2016 Big Sky Avalanche

 

The Big Sky Avalanche begin the 2016 season as a new expansion team in the RMFL Great North, and will be joined by the Flathead Monsters, Great Falls Gladiators, and Billings Xtreme 

in the Montana Division.  Big Sky consists of players from former RMFL teams such as the 

Gallatin Valley Snow Devils and the Helena Bearcats.  In fact, team owner, Kevin Smith was a 

defensive lineman for the former Snow Devils.  Smith joined the Laurel Loco Express in mid-

season last year after being released by the team.  However, Smith had played his entire RMFL 

career with the Snow Devils in Bozeman.

 

After folding in 2015, the Gallatin Valley Snow Devils left many players wondering where they 

would play for the 2016 season.  Billings had not yet emerged as a possibility until the time of 

the league meeting, which then left the option to play in Great Falls for the Gladiators or even in 

Kalispell for the Monsters.  Smith was able to devise a plan to create the Avalanche with the help 

of the players, including team representative Nick Alamia.  After a three season absence 

following the discontinuation of the Bearcats, the Helena area has a team once again.  

 

The Avalanche were able to find many former Helena Titan/Bearcat leaders to help the team for 

2016, which includes team president Shane Stephenson, Doug O’Dell as head coach, Ken 

Sanford as defensive coordinator, Terry Hiatt as defensive line coach, Tim Broadbrooks as the 

offensive line coach.  Big Sky will also have former Snow Devil and Phoenix, Zach Thompson, 

as linebacker coach.  O’Dell spent numerous seasons with the Helena Titans beginning in 2002 

as offensive coordinator.  He continued coaching through the 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006 

seasons as the head coach of the Titans with Offensive Coordinator and RMFL coaching great 

Rob Baker.  He rejoined the team for the 2008 and 2009 seasons before one final appearance in 

2012 as the Bearcat’s head coach.  

 

Stephenson returns to Helena after moving back from Fargo, North Dakota, where he ran a 

successful semi-pro team called the Fargo Invaders in 2014.  The Invaders went 8-2 in their 

inaugural season and won the MPFL Championship to finish off a great year.  Stephenson was 

previously a member of the Helena Titans organization for numerous seasons as a tight end and 

offensive lineman.

 

Sanford, who played 6 seasons for the Helena Titans at receiver and safety (2-time RMFL All-

Star, Safety), joins the Avalanche as the defensive coordinator.  In the 2009 and 2010 seasons, 

Sanford was the offensive coordinator and secondary coach for the Titans.  The following 

season, in 2011, he coached the Bearcats as the team’s defensive coordinator.

 

As for Hiatt, this will be his first season primarily as a position coach and not a player in the 

RMFL.  From 2002 to 2010, Hiatt played defensive lineman for the Helena Titans and was one 

of the team’s consistent leaders in sacks and tackles for loss.  Hiatt would also play defensive 

lineman for the Helena Bearcats in the 2011 and 2012 seasons.  He was an all-star player for the 

Helena teams when he played and will add to the coaching staff with his knowledge as a 

defensive line coach for the 2016 season.

 

Lastly, Thompson returns to the field as a coach, this time for the Avalanche.  In 2006, 

Thompson joined the Missoula Raptors for his first season in the RMFL.  After the team folded, 

he would then continue his career with the Missoula Phoenix from 2007 to 2009.  In his final 

season with the Phoenix, Thompson was responsible for 67 tackles (fourth team) and 2 

interceptions in the 2009 season as an RMFL AAA competitor.  Following the 2009 season, 

Thompson moved from Missoula to Bozeman, where he would become a member of the Gallatin 

Valley Snow Devils for the 2010 season.  From 2010 to 2014, Thompson would either play, 

coach, or do both for the Snow Devils.  Thompson was an All-Star selection as a member of the 

Phoenix, and a 2-time All-Star selection with the Snow Devils at the linebacker position.  In 

2016, he looks to make an impact as a member of the Avalanche coaching staff.

