High School Football America, in partnership with scoutSMART, has unveiled the sixth edition of its Montana Academic All‑America team, spotlighting senior student‑athletes who maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.7 or higher while contributing as varsity players during the previous season.
Spotlight on Standout Performers
Among the honorees, Steven Brown of Anaconda, a defensive lineman in the class of 2027, joins Mitch Verlanic from Butte, a wide receiver in the class of 2026, and Mattix Chase of Florence‑Carlton, a running back also in the class of 2026. Raider Kalfell of Lockwood and Kane Mahlum of Russell, both seniors in the class of 2027, round out the list of scholars on the field.
Each athlete’s achievement is underscored by scoutSMART’s proprietary FIT Score, a metric that evaluates statistical production, positional skills and academic metrics to provide college coaches across all divisions with a concise snapshot of a prospect’s potential.
Looking Ahead
The announcement also highlights the broader impact of the program, noting that the list not only celebrates individual merit but also showcases the growing emphasis on scholarship within Montana’s high school football landscape. As college recruiters continue to scout talent nationwide, the Academic All‑America team serves as a reminder that success on the gridiron can be matched by excellence in the classroom, reinforcing the narrative that today’s student‑athletes are building futures beyond the game.