Football: Glacier's challenging start continues with No. 1 Hawks

In a season of tough tests, the No. 3 Glacier football program is staring down its biggest one yet, a road trip to No. 1 Bozeman tonight.

The Hawks (2-0), who fell short of a state title by mere inches a year ago, have been impressive this season. Bozeman has outscored its opponents 82-19, including a 35-0 thrashing of Missoula Sentinel last week in its home opener. 

Bozeman returns most of its team from the squad that led the state title game with a 22 seconds to play last season. Starting quarterback Will Weyer, a Griz football commit, running back Hunter Gappmeyer and tight end/defensive end Will Dissly are all three-year starters and all-state caliber players. 

The trio combined for 414 yards in the Hawks’ 34-21 playoff win against Glacier in last season’s state semifinal. 

“One of our kids said it really well,” Glacier coach Grady Bennett said. 

“They have the same team, but we don’t.

“We feel good about the kind of team we have.”

Glacier will not be fielding the same team that fell short in the playoffs last season. With seven new defensive players and nine new players on offense, the Wolfpack will barely resemble the team that split with the Hawks in 2012. 

That turnover has added a host of speed players and produced a feature back in senior Noah James. The offense has been strong when able to cut loose and push the tempo this season.

“Offensively, we need to get the ball in the hands of our playmakers and not hurt ourselves,” Bennett said. 

“Noah James is running the ball so well right now. We also need to spread the ball around to perimeter. Those guys are making plays.”

Between Dissly, an all-state end, and linebacker Grant Collins, who forced two fumbles last week, the Bozeman defense is one of the toughest in the state. 

Glacier’s goal will be to get the ball to its playmakers in space and attack the Hawks with speed, hoping to wear down a host of players that play on both sides of the ball.

“Trying to muscle at them is a challenge for anybody,” Bennett said.

“We have to make those guys run around and chase us all night. That would be the goal, to run around and keep them off balance, keep the tempo up.”

The only thing that has slowed the Wolfpack down this season is itself, committing 19 penalties for 153 yards in two games. 

“The penalties have been a big emphasis this week,” Bennett said.

“Against better football teams on the road, you can’t put yourself in those situations and expect to be competitive.

“If we don’t make mistakes early and give ourselves a chance in the fourth quarter, anything can happen.”

The game is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. at Van Winkle Stadium in Bozeman. 

NOTE: The game is available online at mtsport.tv.