 

The Big Sky Avalanche offense is off to a fresh start in 2016 with some familiar faces to the 

RMFL.  Running back James King makes his return to the field after playing the 2013, 2014, and 

2015 seasons with the Gallatin Valley Snow Devils.  As a member of the Snow Devils, King 

rushed for 832 yards and 9 rushing touchdowns with his best season in 2014 (467 yards on 68 

carries and 4 touchdowns).  In his first season in the 2012 season, King was a member of the 

Helena Bearcats and was the team’s rushing leader.

 

Also joining King on the Avalanche offense is tight end Nick Alamia, who was mentioned above 

as the team’s player representative.  Alamia started in the RMFL as a multi-position player for 

the Helena Bearcats in 2011.  He was one of the Bearcat’s main targets in 2011 and 2012.  Nick 

would also provide defensive assistance as a linebacker and defensive lineman.  He finished the 

2012 season with 12 catches for 131 yards and a touchdown at the tight end position, and would 

also produce 2.5 sacks on defense.  In 2013, Alamia joined the Gallatin Valley Snow Devils 

following the discontinuation of the Bearcats.  His role on the team would be mostly on the 

defense, and some tight end.  Alamia became more involved with the Snow Devils the following 

season, as he racked in 22.5 tackles and 2.5 sacks.  Last season, Alamia produced 23.5 tackles 

for the team, as well as an interception to contribute to the Snow Devil defense.  This season, 

Alamia looks to return at the tight end position to help the Avalanche offense produce points 

early and often as a receiver and a blocker.

 

Another familiar RMFL athlete that looks to make an impact for the Avalanche offense this 

season is receiver Patrick Franqui, who has spent most of his career with the Gallatin Valley 

Snow Devils.  The 2014 season was a breakout year for Franqui as the team’s third leading target 

behind the Kurschner brothers.  Franqui caught 30 passes for 258 yards and 4 touchdowns in 

2014 to help the Snow Devils to a 7-1 regular season record.  Last season, his numbers were 

lower, but his impact remained the same.  Franqui joins the Avalanche for the 2016 season as an 

impact receiver for new quarterback Brandon McBride.

 

Finally, the offensive line features players with past RMFL experience that will help build the 

new expansion team.  Center Mike Soto is one of those individuals that will add to the 

experience on the line.  Soto was a member of the Helena Titans and the Great Falls Gladiators 

before his stop back in Helena to join the Avalanche.  He won a championship with the 

Gladiators in 2011 as the team’s center.  Tackle Robert Adame joins the Avalanche after playing 

numerous seasons with the Glacier Knights.  Following the 2011 season, Robert joined the 

Bitterroot Blaze, where he would win an RMFL AA Championship with the team.  He also 

played a stint with the Gallatin Valley Snow Devils and the Flathead Monsters.  Guards Dave 

Tallman and Kyle LaFountaine will also join the Avalanche offensive line.  Tallman was a 

member of the Helena Bearcats and the Gallatin Valley Snow Devils, while LaFountaine played 

for the Helena Titans, Helena Bearcats, Gallatin Valley Snow Devils, and the Glacier Knights.  

Austin Hennig is the newest addition to this experienced group and looks to make an impact on 

the line.

 

Defensively, the Avalanche look forward to the leadership and talent of players such as 

defensive lineman and linebacker Josh Wallis, cornerbacks Jeff McBride, Nick Jones, and Buddy 

Newville, defensive end James DeCoteau, safety Eric Olaso, and defensive back Dylan Wine to 

name a few.  Josh, son of former Helena Titan defensive coordinator, head coach, and recruiter 

Rich Wallis, made his appearance on the playing field in the RMFL back in 2014 as a member of 

the Gallatin Valley Snow Devils.  In his first season, he made 15.5 tackles and 4.5 sacks as a 

starter on the defensive line.  Last season, Wallis was the third leading tackler with 24.5, as well 

as 1.5 sacks in his defensive contributions to the Snow Devils.

