Football season finally arrives for Braves

By DIXIE KNUTSON

Flathead entertains Billings Skyview (0-1)

The Daily Inter Lake

It's finally time for the Flathead Braves to play football.

The Braves watched last weekend as everybody else in Montana opened their seasons.

Tonight, finally, it's Flathead's turn.

"We've been going for three long weeks. It's just time, it's time to play," said third-year coach Grady Bennett.

"We're definitely ready to get after another color."

The Braves take on Billings Skyview (0-1) at 7 p.m. at Legends Stadium.

Skyview fell 42-7 last Friday to Helena Capital.

"They run the wing-t. They want to run the ball. That's predominantly what they do," Bennett said.

"(The Falcons) goal - they want to make your offense watch the game."

A perfect drive for Skyview will last about a dozen plays and chew up 6-8 minutes.

The Falcons got that done one time last week against the Bruins - a 77-yard, 17 play scoring drive in the first half. All in all, 11 Skyview players rushed for 182 yards that night.

"A lot of different guys are going to get carries," Bennett said.

"It'll definitely be a good test right off the bat, just to see how our kids react."

"Obviously, our goal is to limit their long drives. The key for us defensively is to play disciplined assignment football. It's really important to stay to your assignment and trust your teammate."

Offensively, Flathead's goal for the evening may be just a bit out of character.

"Control the clock," Bennett said.

"We're not an offense that generally talks about controlling big chunks of the clock."

Indeed. Just a few weeks ago, Bennett talked of spreading the field, putting sophomore quarterback Brock Osweiler in the shotgun and letting him pull the trigger.

"We are going to spread the field more," he said. "I'm excited to watch that group. We've just got some kids who are going to be weapons."

Bennett has given Osweiler a goal of 60-percent completions for the night and he expects big contributions from wide receivers Nick Haegele (6-foot11, 187 pounds) , Brandon Schmaus (6-2, 191) and Geoff Hogan (6-5, 195).

"Our offensive line made big strides this week," he added.

"They know if they protect Brock - and give him time - he'll find all of his weapons."