FOOTBALL: Flathead looks to play spoiler in Missoula

On the road with its postseason hopes already dashed, Flathead looks to end its Class AA football season on a high note Friday night at playoff-bound Missoula Sentinel.

The Braves (3-6) have lost two straight games since an encouraging 14-7 win at Butte on Oct. 7, including a humbling 43-7 loss to crosstown rival Glacier last week, but Flathead handled Sentinel 28-14 to close out last regular season and a win tonight would give the Braves a shining positive to hang its hat on entering the offseason.

The game, which will kick off at 7 p.m., is a key one for the Spartans (5-4), who can finish anywhere from fifth to eighth in Class AA depending on tonight’s action. Teams across the state are looking to avoid the eighth seed, which would mean a first round matchup at undefeated Billings Senior.

The Spartans won by forfeit last week with Missoula Hellgate on the schedule and are led by senior quarterback Mitch Roberts, who has 12 total touchdowns this season and is averaging more than 160 yards per game through the air. Last season, the Braves held Roberts to just 126 combined yards.

Flathead beat the Spartans a year ago at a rainy Legends Stadium on the strength of a terrific rushing attack. Now-graduated senior Josh McCracken ran 32 times for 175 yards and two touchdowns.

The Braves have had issues in the running game this year, however, in part due to a series of injuries at the position. Senior Ryan Skramovsky has returned to the field after missing the first half of the season but was held to 43 yards on 13 carries in last week’s loss.

With a win, the Braves would notch back-to-back seasons of at least four victories for the first time since 2007-08.

The game will be broadcast live on 600 AM KGEZ and online at www.kgez.com.