 

Also joining Wallis on the defensive line is defensive end James DeCoteau, who was a member 

of the Missoula Raptors and Missoula Phoenix before his stop in Helena.  He was a member of 

the Raptors in 2006, then joined the Phoenix the following season after the Raptors folded.  

DeCoteau would rejoin the Phoenix in 2010 under new management as a defensive end.  He 

would continue to play for the Phoenix until the team folded after the 2013 season.  This will be 

DeCoteau’s first year back since the 2013 season.  In 2012, he would make an impact as a pass 

rusher for the Phoenix during their 7-1 regular season run that would land the team in the semi-

finals against the Idaho Matadors.  His experience, size, and speed will help the team build and 

improve on defense.

 

Jeff McBride, Buddy Newville, Nick Jones, Eric Olaso, and Dylan Wine will anchor the 

defensive secondary for the Avalanche.  McBride was a member of the Gallatin Valley Snow 

Devils in 2014 as a cornerback.  He finished the regular season with 6 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and 

scored his first career RMFL touchdown on a punt return.  

Newville adds talent to the cornerback position for the Avalanche as well.  He began his first 

season in the RMFL with the Gallatin Valley Snow Devils in 2013.  Newville quickly became an 

impact player that first season when he finished tied for first as the league leader in interceptions.  

 

In 2014, Newville became more of a physical defender, as he finished with 26.5 tackles (20 more 

than his first season), 3 sacks, and 2 interceptions (1 returned for a touchdown).  Last season, 

Newville continued to make an impact on the Snow Devil defense with his presence in the 

secondary.  He finished with 3 interceptions to lead the team in that category.

Jones was also a member of the Gallatin Valley Snow Devils for the 2014 and 2015 RMFL 

seasons.  In 2014, Jones also found the end zone for his first career RMFL touchdown after 

returning an interception 88 yards for the score.  Last season, Jones contributed to the Snow 

Devil defense once again as a cornerback and return specialist with 8 tackles, two interceptions 

(1 for a touchdown), and five total punt returns.

 

Next, the Avalanche add Eric Olaso to their secondary.  Olaso was a member of the Helena 

Titans in 2010, the Helena Bearcats in 2011 and 2012, the Missoula Phoenix in 2013, and the 

Gallatin Valley Snow Devils last season.  After playing the 2010 and 2011 RMFL seasons at the 

safety position, Olaso would change directions as the Bearcats team owner and starting 

quarterback in 2012.  He finished the season with 38 pass completions for 389 yards and 3 

touchdowns.  In the 2013 season, after the discontinuation of the Bearcats, Olaso joined the 

Missoula Phoenix as the team’s starting quarterback after the second game of the season.  Olaso 

completed 33 passes for 381 yards and 3 touchdowns at the helm.  After taking a season off from 

playing, Olaso decided to join the Snow Devils for a few games at the safety position last season.  

For the 2016 season, Olaso looks to make an impact at the safety position once again.

Finally, Dylan Wine joins the Avalanche secondary after playing the 2014 and 2015 seasons 

with the Gallatin Valley Snow Devils at the linebacker position.  Wine entered his first RMFL 

season in 2014 and became the team’s fifth leading tackler with 27.5 with 6 of those for losses, 

as well as an interception to add to his first-year appearance.  Last season, Wine was the lead 

tackler on the Snow Devil defense with 30.  He would also add an interception to his 2015 

performance as well.  McBride, Jones, Olaso and Wine offer experience, speed, and talent to the 

Avalanche secondary and will be a group to watch for in the RMFL Great North.

 

The Big Sky Avalanche open the 2016 RMFL season at home against the Utah Cobras on 

Saturday, April 2.  Kickoff will be at 3pm at the Jefferson High School field off Main Street in 

Boulder, Montana (26 miles south of Helena).  On the following Saturday (April 9), the 

Avalanche will play host to their first Montana opponent of the season against Shane Jurasek and 

the Great Falls Gladiators in Boulder.