Big Sky uses fast start to top Flathead

| October 10, 2004 1:00 AM

The Daily Inter Lake

MISSOULA - Big Sky scored three touchdowns in the first half and added two second-half field goals to defeat Flathead 27-7 Saturday night in Class AA football action.

After giving up the early scores - one of which was more the result of a turnover than poor defense - Flathead went toe-to-toe with the Eagles for the most part.

"I am very, very proud of our kids," FHS coach Grady Bennett said. "Big Sky is one of the most physical teams in the state and I think our kids played well.

"I thought our defense settled down. We've been putting our defense in such bad positions with the turnovers. They played well.

"Big Sky has some amazing athletes."

The Braves (1-6 overall, 1-5 conference) had a rough go of it offensively, gaining just 181 yards. Starting quarterback Luke Gallagher struggled, going just 2-of-11 for 13 yards before he left the game after a freak accident.

After throwing a pass, Gallagher's elbow got stuck in the facemask of a Big Sky lineman. It took more than 20 minutes to extricate the elbow, after which Gallagher was unable to continue.

Junior Jason Russell relieved and engineered Flathead's only scoring drive, culminating with a 17-yard pass to Jareth Wilson. Russell finished the evening 4-of-10 for 75 yards and an interception.

The Braves travel to Butte on Friday.

EAGLES 27, BRAVES 7

Flathead 0 7 0 0 - 7

Big Sky 14 7 3 3 - 27

B - Carter McGrath 25 run (Paul Morris kick)

B - Morris 8 pass from Tom Langan (Morris kick)

B - Tyler Palmer 40 pass from Langan (Morris kick)

F - Jareth Wilson 17 pass from Jason Russell

B - Morris 21 FG

Rushing: Flathead 26-93 (Reece Stahlberg 17-57, Luke Gallagher 5-40, Jason Russell 4- (-11)), Big Sky 28-138 (Carter McGrath 26-129, Tom Langan 2-9).

Passing: Flathead 6-21-1-88 (Russell 4-10-1-75, Gallagher 2-11-0-13), Big Sky 14-23-0-197 (Langan 14-23-0-197).

Receiving: Flathead 6-75 (Stahlberg 2-39, Jareth Wilson 2-36, Beau Borowski 1-4, Geoffrey Hogan 1-9), Big Sky 14-197 (Tyler Palmer 8-146, Paul Morris 3-12, Jace Palmer 2-39, Sean Rabe 1-4).