Huot, Helena too much for Wolfpack

HELENA — Helena quarterback Kaden Huot ran for 149 yards and three touchdowns and threw for three TDs as well, leading the Bengals over Glacier 48-24 in a Western AA football game Friday.

Huot, a University of Montana signee, got the Bengals on the board with a 71-yard touchdown run on third and short, in the first quarter. He added short scoring runs of 2 and 1 yards in the second half for the Bengals (4-2, 2-2 in league).

“That definitely set the tone early,” Glacier coach Grady Bennett said of Huot’s first burst. “They won the line of scrimmage, big-time. We knew their D-line was arguably the best in the state, but they got after us.”

Huot had scoring passes to Chase McGurran covering 18 yards and to Kade Schlepp for 19 and 6 yards. He had 170 passing yards and Helena outgained Glacier (4-2, 2-2) 425-214.

Jake Rendina, the leading rusher in AA, was held to 39 yards on 18 carries. Quarterback Gage Sliter threw 46 passes, completing 17 for 255 yards. He was intercepted twice but threw two scoring strikes to Jake Turner.

“They completely held Jake in check,” Bennett said. “But I felt like Gage played a really good game. He had the one pick, the ball was just a little bit short; the other was tipped in the air.”

Turner had five catches for 79 yards, with TDs covering 20 and 52 yards, and also had an 11-yard scoring run.

“And Jake Turner, I’m telling you: That little guy fought, and it was just unbelievable effort, in all three phases, offense, defense and special teams,” Bennett said. “His effort was just special.”

Turner’s end-around for a TD came after Huot threw an interception; it cut the Bengals lead to 35-21. Then McGurran returned the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown.

“I felt like we clawed back in and if we can kick it deep, get a stop, we’re back in it,” Bennett said. “And he takes it to the house.

“The thing about the game was, obviously they set the tone, but we felt like we were always right on the cusp of getting back into the game. Then every time we’d shoot ourselves in the foot or Helena would make a big play.”

Helena had a pair of defensive stands that were key: The Bengals held on fourth-and-1 when Glacier went for it early from its own 35, and again at the goal line late in the game.

Glacier 7 7 7 3 - 24

Helena 21 7 14 6 - 48

H — Kaden Huot 71 run (Porter Coil kick)

G — Jake Turner 20 pass from Gage Sliter (Patrick Rohrbach kick)

H — Chase McGurran 18 pass from Huot (Coil kick)

H — Kade Schlepp 19 pass from Huot (Coil kick)

H — Schlepp 6 pass from Huot (Coil kick)

G — Turner 52 pass from Sliter (Rohrbach kick)

H — Huot 2 run (Coil kick)

G — Turner 11 run (Rohrbach kick)

H — McGurran 90 kickoff return (Coil kick)

H — Huot 1 run (kick failed)

G — Rohrbach FG