HELENA, Mont. -- With a road trip to Dillon, Montana, right around the corner, CarrollAthletics.com is pleased to preview the 2019 Carroll College Fighting Saints football team. 

This installment will highlight special teams. 

Special teams, of course, resonates with Saints head coach Troy Purcell. Purcell came to the Saints after serving as the special teams coordinator and tight ends coach at the University of Idaho under Paul Petrino. Whether coaching with Paul Petrino, or playing under former Saints head coach Bob Petrino, Purcell's philosophy about special teams has not changed.

"Coach Petrino used to always tell me back in the old days, there are four phases: offense, defense, special teams and turnovers," Purcell said. "You win three out of the four you're going to win the game. We have to have the advantage in field positioning. We have to create momentum on special teams to be successful." 

The return game was a point of strength for the Saints last season. Carroll returns first team all-conference kick return man Shane Sipes. The junior from Newbury Park, California, returned 18 kicks last season for 426 yards and one touchdown on a 99-yard return. He's been a fixture in the kick return game for the past few seasons. 

"He's an explosive player," Purcell said. 

Jaden Harrison, a sophomore Southern Utah transfer, also will mix in on the kickoff team. 

The Saints have entrusted their punt return duties with Joe Farris and Harrison this season.

The Saints will look to Matt Kvech to resume his punting duties from a season ago. The senior from Renton, Washington, kicked in eight games before an injury shortened his season. He fired off 45 punts for 1,701 yards (a 37.8 average). Kvech will also be seen prominently in the Saints' secondary. 

"He does a good job of getting it out there," Purcell said. "He's athletic as a punter. He'll do a little rugby and conventional punting." 

Kicking duties will fall upon Josh Kraft and Stephen Powell. Kraft figures to be the field goal and PAT kicker, while Powell has the leg to boom the ball on kickoffs. 

Kraft went 4-for-8 on field goals with a long of 35 yards, converted 21-of-24 PATs and also hit seven punts for 251 yards in spot duty. 

Carroll will also call on linebacker Nate McGree for long snapping duties, while defensive lineman Seamus Tully will be the short snapper. 

Saints special teams in 2019 will be a unit to watch closely.