Flathead hoping to snap 4-game slide vs. Hellgate
Despite a four-game losing streak, spirits are high on the Flathead Braves sidelines as they welcome the winless Missoula Hellgate Knights to Legends Stadium tonight at 7.
Looking past Hellgate could be an easy mistake to make. The Knights have been shut out four times this season, failing to score a point in their last three contests. Through seven games, Hellgate’s offense has scored just 33 points, and its defense has allowed 40 or more points in five games this season.
“We talked a lot about our opponent, but we’re just focusing on ourselves and getting better at the little things,” Braves coach Kyle Samson said.
“I think they’re a solid football team. They’re coached well and we’re gonna get their best shot. We’re focusing on correcting the little things after a good week of practice.”
After facing the state’s top offenses and defenses in their past four contests, the Braves are hungry for kick off against the Knights.
Their losing streak was extended to four games at the hands of the Bozeman Hawks. While the Braves did lose 43-21, senior quarterback Easton Johnson went over the 100-yard passing mark for the fourth consecutive week. It was the three interceptions that hampered the Braves chances.
“He’s doing a great job. He’s made a couple mistakes, but some of those turnovers are out of his control,” Samson said.
“He’s trying to get better everyday and he’s learning from those mistakes. If we can limit our mistakes as a whole and take care of the football we’ll be alright.”
The Flathead rushing attack continues to consistently produce. Junior Josh McCracken scored two touchdowns against the Hawks and is approaching 1,000 yards on the season. He currently sits at 695 yards with three games remaining.
“I think it goes hand-in-hand that our offensive line has been doing a great job,” Samson said.
“Josh is humble kid. He’s getting better with vision every week. He has a cast on his hand, but to carry the ball in one hand and get the yardage he does attests to his work ethic and his talent.”
Defensively, the Braves are facing a Hellgate offense averaging 78 rushing yards a contest, while totaling just 151 yards from scrimmage.
With linebacker Jacob Ridgeway and defensive end Aaron Siderius leading the way, it could be a long night for Hellgate.
Cornerback Levi Brenneman continues to have a successful year shutting down wide receivers. Hellgate uses a dual quarterback system and signal callers Brayden Frolich and Dylan Botsford have combined for 12 interceptions this year. Whether it’s Brenneman or seniors Walker Malmin and Jess Beaman, the Flathead defensive secondary is looking forward to potential impact plays.
“Watching (Hellgate) on the field, they have a big kid who can throw the ball and their other quarterback is very athletic,” Samson said.
“Defensively, we need to be getting pressure on the quarterback. We’ve given up some third down conversions so we’ve really been focusing on getting our defense off the field on third down.”
With the season winding down and a muddled middle of the conference standings, a .500 record might just make the playoffs. The Braves will look to take a step in the right direction.