Maroons Make Playoffs: Faith, Family, and Fight Return to Butte Central Football

By Josh M. Peck, Butte Central Foundation

Butte Central Maroons Football – 2025 Season Feature

For more than eight decades, Butte Central Catholic High School has stood as one of Montana’s proudest small-school football programs — a source of identity for the Butte community and a symbol of what dedication, teamwork, and faith can achieve on the field.

The maroon banners hanging high above the Maroon Activities Center tell the story. Butte Central has captured ten Montana State Football Championships, earned in 1942, 1945, 1952, 1969, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1981, and 1985. Each title reflects a generation that carried the torch of excellence — players who practiced on frozen fields, coaches who demanded fundamentals, and fans who never wavered. Those banners aren’t decoration; they’re a promise that every new Maroon squad belongs to a legacy.

Beyond those titles came countless divisional crowns and playoff appearances. Through the 1970s and ’80s, Butte Central became synonymous with postseason football in Montana. The program’s playoff runs often forced larger schools to reckon with a smaller roster that played with unmatched heart. Even in leaner years, the Maroons’ resilience kept them in the mix for the Southwest A Division — a reputation built on toughness and faith that continues today.

That lineage isn’t just history; it’s the blueprint for the 2025 Maroons. Every early-morning lift in the weight room, every offseason film session, every freshman encouraged by a senior traces back to that championship DNA. The current roster trains under the same values that defined past greats: humility, hard work, and faith in one another. Recent graduates helped re-energize that culture, showing younger players that progress starts long before the opening kickoff.

For generations, the name Peoples has been the heartbeat of Butte Central football. Head Coach Don Peoples Jr. continues that legacy with calm authority and unshakable belief in his players. He builds from faith, fundamentals, and family — values that outlast any scoreboard.Beside him is his brother, Coach Doug Peoples, the Maroons’ Offensive Line Coach and Run Game Coordinator. Doug’s fiery energy and deep knowledge of the trenches drive the team’s tempo. He’s tough on the kids because he believes in them — demanding precision, effort, and accountability. Players often joke that no one sees the field the way Doug does from his booth vantage point, but later they’ll tell you how much they appreciate his honesty and passion.

Doug’s son, Ryan Peoples (#1), serves as senior quarterback and captain — calm in the pocket, measured in the huddle, and respectful of the game he’s grown up inside. His demeanor reflects both Peoples brothers: Don’s composure and Doug’s intensity.

Watching proudly from the stands, Danny Peoples, Don’s son and Ryan’s cousin, cheered the team through Senior Night and even joined the fun by attempting the TDS Halftime Kick — a lighthearted moment that reminded everyone how deep the Maroon bloodline runs.

THE 2025 BUTTE CENTRAL FOOTBALL COACHING STAFF

Head Coach:

- Don Peoples Jr.

Offensive Staff:

- Doug Peoples — Offensive Line / Run Game Coordinator

- Eyston Lakala — Offensive Line

- Dion Williams — Running Backs

- Tom Peterson — Receivers

Defensive Staff:

- Richie O’Brien — Defensive Coordinator / Linebackers

- Bryan Holland — Defensive Line

- Scott Mansanti — Defensive Backs

- Tuto Stagnoli — Film Coordinator

Support Staff:

- Coach Hollywood — Team Operations / Water Distribution / Sideline Support

Together, this group represents a unified vision: disciplined, physical, fundamentally sound football built on mutual respect and constant improvement.

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The modern Maroons stand on the shoulders of giants. The 2014 Maroons reached the Class A State Championship behind quarterback Danny Peoples and a defense that played with fearless heart. The 2019 team, led by quarterback Thomas McGree and Ryan Moodry, a senior running back in 2017, fought through adversity to secure a postseason berth that rekindled belief in BC’s statewide relevance. Many of today’s seniors were grade-schoolers watching those teams, dreaming of their own Friday nights under the lights at Bob Green Field.

This resurgence didn’t begin in August; it began in the weight room, where accountability became the daily standard. Coaches emphasized strength, conditioning, and attention to detail, while assistants added film study and position-specific instruction that helped the players adapt to the speed of modern Class A football. Head Coach Don Peoples Jr. tied it all together — steady, patient, and precise.

The Maroons opened the year at Lockwood, where early mistakes proved instructive. They followed with hard-earned wins over Ronan and Corvallis, showing flashes of the balanced team they were becoming. Though losses to Frenchtown and Hamilton stung, each week revealed progress — sharper communication, improved line play, and growing belief that something special was building.

