Flathead faces huge homecoming challenge versus No. 4 Helena High

After an 0-3 start, the Flathead Braves are hungry for a win, but it won’t come easy.

Next up for Flathead is the Helena High Bengals (2-1), a team that beat the Braves 33-3 a year ago in Helena and advanced to the semifinals of the Class AA state playoffs.

“They’re always one of the top three or four teams in the state,” Flathead coach Russell McCarvel said.

“I think they look very similar (to last year), maybe even a little better, and they were a great team last year.”

Fresh off a 23-17 win over Glacier last week, Helena ranks fourth in the state’s Associated Press poll, but Flathead linebacker Nick Iavicoli said the Braves are embracing their underdog role.

“I think we’re a threat now because we’re coming in there 0-3, and nobody wants to lose to us,” Iavicoli said.

“I think we’re due for a win. We’ve been working our butts off in practice and we’ve only been getting better. We haven’t been getting worse.”

Flathead’s run-heavy offense piled up 252 yards on the ground last week against Great Falls when quarterback Matt Tokarz and running back Austin Root each tallied over 100 yards, but a more balanced approach will likely be needed against Helena, which is holding its opponents to a state-best 121 rushing yards per game.

“Helena’s been great against the run for years,” McCarvel said.

“We hope to run the ball a little bit, but we’re going to have to mix it up. We won’t be able to hand it off and run up the middle like we did against Great Falls High.”

Offensively, Helena boasts one of the most balanced attacks in the state as it has gained 551 yards on the ground and 542 yards through the air. Iavicoli said that means Flathead’s defense will have to stay engaged on every play.

“We really need to be plugged in, checking the sidelines for the plays,” he said. “We’ve got to really key in and play the fundamentals of football.”

Despite outgaining Great Falls 449-343 last week, the Braves lost 47-33, largely because they turned the ball over five times. For the season, Flathead has a state-worst minus-7 turnover margin, but it’s making an effort to fix that number.

“We’re always trying to protect the ball better,” McCarvel said.

“It was very disappointing to go out and turn it over like that. Hopefully this week we’ll go out and be better at it.”

Iavicoli said the defense, which has only forced one turnover this season, is also focused on improving the turnover margin. “We’ve really been focusing on stripping the ball in practice,” he said.

Today’s homecoming game kicks off at 7 p.m. at Legends stadium.

“It’s a tall order for us, but I know our guys are excited,” McCarvel said. “We had a good week of practice and they’ll be ready to play.”