Somebody is leaving Legends Stadium Friday with their first loss of the season as Glacier hosts Missoula Sentinel, while Flathead looks for their second win of the season on the road against defending AA champions Helena Capital.
The Wolfpack and Spartans bring in matching 5-0 records Friday, but with different ways of getting there.
Glacier ran an early gauntlet knocking off Billings West, Butte and Missoula Hellgate on the road, while besting Bozeman and Helena Capital at home thanks to a high-powered offense spearheaded by quarterback Jackson Presley and running back Asher Knopik.
Sentinel has stifled any and all offense it has faced, pitching a pair of shutouts and allowing just seven points to Hellgate and Butte the past two weeks. Helena put up 24 points against the Spartans but needed double overtime to do it before falling 31-24.
“Coach (Dane) Oliver is one of the best at breaking you down and finding a way to break down your weaknesses,” Wolfpack coach Grady Bennett said. “He’s a good coach so we know that he will be ready for us and have things prepared.”
Glacier will need to continue to execute like it has the first half of the season to keep a perfect record alive.
“There’s a belief and trust in our guys that if we execute, we are going to give people trouble,” Bennett said.
Bennett noted a big target for the Spartans on Friday is Sam Sirmon.
Sirmon — the youngest of three brothers bearing the same surname, and Camden and Danny both became Division I athletes — hauled in five catches last time out against Butte.
Rudy Hess is another name for fans to remember Friday; the Spartan quarterback is a true dual threat with more rushes than pass attempts this season. Hess has five rushing touchdowns. He and running back Kaden Thennis are combining for over 150 yards per game on the ground.
“We are going to have to do a good job of assigning the quarterback in the run game and tackling him well,” Bennett said.
Braves take on Bruins
Last Friday was a game to forget for the Flathead Braves, and according to head coach Mac Roche, his team has done a good job of moving on.
Next on the docket for the 1-3 Braves is a road trip to the take on defending champion Helena Capital, a team who Roche says is much better than its 1-4 record shows.
“They are going to be well-coached and their kids are going to be flying around with tenacity all game,” Roche said of the Bruins.
One positive for the Braves is they have a knowledge of the environment at Vigilante Stadium after playing Helena two weeks ago.
“The guys know the turf and the stadium atmosphere, Capital has a great environment,” Roche said.
On the field, the Braves need to execute.
“For us it’s go in and attack each play and if we do that we will have success at the end of the night,” Roche said.
The Braves expect Nolan Campbell back Friday, but Roche noted he will be limited after injuring his elbow against Missoula Hellgate three weeks ago.
Leum Saisbury filled Campbell’s spot in the backfield and ran for over 100 yards in both games he started.
“Saisbury has been phenomenal, kid has great vision,” Roche said. “I could not say enough about how impressed I am with how he has filled that role.”
Expect to see both Saisbury and Campbell taking snaps in the backfield Friday.
As for the Bruins, the offense revolves around running back Brit Linder. He averages 122 yards per game and has six touchdowns on the ground.
“Offensively they try to get him the ball just about every play and I don’t blame them,” Roche said.
Roche also pointed out lineman Derek Opitz as a difference maker for the Bruins, opening holes for the ground game. Opitz has committed to play for the University of Montana.
At quarterback the Bruins have seen a pair of players splitting reps this season: Gunnar Fawthrop and Carson Toivonen.
Toivonen took the helm solely in the Bruins loss against crosstown rival Helena a week ago, going 22-for-35 with two touchdowns and an interception in the 27-24 loss.
Friday Night Lights
Flathead at Capital: 6 p.m., Vigilante Stadium (KGEZ 96.5FM)
Sentinel at Glacier: 7 p.m., Legends Stadium (KZMN 103.9FM)