Flathead looks to keep it rolling vs. Billings Skyview

A week after an exhilarating last-minute win over Great Falls High, the Flathead Braves will host a Billings Skyview team licking its wounds after a lopsided loss to Bozeman in their home opener today at 7 p.m. at Legends Stadium.

Bozeman pounded Skyview 48-19 last Friday in Billings, but Flathead coach Russell McCarvel said he expects Skyview to be a dangerous opponent.

“The score of that game last week was not really indicative of that game,” McCarvel said. It was closer than that score indicated. Bozeman has an outstanding team, but Skyview definitely has a good team.”

Skyview (0-1) managed to run for 176 yards in the losing effort and slowing down its potent rushing attack will be key for the Braves.

“They’re a very tough, physical, hard-nosed running team,” McCarvel said. “Their style of play emulates their coach and coaching staff. Coach (Ron) Lebsock is a tough, hard-nosed guy and that’s how the Skyview Falcons play on both sides of the ball.”

Alex Picicci led Skyview’s ground attack against Bozeman with 16 carries for 55 yards. Drake Schafer ran for 35 yards on eight carries before leaving with an injury and Nathan Borer picked up 36 yards on five carries.

The Falcons use a Wing-T formation to confuse opponents with counters and misdirection and McCarvel said they do an excellent job executing it.

“I coached twice with Coach Lebsock in shrine games, so I know how they run it,” McCarvel said. “They take younger kids and they run a few plays. When they get to JV they run a few more and when they get to varsity they put in the whole package.

“As with any Wing-T team, they do a great job with misdirection. When run well, it’s one of the most difficult offenses to defend. First and foremost you have to stop the fullback trap. The thing they do such a great job of is they have multiple guys that get carries and do things. They don’t really rely on one guy.”

Flathead (1-0) scored two touchdowns the last five seconds of its opener against Great Falls to win 20-7 and McCarvel hopes his team can turn the confidence and momentum gained from that win into a 2-0 start.

After sputtering much of the game, the Flathead offense drove 92 yards to set up the go-ahead touchdown, a sign of what the Braves’ offense is capable of when firing on all cylinders.

“I thought (quarterback) Easton Johnson really stepped up,” McCarvel said.

“I thought our conditioning really paid off and we stayed physically and mentally ready for a drive like that.”

Flathead’s offense will have to contend with a huge Skyview defense today. McCarvel said the Falcons have a pair of defensive tackles that weigh more than 280 pounds, a 260-pound defensive end and a 6-foot-3 middle linebacker.

“They are as big as anybody,” McCarvel said.