Big Sky rolls past Flathead
MISSOULA — Flathead couldn’t stop Missoula Big Sky’s passing game Friday as the Braves lost their second Class AA football game of the season, 44-7.
Big Sky quarterback Cole Baker completed 23 of 29 pass attempts for 366 yards. Ten of those passes went to wide receiver Nico Graham, who racked up 145 receiving yards.
“They completed some tough balls on us,” Flathead coach Russell McCarvel said. “We had guys in good coverage and they still completed some big pass plays.”
McCarvel said he knew Big Sky (1-1) would be a formidable opponent after studying the Eagles on tape.
“It was not a surprise that they did a good job because I knew they were a good team from watching them on film,” he said.
Big Sky’s offense didn’t waste any time as Baker took advantage of favorable field position to lead his team to two touchdown drives in the first quarter.
Nico Graham tacked on a field goal in the second quarter to put Big Sky ahead 17-0 at the half.
Baker completed two touchdown passes in the third quarter to extend the Big Sky lead to 31-0 before Flathead running back Austin Root muscled his way up the middle for a 3-yard touchdown run to put the Braves on the board early in the fourth.
That would be the only bright spot for Flathead, which mustered just 192 yards of offense. Quarterback Matt Tokarz completed 15 of 27 pass attempts for 116 yards and ran for 37 yards on 13 carries. Kevin Grosswiler was his top target, catching seven passes for 50 yards. Root ran nine times for 39 yards.
“I was a little disappointed in our offense,” McCarvel said. “We just weren’t as cohesive as we usually are.”
Bky Sky tacked on two rushing touchdowns in the fourth quarter to conclude the scoring.
“I can’t fault our effort,” McCarvel said. “We had guys that played hard the whole time. That was the big positive. Dylan Torgerson punted very well, Kevin Grosswiler did a good job catching the ball and Austin Root ran hard for us.”
Flathead 0 0 0 7 – 7
Big Sky 14 3 14 13 – 44
First quarter
MBS – Olan Donaldson 14 pass from Cole Baker (Nico Graham kick), 5:04
MBS – Ethan Donaldson 11 pass from Baker (Graham kick), :51
Second quarter
MBS – FG Graham 26, :37
Third quarter
MBS – O. Donaldson 23 pass from Baker (Graham kick), 8:49
MBS – E. Donaldson 13 pass from Baker (Graham kick), 5:28
Fourth quarter
F – Austin Root 3 run (Dylan Torgerson kick), 11:50
MBS – Ryan Flink 2 run (kick failed), 8:46
MBS – Scotty Morgan 1 run (Jesson Preston kick), 1:37
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING – Flathead (22-76): Root 9-39, Matt Tokarz 13-37. Big Sky (40-109): Jay Owens 15-87, Morgan 7-27, Flink 6-13, Ryan Glenn 3-13, Preston 3-5, Baker 5-(-36).
PASSING – Flathead: Matt Tokarz 15-27-0-116. Big Sky: Baker 23-29-0–366.
RECEIVING – Flathead: Kevin Grosswiler 7-50, Jerum AuClaire 3-25, William Cronk 2-25, Trampus Barton 1-11, Nick Iavicoli 1-9, Tucker Toelke 1-6. Big Sky: Graham 10-145, E. Donaldson 3-79, Alex Mustard 5-67, Owens 3-38, O. Donaldson 2-37.