Flathead, Great Falls both searching for first win

Flathead seeks its first win today at 7 p.m. when it hosts Great Falls High at Legends Stadium, and if it’s going to avoid dropping to 0-3, it’s going to have to find more consistent success on offense, coach Russell McCarvel said.

Offensive consistency has eluded the Braves in their first two games this season.

After starting strong with 21 points in the first half of their opener against Billings Senior, they Braves were shutout in the second half. Then they scored just seven points in their week two loss against Missoula Big Sky.

“We’ve made some good plays here and there, but we need to be more consistent,” McCarvel said.

“That is one of our main focuses.”

Flathead wide receiver Kevin Grosswiler said offensive success against Great Falls could hinge on how well they handle the Bison’s blitz-heavy defense.

“We’ve been working on picking up their blitzes and what we can run off their blitzes,” Grosswiler said.

The Braves aren’t the only team seeking their first win.

Great Falls also enters 0-2 after losses to Billings West and Bozeman, but McCarvel said the Bison are a dangerous team.

“When we watch them on film, they do a lot of good things,” he said.

“Defensively they’re big up front. Offensively they’ve got a nice power run game and an excellent quarterback.”

With both teams in search of their first win, Flathead safety Tucker Toelke said he anticipates a close game.

 “I think it’s going to be a pretty tight game because both of us are pretty hungry,” he said.

McCarvel cited Great Falls’ two 280-pound defensive tackles as a concern as his offense looks to get on track.

That girth in the trenches has helped Great Falls rank third in Class AA in rushing defense, holding its opponents to 66.5 rushing yards per game, and second in total defense, allowing just 168 yards per game.

Its offense hasn’t been as successful, ranking last in the league with 113 yards per game.

The Bison are quarterbacked by Colby Sukut, who has completed 58 percent of his passes for an average of 164 passing yards. Great Falls’ running game gained just 26 yards in its opener against Billings West, but rebounded with 106 yards in last week’s 31-7 loss to Bozeman.

Great Falls running back Colter Posey was the team’s quarterback last season, giving the Bison versatility at the skill positions.

“Defensively we’ve been focusing on keying on their quarterback and running back,” Toelke said.

 “They like to run a wildcat set, so it’s important to stay home because their running back can be their quarterback.”

Flathead’s offensive leaders through two games are quarterback Matt Tokarz and running back Austin Root.

Tokarz averages 4.8 yards per carry and 59.5 yards per game while Root averages 5.1 per carry and 58.5 per game.