing Libby Loggers football games this year is a predictable endeavor. With the passing game aching from the absence of graduated All-State quarterback Jared Winslow, the Loggers are a committed ground team. Reminiscent of the era when offenses were pleased with three yards and a cloud of dust, the Loggers run game repeatedly rams the ball right into the teeth of the opposing defense.

Behind a veteran offensive line led by a trio of seniors — center Cooper Brown, right guard Michael Curtiss and right tackle Austin Marshall — senior running back Zach Crace leads the Northwest A Conference in carries and rushing yards.

Crace entered Libby’s game Friday in Browning with 112 carries for 585 yards. Frenchtown’s Gus Butler was second in both categories before adding 184 yards on 16 carries Friday night against Polson. Butler now has 82 carries for 636 yards on the year.

While Crace maintained his statistical leads during Libby’s 48-12 victory in Browning, his exact numbers remain unknown. Operator malfunction left the Loggers with video of only part of Libby’s win. Complete video was requested from and supplied by the Browning athletic department. Libby Assistant Coach Kyle Hannah has been assigned the duty of compiling the complete stat totals. Unofficial estimates put Crace’s weekly rushing total around 180 yards.

Crace entered the season as a bit of an unknown. The Loggers were deep at running back last year and Crace saw playing time only after injuries and off-the-field issues depleted Libby’s depth. Entering the season as the top senior back, Crace anticipated carrying a heavy load. He began regularly completing high school workouts in seventh grade and hit the high school gym four days a week this summer. Also an accomplished wrestler, Crace packs impressive power into a 5-foot-8-inch, 166-pound frame. Given the choice between making a defender miss and plowing one over, Crace said he’d rather lower his shoulder.

“My favorite play is dive right,” Crace said. “I just pick the hole as I see it and run through the defense.”

Crace said he talks to his offensive line every day about leading the state in rushing. C.M. Russell running back Andrew Grinde, of Great Falls, currently leads the way with 887 yards on 126 carries.

Crace will have a chance to watch his greatest conference competition Friday when Libby hosts Frenchtown and Butler.

Crace set a personal record with 48 carries during a Sept. 19 contest at home against Stevensville. He finished with 204 yards in the last-minute loss. With all the pounding his workhorse endures during games, Libby Coach Neil Fuller has taken to lightening Crace’s workload during practice. Crace enjoys the extra rest, but aches and pains are nothing new for him.

“In wrestling you don’t wear any pads,” Crace said. “And in football every time I go to the ground I have two or three guys picking me back up. Wrestling definitely prepares me for the physical aspect of football.”

Not to say the hits do not pile up. Crace bashed his funny bone three weeks ago in Hamilton while taking on a tackler. He described the sensation as a “handful of fire,” and says his left hand still feels strange.

“A couple days ago in practice, wouldn’t you know it, I banged it again on a teammate’s pad,” Crace said. “I about peed myself it hurt so bad.”

Despite berths to the state wrestling tournament, Crace said he plans to leave wrestling behind in college. He hopes his running can attract the attention of area scouts, but requires that interested colleges offer a program for diesel mechanics.

“My uncle works for Peter Kiewit and he said they hire a lot of kids from (Montana State University-Northern),” Crace said. “I like fixing things and driving diesel trucks. I had a 90s Dodge with 10 inches of lift and 37-inch rims. I loved that thing.”

Crace has not heard from any college coaches yet, but he believes they will come around as his numbers continue to appear near the top of state rushing lists.

“I just want to keep lowering the shoulder and letting the line do a great job blocking,” Crace said. “Senior year is going by fast. I’ll probably miss it more when its gone, but I’m enjoying it so far.”