Senior Night vs Dillon – A Decade in the Making

On October 24, 2025, Senior Night arrived at Bob Green Field with crisp air, packed bleachers, and ten years of pent-up hope. The opponent: Dillon Beavers, who hadn’t lost to Butte Central since 2014.

From the opening drive, the Maroons looked different — focused, physical, and prepared. The offensive line, anchored by the McCarthy twins, Danny and Bobby, along with freshman Hayden Salmonsen, handled Dillon’s front with maturity beyond their combined years. Their cohesion gave Ryan Peoples time to operate, spreading the ball between Gigi Fantini and Jack Nagle for early scores.

Under center, Ryan Peoples delivered one of his finest performances of the season, commanding the offense with confidence and poise. He read Dillon’s coverage with precision, spreading the ball to every level of the field and keeping the Beavers guessing. Gigi Fantini proved again why he’s among Class A’s most dynamic two-way athletes — sure hands on offense, relentless pursuit on defense, and a spark every time the ball came his way. Lining up beside them, Josh Sutton played with grit and awareness, making key downfield blocks and clutch defensive stops that kept momentum firmly in Butte Central’s favor. Together, they embodied the balance of brains, toughness, and heart that defined the Maroons’ win.

Senior lineman Colt Hassler watched from the sideline, headset on, coaching younger players through reads and protections. Injured veterans Berkeley Lakala and Stew Keane stood nearby — each one still vocal, still part of the fight.

By halftime, the Maroons led behind a balanced attack and a defense that swarmed every Beaver possession. Jack Nagle handled special teams flawlessly — five for five on PATs and a field-position-changing punt average near forty yards.

In the second half, Dillon rallied, but Central answered every punch. When the final whistle blew, the scoreboard read 38–27 Maroons, and a wave of maroon and white poured onto the turf.

It wasn’t just a win; it was release — ten years since the last victory over Dillon, six years since the last playoff berth, and a living reminder that Butte Central football still stands for family, faith, and fight.

When the scoreboard at Bob Green Field finally went dark after the 38-27 win over Dillon, the cheers echoed long after the crowd had gone home. For the first time since 2019, the Butte Central Maroons were heading back to the Montana Class A State Playoffs — a reward for years of work that began long before this season’s opening kickoff.

Under the Montana High School Association (MHSA) system, the top teams from each regional division — Southwest, Northwest, Northeast, and Southeast A — advance to a single-elimination state bracket. The higher-seeded programs host the first round, followed by semifinals and the state championship. For the Maroons, that means a first-round road trip to Whitefish, a program known for physical defense and efficient execution.

The Whitefish Bulldogs bring speed on the edges, size in the trenches, and a quarterback who likes to stretch the field. But they’ll meet a Maroon squad defined by emotion, chemistry, and belief.

Ryan Peoples, the senior captain, continues to lead with a steady hand, while Gigi Fantini provides explosive plays that can flip momentum in a heartbeat. Jack Nagle’s leg remains a major weapon — his ability to control field position often sets the tone. The McCarthy twins, Danny and Bobby, have become the backbone of both lines, bringing power and endurance that wear opponents down. Freshman Hayden Salmonsen adds youthful energy and toughness beyond his years.

Defensively, the Maroons rely on communication and discipline — principles drilled daily by Coach Richie O’Brien and his staff. Injured veterans Berkeley Lakala and Stew Keane remain engaged on the sideline, coaching younger teammates, their presence a reminder of how this team defines leadership beyond the field.

The Maroons’ season has become a story of connection — of families, alumni, and even those who can’t always be there in person. Some cheer from the stands, some volunteer at the gate, and others follow every score from work, home, or even lockup — all proud of the unity and perseverance this team represents. Butte Central football has always been bigger than the roster. It’s faith, resilience, and shared purpose stitched into maroon and white.

Around the state, coaches describe this opening-round game as one of the most balanced matchups of the postseason. Expect a physical, methodical contest that could come down to a single possession. The consensus among observers? Butte Central 28, Whitefish 24 — a tight battle decided by special teams, clock management, and the grit that defines every Maroon drive.

