Second-ranked Bengals next challenge for Braves

A week after facing the state’s leading rusher, the Flathead Braves now take on the task of facing one of the state’s most prolific offenses.

The No. 2 Helena High Bengals (5-0) visit Legends Stadium tonight at 7, averaging 42.4 points a game while their defense has given up just 8.8 points per contest, including two shutouts of Missoula Hellgate and Great Falls High.

Coming off a 27-14 win over Billings Skyview, the Bengals like to run the ball, but keep a balanced rushing attack with four different ball carriers just under 300 yards on the season. While running back Nick VanHorssen leads the Bengals ground attack with 54 carries and six touchdowns, Helena quarterback Jackson Thennis is the team’s leading rusher. Operating a pistol offense featuring plenty of read-options looks, Thennis has carried 39 times for 293 yards and four touchdowns.

The Bengals haven’t needed to air it out too much, passing for 166 yards a game while Thennis has completed 42 of his 98 attempts for eight touchdowns and five interceptions.

“It’s a little bit different look,” Flathead coach Kyle Samson said.

 “They’ve got a quarterback who can run it and a couple of talented running backs. We’ve got to be very disciplined with our keys and make sure we’re reacting and rallying to the football.”

Although the Braves fell 44-14 to Great Falls C.M. Russell, Josh McCracken managed another 100-yard rushing performance against the No. 3 Rustlers, toting the ball for 114 yards with a 67-yard touchdown run. It was the junior running back’s fourth time over the century mark this season, and for a team who averages 175 yards on the ground per game, McCracken also has two receiving touchdowns. The Braves will look to feature McCracken early and often against a state-leading defense.

“He’s done a great job for us not only in the rushing attack, but catching passes out of the backfield,” Samson said.

“Their defense is very formidable. They have some very good linebackers. Their defensive backs, their lineman are very solid all around. I think that’s why they’re undefeated. We have to go out, execute and start fast. We want to get a couple big plays early.”

Braves quarterback Easton Johnson is coming off his second straight game with over 100 yard through the air, completing six passes for 135 yards against C.M. Russell. The senior’s improvement has balanced Flathead’s offense while the Braves creativity has come into play. Johnson caught a touchdown on a throwback from wide receiver Alex Croymans, proving the Braves aren’t afraid to get tricky against a tough defense.

Whether it’s trick plays, long runs or solid defense, the Braves may need to pull out all the stops to give Helena, an early favorite for the state championship, it’s first loss of the season.