Flathead has another stiff test - at Helena Bengals

A big, physical offensive line, a returning quarterback, a returning running back and a ton of offensive experience.

The assignments don't get any easier for the Flathead Braves football team.

The Braves (0-1) are coming off a 41-27 loss last week to CMR. They travel to Helena tonight to take on the Helena High Bengals (1-0).

Game time is 7 at Vigilante Stadium.

The Braves and the Bengals have played some exciting games in the past two years - Flathead has been on the losing end of both. The Braves lost 10-7 in 2006, then fell 27-23 at Legends Stadium last year - after coming within a yard of the end zone on the last play of the game.

"It's been two great games. We're going to have to find a way to make a few more plays in the fourth quarter," said Flathead coach Russell McCarvel.

"They are very physical up front. They have one of the best offensive lines in the state."

Senior center Toby Erickson is one of the best offensive linemen in the state, McCarvel said.

"He's a great player for them. He's a big, physical player. He's a dominant player on the inside. They're going to want to run behind him, for sure," McCarvel said.

The Bengals are going to want to run, period.

They rushed 59 times for 323 yards in a 27-20 win over Billings Senior last week.

"Defensively, we have to stop their running attack. When they throw it, it's play action. We are going to have to stop the run, without a doubt," McCarvel said.

The Braves are hoping to do a better job running the ball themselves this week.

They were held to 81 rushing yards last week - and quarterback Brock Osweiler had 63 of those yards.

"I think we are going to have to run the ball some. But our forte is throwing the ball," McCarvel said.

Osweiler was 18-for-32 for 386 yards last week. He passed 6,000 career yards midway through the first quarter.

"We will have to do a great job with our assignments in our pass protection. Defensively, they run a 3-4, they do a lot of blitzing and they're very creative in their blitzes."

"We had a couple of opportunities (last week). I think the key was us not scoring a touchdown when we were up 27-19. When you are given those opportunities in any game, you have to take advantage of them," he said.

"Offensively, we have to take advantage of the opportunities that are given to us."

The Braves do have one injury from last week - junior lineman Jeremy Grosswiler suffered a knee injury. He is listed as 'probable' for tonight's game.