Glacier drubs Big Sky, 38-19

Glacier poured it on early, dominating Missoula Big Sky every phase of the game in a 38-19 win in a Class AA football game on Friday at Legends Stadium.

It took the Wolfpack (5-1) just 79 seconds to score the first touchdown, when Logan Jones took a swing pass 41 yards untouched up the sideline. It was the first sign of a big offensive night for the Wolfpack.

Jones caught seven passes for 155 yards a pair of touchdowns and consistently gashed the Eagles (0-6) defense with yards after the catch. The Wolfpack offense was hitting on all levels and built a 24-0 lead before showing any weakness in the game.

“I thought tonight was a workman-like effort,” Glacier coach Grady Bennett said. “Their kids play tough. They bring it, really pack the box.

“Logan is so tough ... Every time he touches it he can go (for a touchdown). Same with Evan (Epperly). I really like the options we have offensively.”

The quick out routes to receivers opened up the defense for a Glacier running game that has been overpowering this season. Noah James showed his strength on multiple plays, highlighted by a 40-yard touchdown in the second quarter when he broke through five tackles to scamper free and sprint towards the end zone.

Epperly also had a big game, breaking free for two touchdowns, the first on a deep post, splitting the Big Sky safeties for a 30-yard touchdown. He would score again just before halftime to answer Big Sky’s first touchdown of the game, cutting through the defense on a quick slant to give Glacier a 31-6 lead.

Epperly finished with 80 yards receiving and quarterback Brady McChesney was 16 for 22 for 280 yards passing and four touchdowns. The offense had 418 yards while rarely holding the ball in the game. Glacier only ran 50 plays and spent much of its time on defense as Big Sky plodded down the field.

“(Our defense) plays so tough, then we score in one or two plays and they have to go right back out (on the field),” Bennett said. “It seems like those kids get to play the whole game.”

The Glacier defense kept up its recent penchant for takeaways, forcing five fumbles and pulling in two interceptions, both by safety Orie Mann.

Big Sky’s best offense came on deep balls to wide receiver Alex Mustard, who caught nine passes for 163 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Glacier hits the road for its final game outside of Kalispell next week, playing if not its biggest road game, the game on the biggest stage. The Wolfpack will play Missoula Sentinel (4-2) in Washington-Grizzly Stadium on the campus of the University of Montana.

Big Sky 0 6 0 13 — 19

Glacier 10 21 7 0 — 38

First quarter

G — Logan Jones 42 pass from Brady McChesney (Brandon Purdy kick), 10:41

G — Purdy 21 field goal, 2:04

Second quarter

G — Noah James 40 run (Purdy kick), 5:31

G — Evan Epperly 30 pass from McChesney (Purdy kick), 3:24

BS — Alex Mustard 34 pass from Jesson Preston (kick failed), 0:55

G — Epperly 11 pass from McChesney (Purdy kick), 0:17

Third quarter

G — Jones 41 pass from McChesney (Purdy kick), 9:16

Fourth quarter

BS — Michael Banna 15 pass from Preston (pass failed)

BS — Mustard 43 catch from Preston (Preston kick)

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BS Gla

First downs 13 16

Rushes-yards 32-83 28-138

Passing 215 280

Comp-Att-Int 14-35-2 16-22-2

Fumbles-lost 5-0 2-2

Penalties 13-72 10-75

INDIVIDUAL STATS

RUSHING — Big Sky: Jesson Preston 6-14, Cory Diaz 18-56, Michael Banna 3-13, Alex Mustard 1-(-6), Ryan Glenn 3-14, Chance Maes 1-(-8). Glacier: Brady McChesney 7-2, Leif Ericksen 1-(-6), Jake Willitch 1-(-10), Noah James 8-75, Logan Jones 4-46, Caleb Jones 2-5, Thomas Trafney 3-29, Casey Kostecki 2-(-3).

PASSING — Big Sky: Jesson Preston 14-34-215-2, Chance Maes 0-1-0-0. Glacier: Brady McChesney 16-22-280-2.

RECEIVING — Big Sky: Cory Diaz 1-4, Michael Banna 2-24, Alex Mustard 9-163, Preston Stewart 2-24. Glacier: Noah James 1-3, Logan Jones 7-155, Evan Epperly 4-80, Sam McCamley 4-71, Caleb Jones 1-5.