Close call for Knights

COLUMBIA FALLS - If football is a game of inches, the Glacier Knights appear centimeters from a breakthrough - and light-years ahead of last month.

The Knights (0-5) lost Saturday's Rocky Mountain Football League game 6-0 to the Great Falls Gladiators (2-3). But playing to within one touchdown of their first victory illustrates their considerable improvement.

Glacier opened its season April 7 with a 34-0 drubbing at Great Falls. The Knights lost their next two games by a combined 105 points before hanging with Helena last week and giving Great Falls all it could handle Saturday.

Mike Pease rumbled 36 yards into the end zone, giving Great Falls the lead with 5:58 left in the first quarter. The Gladiators didn't score - and seldom threatened - again.

After Great Falls running back Keith Deboo raced outside Glacier's containment for a few early gains - including a 28-yard sweep preceding Pease's touchdown - the Knights' defense adjusted and stiffened.

Glacier utilized its "spread monster" front, with defensive linemen spaced far apart to taper Great Falls' outside rushing lanes. When the Gladiators countered with inside handoffs, Glacier returned to its base 4-4 and plugged the middle.

"Our defense - I stay up 'til like 3 in the morning creating it," Glacier coach Ron LaTray said. "It's not something you'll see on NFL Network or Madden."

Thought unconventional, Glacier's defense kept its struggling offense on the field, forcing three Great Falls turnovers.

The Knights nearly tied the game on their final possession, but a Gladiator defensive back tipped Ryan Bennett's beautiful fourth-down pass just beyond Brett Wagner's fingertips near the goal line.

Bennett completed nine of 21 passes, but a sack and several well-covered screens left him with -8 yards.

Dan Holguin led the Knights with two catches for 28 yards, including a 24-yard third-quarter grab from backup quarterback Jason Bulik on a fake punt from Glacier's 30-yard line.

Jason Zielanski gained 26 yards on 11 carries. He took a toss to the right on Glacier's first play from scrimmage, cutting against the grain for a 22-yard burst.

Zielanski also recorded nine tackles on defense, along with linebacker Tony Rojo. Defensive end Eric Bachofner made 3 1/2 tackles, along with an interception and fumble recovery.

Knights free safety Kashawn Miller snagged a red zone interception in the waning seconds of the first half. He raced untouched into Great Falls territory, but the play was blown dead by an inadvertent whistle.

"Compared to last week, everybody brought heart, fire, played for 60 minutes," Zielanski said. "I'm proud of this team. We're right there, we just need a few more plays to go our way."

Zielanski said Glacier's defensive improvement is due to "everybody being in the right alignment and assignment. Knowing where they're supposed to be - gap sound."

Glacier right guard Steve Biggs led an offensive line that allowed just one sack. He also anchored the Knights' defensive front from his tackle position.

"Each and every game we're getting better," Biggs said. "We're getting better execution. That's what it is - it's timing. We were one play away from winning that game."

Glacier's best chance to score came on its first drive. The Knights marched down to Great Falls' 23-yard line before Kyle Burgess' long field goal missed wide left.

"A loss is a loss, and it's frustrating," LaTray said. "But when you look up and it's 6-0 compared to 34-0, it's uplifting."

The Knights' next chance at victory comes next Saturday at Helena. The Titans beat them 20-3 on May 5.

Great Falls 6 0 0 0 - 6

Glacier 0 0 0 0 - 0

First Quarter

GF - Mike Pease 36 run (kick failed), 5:58

Glacier Individual Statistics

Rushing - Jason Zielanski 11-26, Kevin Brown 2-5, Dre Wilson 1-(-3).

Passing - Ryan Bennett 9-21-0-(-8), Jason Bulik 1-1-0-24.

Receiving - Thomas Evans 1-15, Dan Holguin 2-28, Austin Owens 1-7, Wilson 2-(-16), Zielanski 2-(-1), Brown 1-(-8), Will Wheat 1-(-2).

Missed field goal - Kyle Burgess 1-41.