Football preview: Braves vs. Hawks

Tonight's opponent: Bozeman High (1-6)

Game time: 7 p.m. at Bozeman High School

Last week: Flathead (3-4) was plowed over by a No. 3 Helena Capital team that rushed for 419 yards en route to a 55-7 win.

Braves coach Russell McCarvel said his team's focus this week has been on Bozeman, not dissecting the lop-sided loss to Capital.

"We didn't really watch any Capital tape as a team," he said. "Our whole focus as a team has been to look forward not back."

Last year: The Hawks topped the Braves 48-7 for their fifth win during a season that ended with Bozeman winning the Class AA state championship.

Injuries in the backfield: Senior running back John Collins sat out against Helena Capital with a sore ankle. Collins' 364 rushing yards is second only to quarterback Matt Tokarz, who has 619.

McCarvel said Thursday that he isn't sure whether or not Collins will be in the lineup against the Hawks.

"It will be a game time decision," he said.

Another running back, junior Austin Root, will not suit up against Bozeman due to an injury. He has run for 94 yards and two touchdowns this season.

Michael Managhan paced the rushing attack against Capital, carrying the ball 26 times for 95 yards. He has 303 yards and a touchdown so far this season.

Big game for Flathead: The Braves defense has looked porous in recent weeks, giving up a combined 954 yards in losses to No. 4 Glacier and No. 3 Helena Capital.

McCarvel has said the team will need to win its final three games against Bozeman, C.M. Russell and Missoula Hellgate if it hopes to earn a trip to the playoffs.

The Hawks have six losses this season, but have taken several games to the wire and won't likely roll over for the Braves.

Billings Skyview edged Bozeman 28-25 last week. Other losses include Sentinel (14-12), Great Falls (17-13), Big Sky (37-30) and Glacier (24-14).

"They could easily have four, five wins right now," McCarvel said. "They've played really well and they have lots of good players. Their young players have really come on."

Bozeman players to watch: The youth of Bozeman is evident at the quarterback position where sophomore Will Weyer has completed 90 passes for 1,422 yards and 13 touchdowns this season.

"At times, he's been terrific," McCarvel said.

Another key component of the Hawks offense is running back Hunter Gappmeyer. He's run for 638 yards and two touchdowns and is averaging 5.7 yards per carry.

"They try to be balanced (on offense)," McCarvel said. "They have a good running back and their quarterback gets better and better every week."

Keys for Flathead: The Braves will look to limit turnovers this week after a game in which Helena Capital snagged five interceptions.

"Absolutely, we need to not turn the ball over," McCarvel said. "Defensively, we have to stop the run and eliminate the big passing game."

Flathead offense: The Braves entered their game with Helena Capital with the top total offense and rushing offense in all of Class AA.

The loss dropped them from the peak of both categories.

Flathead is now ranked third in rushing offense behind Billings Senior and Helena High. The team dropped to fifth in total offense with a total of 2,559 yards on the season.

McCarvel said he's not really concerned with the statistics. He just wants the Braves to leave Bozeman with a win.

"I think the big thing is to go down there and get a win, however it happens," McCarvel said. "Our players need to find a way to win."