Peaks and Valleys for Nov. 18

Here is the Peaks and Valleys Column from this week's Leader...

Peak The trophy case - Looks like Lake County teams will have to make room for some hardware. Mission volleyball took home a district championship, Polson volleyball won the Northwestern A regular season and divisional tournament championship, Arlee and Charlo tied each other for first place in the regular season and the Lady Vikings took home the district tournament trophy. Polson soccer also won the Northwestern A regular sea-son championship and girl's cross country placed third at state. In football, the Charlo Vikings won their conference regular season championship.

Peak Bigfork Football - Ronan must be licking their chops after seeing what Big-fork is doing. After struggling through several winless seasons at class A earlier this decade, the Vikes have hosted three home playoff games this season and will entertain Fairfield this weekend for the state title. Ronan, which had a 5-4 season this year in Class A, will move down to Class B for next season.

Peak Dan Carpenter - The former Montana Grizzly kicker and hair model hit three field goals for the Miami Dolphins in a 29-17 victory over the Tennessee Titans last Sunday. Already this season, Carpenter has made 22 of 25 field goals for the fins. He has indeed taken his talents to South Beach.

Valley Poor Montana Grizzly Fans - If you're look-ing for a cheap way in to the Griz-Cat game, forget about it, tickets will be going for hundreds of dollars. Case in point, four tickets to that game are being sold for $800 on craigslist, whereas two tickets to the St. Louis Rams and Denver Broncos is going for $700. Wowza.

Valley Snow sports - These people have eagerly been sitting by their window waiting for snow. They've been waiting, and waiting and waiting. It's nearing Thanksgiving and there's been really no snow to speak of in the area. Hopefully this weekend brings a bounty of the white stuff like manna from heaven. But be warned, have fun in the rush to get your snow tires put on.

Valley State volleyball tournament - It's understandable that a team should have to win more games if they lose their first and go into the lower bracket, but six matches in two days for a state championship? That seems like you're stacking the deck MHSA, why not make the tournament stretch over another day or go with a different format? That's just ridiculous.