AA Football Bozeman spills Flathead in battle of ranked teams

BOZEMAN — Top-ranked Bozeman jumped out to a 28-7 halftime lead en route to a 49-34 victory over fourth-ranked Flathead on Friday night in Class AA football play.

Bozeman improved to 6-0 on the season.

Flathead falls to 4-2.

McCade O’Reilly powered the powerful Bozeman offense with five touchdown runs — 2, 3, 34, 4 and 7 yards.

Kris Brown passed for a touchdown, and ran for another to complete the Hawks scoring with 1:43 remaining. That score also iced it for the hosts.

Flathead outscored the Hawks in the second half 27-21 to make for an interesting finish.

“The kids fought back,” Flathead coach Kyle Samson said.

“We were within a touchdown with four minutes to go.

“We started a little slow, didn’t have a great first half,” Samson said.

“We had some goofy things happen in the first quarter. A three-and-out right off the bat (on our first offensive possession) and a bad punt. Then they got up on us.”

Bozeman led 14-0 after the first period.

“We didn’t play very well against the No. 1 team in the state,” Samson said of the first half.

“We have to bounce back. Give credit to Bozeman. They are a good football team.”

Blake Counts had three touchdown runs for Flathead, all from a yard out.

Quarterback Jaden MacNeil scored on a 21- yard run and connected with Anthony Jones for a 29-yard scoring strike.

Flathead’s next game is Friday at home versus Missoula Big Sky.

Bozeman hosts Helena High on Friday.

Flathead 0 7 13 14 — 34

Bozeman 14 14 7 14 — 49

B — McCade O’Reilly 2 run (Everest Klein PAT good)

B — O’Reilly 3 run (Klein PAT good)

F — Blake Counts 1 run (PAT good)

B — O’Reilly 34 run (Klein PAT good)

B — Ryan Lonergan 55 pass from Kris Brown (Klein PAT good)

F — Jaden MacNeil 21 run (PAT missed)

B — O’Reilly 4 run (Klein PAT good)

F — Counts 1 run (PAT good)

F — Anthony Jones 29 pass from MacNeil (PAT good)

B — O’Reilly 7 run (Klein PAT good)

F — Counts 1 run (PAT good)

B — Brown 25 run (PAT Klein good)