By Tyler Allen EBS Managing Editor
BIG SKY – Eddie Starz is taking his talents to Helena’s Carroll College and made it official on his signing day May 19 at Lone Peak High School.
The Big Horns’ standout quarterback, and star basketball player, will join the storied Montana football program after considering three other schools—Washington’s University of Puget Sound, and the University of St. Thomas and St. Olaf College in Minnesota.
“I chose Carroll because it felt like the like the right fit for me,” Starz said. “They have a great coaching staff, great program, and I’m just excited to be a part of it.”
Starz received All-State football honors in 2015 and 2016, the first season the program moved to Class C 8-man from the 6-man division.
Carroll’s assistant coach Jim Hogan traveled from Helena for Starz’s signing day in Big Sky.
“The thing that we see in him is that he’s got a passion to play football,” Hogan said. “When you watch his film, he’s very athletic, very mobile and it appears that he makes good decisions out there on the field.”
Hogan said there are a couple of other quarterbacks joining this year’s class, but as the offensive line coach, he’s particularly impressed by Starz’s mobility.
“I like those scramblers, those guys that set up a little longer in the pocket,” he said. “I think that Eddie stacks up very well in terms of the guys that are coming in, and what better program to go to [to] raise your athletic abilities. … It’ll be fun to watch that growth.”
Carroll College is a private Roman Catholic liberal arts school and a traditional powerhouse in the Frontier Conference of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. They had a down year last season, finishing in the middle of the pack, but have won the conference championship 40 times including back-to-back titles in 2013 and 2014.
The Fighting Saints have also won six NAIA national championships with their most recent title coming in 2010.
Hogan said the Frontier Conference is likely the most competitive in the NAIA division.
“The teams in this conference really prepare you for the playoffs,” he said. “We’ve been very successful over the years, and we continue to work to get back on track this year.”
Starz returns to the field in Butte on Saturday, June 3, to play in the Bob Cleverley All-Star Treasure State Classic. He’s been preparing with morning and evening sessions in the LPHS gym, according to athletic director and head football coach Matt Bakken.
“That work ethic will allow him to be successful at Carroll College,” Bakken said. “He’s just an all-around outstanding kid, terrific leader and athlete.”
