Braves knock off Butte in AA opener

When Flathead faced Butte last month, the Braves jumped out to an early lead, built it to 29-0 by halftime and went on to win convincingly. Talk about a case of deja vu.

On the third play from scrimmage, Butte QB Willie Sullivan dropped back to pass and as he released the ball it slipped out of his hands right into the grasp of Flathead junior Daniel Ogden, who raced down to the Bulldogs 5-yard line. Senior Scott Cassel ran it in on the next play as the Braves went up 7-0 just over 90 seconds into the game.

And things got worse for Butte on the third play of its next drive when Sullivan rolled his ankle on an option play, forcing in backup QB Brett Bond. But then something strange happened the Bulldogs started fighting back.

They (Butte) talked about not getting off the bus last time and when we jumped on them early again tonight, our kids probably thought the same thing, Flathead coach Grady Bennett said. But I give them credit because they came to play.

The Bulldogs tied the game at 7-7 in the second quarter and were up 14-13 heading into the fourth as the life seemed gone from the Flathead sideline. But thats when the Braves offense went to work, scoring 15 fourth-quarter points to top Butte 28-14 Friday night in front of an ecstatic crowd at Legends Stadium for the Class AA playoff opener. It was Flatheads first playoff win since 2003 and its first home postseason victory since beating Billings Skyview in 2001.

This feels so unbelievable; its the first playoff game Ive ever been in in my life, said Ogden, a junior defensive lineman. People have been doubting us all year because were the nobodies from the Northwest.

But were somebodies tonight.

Ogden was an integral part of a defense that held the Bulldogs to only seven first downs and less than three yards per carry on the ground. Flathead also forced five turnovers in the contest (2 fumbles, 3 interceptions).

Our front four (Ogden, Damian Farrier, Richard Boggs and Brian Bennett) did such a great job tonight, Ogden said. Our linebackers did a great job backing us up and our defensive backs (Garrett Smith and Chris Hooley) did a nice job picking off those passes.

As well as the defense played, though, the offense had to step up in order for No. 3 Flathead to avoid an upset. And with the way junior QB Reed Watkins was playing, the Braves chances of a comeback were marginal, at best. In fact, Bennett told freshman backup Brock Osweiler to warm up at halftime.

That didnt sit too well with Watkins.

As soon as I told Brock to start throwing, he (Watkins) got pretty mad, the coach said. But he wasnt about to be taken out of this game, and he got himself together and settled down.

Thats what I love about him hes such a competitor.

And that competitor rallied for two long TD passes, a 24-yard fade to Nick Haegele to give the Braves the lead and a 30-yard fly pass to Foston Reilly (7 catches, 112 yards, 2 TDs) for some much-needed insurance. Watkins finished 12-of-22 passing for 196 yards, with 3 TDs and a pick.

I dont know why I was struggling early. I think a one-percent difference and we would have had some big plays, Watkins said. But when I almost got pulled it really motivated me.

Flathead will travel to Helena Capital, 28-7 winners over C.M Russell on Friday, for the semifinals next week. If that school sounds familiar, it was Flatheads last playoff victim, in 03. And the Braves wouldnt mind a repeat performance.

I told the guys that this team has too much potential and theres too much at stake to let the season end now, Bennett said. This team has worked so hard.

For us to go 3-7 last year to now be in the semifinals is unbelievable.