Braves blank Spartans

The Daily Inter Lake

MISSOULA - Another sterling performance by the defense and two short touchdown runs by Scott Cassel gave Flathead a 27-0 victory over Missoula Sentinel Friday afternoon in Class AA football.

Flathead, 6-2 in league and 6-3 overall, led 7-0 at the half on Cassel's 3-yard TD run.

The Braves had a dropped ball in the end zone that would have put them in front 14-0 at the break.

"Seventy-five yard drive," said FHS coach Grady Bennett of Flathead's first score.

"We relaxed a little bit too much (after that). Give Sentinel credit, they played hard."

Flathead finally went on top 14-0 early in the third period when outside linebacker Burke Schaible returned an interception 23 yards for a touchdown.

The Braves then scored twice in the final frame - 5-yard run by Dan Ogden and a 2-yard run by Cassel - to ice the contest.

The final score was set up by Colton Weber. The FHS middle linebacker returned an interception to the Sentinel 2-yard line. Cassel scored on the next play.

It was the second shutout of the season for the FHS defense. After four road games, the Braves have allowed just 15 points.

"Our defense, again, played a phenomenal game," said Bennett.

"Unbelievable. What we're doing on the road is unprecedented in Class AA football."

For the game, Flathead outgained Sentinel 274-36. Sentinel finished with minus 45 yards rushing.

Cassell led the Braves' ground game with 89 yards on 19 carries. Odgen had 32 yards on five tries. As a team, FHS had 167 yards on 41 attempts.

Jareth Wilson had two receptions for 63 yards.

Brock Osweiler competed three of eight passes for 88 yards and Reed Watkins was two of three for 29 yards.

Flathead will carry a four-game winning streak into the regular-season finale next Friday at Bozeman.

Sentinel, 0-8 and 0-9, finishes with Helena High at home.

BRAVES 27, SPARTANS 0

Flathead 7 0 7 13 - 27

Missoula Sentinel 0 0 0 0 - 0

F - Scott Cassel 3 run (Cody Haugen kick)

F - Burke Schaible 23 interception return (Haugen kick)

F - Dan Ogden 5 run (Haugen kick)

F - Cassel 2 run (kick failed)

F MS

First downs 13 9

Rushes-yards 41-167 19-(-45)

Passing yards 117 81

Passing (com-att-int) 5-11-1 19-32-3

Fumbles-lost 3-1 4-1

Penalties 10-83 10-97

Individual

Rushing - Flathead, Cassel 19-89, Ogden 5-32, Reed Watkins 9-32, Ben Moyers 2-14, Shane Komenda 3-9; Sentinel, Brock Alonzo 2-16.

Passing - Flathead, Brock Osweiler 3-8-0-88, Watkins 2-3-1-29; Sentinel, Jordan Graves 19-32-3-81.

Receiving - Flathead, Jareth Wilson 2-63, Foston Reilly 1-25, Ogden 1-15, Sam Tedrow 1-14; Sentinel, Dylan Seigers 7-76.