Stoll brothers taking their football skills to Big Sky country

SANDPOINT — A nice fall drive into Big Sky country for a football double-header. What more could a dad ask for?

The way things are shaping up, Sandpoint veterinarian Bob Stoll could be making many a trip over Lookout Pass and into Montana on fall Saturdays to watch his two sons play football.

Erik Stoll, a former All-State safety from Sandpoint, transferred from Idaho State to the University of Montana, leaving one of the worst Big Sky Conference programs for arguably the best. The Griz coaches are very high on the 6-foot-2, 205-pound safety, who wanted out of the Pocatello school after a coaching shakeup last season.

"They fired the whole coaching staff and that really upset Erik," says Bob Stoll of his son's reasons for leaving. "He wants to be part of a winning program; he's so happy there (Montana)."

Stoll played as a freshman last season, recording eight tackles in a start against Montana. He will have to redshirt during the 2007 season and will have three years of eligibility at UM. He finished the season with 43 tackles.

He's been enrolled in classes in Missoula since the start of the semester, and is working out with the football team.

Younger brother Kurt Stoll could be playing a few hours away at Carroll College in Helena. The Stoll family is making a recruiting visit this weekend to the liberal arts college, where the Fighting Saints of the Frontier Conference have won four of the last five NAIA championships.

"They're really high on him," says Bob of Carroll's interest in Kurt, who could play running back or safety in college. "Kurt has wanted all along to go to a small school. I love seeing these kids go on."

Kurt could announce which school he will attend early next week.