Plans are already underway to help fans make the trip. Parents, boosters, and alumni are coordinating a charter bus to Whitefish so students and supporters can bring that unmistakable Butte Central noise to northwest Montana. Anyone interested in helping fund or join the bus is encouraged to contact the Butte Central Foundation. Every seat filled means another voice echoing “Go Maroons!” when the team takes the field on October 31.

Whether they’re traveling to Whitefish or cheering from home, everyone who wears maroon knows the truth: this season is already a victory of spirit. The playoffs are the next step in a journey built on family, faith, and fight — the very heartbeat of Butte Central football.

The 2025 Butte Central Maroons Football Family

Every number on this year’s roster tells a story of pride, teamwork, and perseverance.

The senior leaders — #0 Jack Nagle (FS/WR, 6’2”, 190), #1 Ryan Peoples (QB, 6’2”, 180), #3 Keltan Keane (C/WR, 5’8”, 150),

#7 Tony Stajcar (S/WR, 5’10”, 170), #65 JJ Taylor (DT/T, 6’0”, 190), and #67 Colt Hassler (DT/G, 5’10”, 240) — set the tone through toughness,

sportsmanship, and leadership on and off the field.

Junior standouts #2 Joshua Sutton (C/WR, 5’11”, 170), #4 Grady Button (C/WR, 5’10”, 145), #8 GG Fantini (LB/WR, 5’11”, 185),

#9 Cade Kelly (C/WR, 6’2”, 175), #18 Carsen Gillis (WR, 6’0”, 165), #20 Danny McCarthy (DE/RB, 6’1”, 180),

#51 Robert McCarthy (DE/T, 6’1”, 180), #53 Burkley Lakkala (LB/T, 6’2”, 190), #63 Gunnar O’Brien (LB/G, 5’11”, 190),

#64 Zander Matison (C/WR, 5’11”, 145), and #69 Jack Nylund (DT/T, 6’2”, 210) were the backbone of both sides of the ball,

pushing the team’s energy and execution week after week.

Sophomores and freshmen filled vital spots and gave their all every practice:

#10 Henly Mansanti (LB/RB, 5’11”, 165), #11 Treigh Hollow (S/WR, 5’9”, 145), #12 Teghan Sparks (C/WR, 5’8”, 135),

#15 Palmer Kellicut (DE/WR, 5’11”, 170), #17 Noah Sutton (C/QB, 5’10”, 150), #19 David Sandoval (S/WR, 5’9”, 135),

#21 Connor Hardy (C/WR, 5’10”, 135), #23 Jaxon Hiatt (C/RB, 5’11”, 160), #25 Maurice West (LB/RB, 5’10”, 170),

#28 Hugh O’Brien (LB/RB, 5’11”, 150), #36 Calvin Salmonsen (LB/WR, 5’9”, 160), #40 Roman Taylor (LB/WR, 5’9”, 165),

#59 Hayden Salmonsen (DT/C, 5’10”, 210), #77 Grady Boyer (DT/T, 6’1”, 210), and #79 Shamus Peck (C/WR, 5’10”, 160) —

a group whose effort and spirit shaped the program’s future.

Special recognition goes to freshman Shamus Peck, who stepped onto the gridiron for the very first time this year.

Through hard work and a team-first attitude, he earned Scout Player of the Week, representing what Maroon football is all about — dedication, growth, and pride in every rep.

Together, these young men formed one family — a small roster with enormous heart, every player contributing to the return of Butte Central football to the postseason stage.

From the first practice to the playoff berth, they embodied the school’s proud tradition of Faith, Family, and Fight.

Senior Night Recognition

Before kickoff, Butte Central honored its senior athletes across multiple fall sports.

On the football field, six seniors — Jack Nagle, Ryan Peoples, Keltan Keane, Tony Stajcar, JJ Taylor, and Colt Hassler — were recognized for their leadership and commitment to Maroon football.

The ceremony also celebrated Butte Central golfers Will McGree, Kelton Berger, and Xander Strand, whose consistency and sportsmanship represented the school throughout the fall season.

While the Maroons had no senior cross country members this year, the community recognized senior volleyball standouts Araka Stajcar and Izzy Lopez during their home match this past Saturday, October 25.

The combined celebration reflected not only athletic achievement, but the family spirit that defines every Butte Central program.

Editor’s Note

All statistics and game details were compiled from Butte Sports, SWX Montana Local Sports, and input from Butte Central Catholic High School coaching staff. Text © 2025 by Josh M. Peck and the Butte Central Foundation.