BILLINGS — Billings West celebrated homecoming in a big way on Friday before a large and jubilant Golden Bears’ fanbase at Wendy’s Field at Daylis Stadium.
Before the Eastern AA football game even began, West senior tight end and Michigan commit, Matt “Moose” Ludwig was brought to midfield where it was announced that he was selected to play in the annual Navy All-American Bowl, a prestigious high school all-star game held at the Alamodome in San Antonio on Jan. 10, 2026.
Ludwig then went out and scored two touchdowns, on a three-yard run and on a 15-yad pass from quarterback CJ Johnson, as No. 3 Billings West (4-1, 3-0) cruised to a 40-0 victory over Great Falls CMR (2-3, 1-2).
“It’s always fun when you’re partying up with your guys out on the field and just having a great time,” said Ludwig after the game as he and other Golden Bears visited with well-wishers on the field.
CJ Johnson fired three touchdowns for the Golden Bears, who won their fourth-straight game, and the West defense pitched its second-straight shutout.
West’s defense even got in on the scoring as Jack Ryan had a 20-yard interception return for a touchdown with 5:44 on the clock in the third as the Golden Bears built their lead to 33-0. The pick-6 was part of a 1-2 punch by the Bears, as it occurred on CMR’s first play after Johnson found Ludwig for a 15-yard TD and a 27-0 lead at 5:52 of the third.
“It was awesome being able to move the ball around and get work done,” said Ludwig. “I mean we obviously put up 40 points and we shut them down to zero. So, the defense did their job today and the offense is moving powerfully up and down the field. And it was just a great, great day.”
Johnson called West’s defense “the best in the state. And if we can just continue this we’ll go definitely far in the playoffs. I’m just super excited about that. We’ll just continue to get better as the year moves on.”
West coach Rob Stanton was tickled with his team after the game, calling the contest “probably the best game we played all year from start to finish,” but noted the Bears “still have some things we can get better at and clean up, but not too bad.”
For Johnson, it was an extra special day. The 5-foot-10, 170-pound senior quarterback who has committed to Rocky Mountain College threw touchdowns of 40 yards to Elias Bonner, 15 yards to Ludwig, and 26 yards to Jaxon King — was honored at halftime as the homecoming king.
“I’m super excited about that,” said Johnson of the Bears’ game and being named homecoming king. “It’s just super fun spending that time with our senior friends. And you know, it’s super, super electric out here and just trying to get that win overall.”
Of his big day passing the ball, Johnson said “you know it’s just kind of who I am. I’m just kind of a gunslinger and kind of let it rip a little bit. So, I just trust my guys and we’ve got a lot of the best skills in the state too, to I’m just kind of letting it loose and just letting the game flow.”
Payton Cicero, coming off a three-touchdown performance in a 35-0 victory over Billings Senior on Sept. 19, scored West’s first touchdown on a one-yard run at 8:35 of the first quarter.
King, who kicked four extra-points for the Bears, scored West’s final touchdown when he hauled in a pass from Johnson to start the running clock at 3:06 of the third.
Time clicked off the clock pretty fast after that and soon after the Bears were celebrating with their fans.
“I tell you what, the student section, the fans, I mean everything about this place is so super cool,” said Johnson. “I just can’t wait for more memories throughout this year.”
West will meet Billings Skyview at Daylis on Oct. 3 at 7 p.m.
“Obviously our first goal is to win the division,” said Johnson. “And so, we’re just kind of day by day, practice by practice. We’re just getting better and better and that’s what we’re looking forward to is winning our division.”
Ludwig echoed Johnson and said the Bears will keep working throughout the regular season to put themselves in the best position possible for the playoffs.
“We’re going to keep pushing hard every day and work our way to our goal of that state championship,” said Ludwig. “And we’re going to hold each other to the highest standard. Our motto is ‘play with heart, lead with faith,’ and that’ something that we’re going to hold each other to.”
Email Gazette Sports Editor John Letasky at john.letasky@406mtsports.com or follow him on X/Twitter at @GazSportsJohnL
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