Presley, Wolfpack rally past Sentinel

Jackson Presley’s three second-half touchdown passes ended Missoula Sentinel’s win streak over Glacier at six games Thursday.

But a second-half Wolfpack comeback probably wasn’t on anyone’s bingo card; the Spartans built a 17-7 lead at Legends Stadium, and made Glacier work a little extra for the Western AA’s top seed.

Bridger Smith’s 39-yard catch and run on a comeback route got the Pack its first lead, 20-17, with 29 seconds left in the third quarter. When Cohen Kastelitz caught his second TD pass, a 38-yarder with 5:30 remaining in the game, Glacier could breathe.

The Wolfpack has a bye, thanks to an 8-1 record (6-1 in league), into the State AA playoffs. First place in the Western AA was assured when Butte fell to Helena Capital in overtime Thursday, 27-21.

Sentinel fell to 5-4 (4-3 in league) despite picking up four turnovers and otherwise causing headaches on defense and special teams.

“That’s a classic Dane Oliver game,” Glacier coach Grady Bennett said of the Spartans’ coach. “They’re down their quarterback (injured three-year starter Riley Allen) and a couple other key kids, and they just threw everything at us. They packed the box and blitzed all night long, just to create some havoc — and they did.”

The Spartans also intercepted a throwback pass to end Glacier’s first drive and then faked a punt — Danny Sirmon hit Grady Walker for 15 yards — to go ahead 7-0 on a 15-yard touchdown run by Brady Whitman.

Presley tore off a 21-yard scoring run to tie the game up, but then Kobe Dorcheus and Presley both had fumbles in the second quarter. Sentinel cashed the first in for a short field goal and a 10-7 lead.

Coming out of halftime, Kash Goicoechea bobbled a squibbed kickoff and then lost the ball. Sentinel’s Brandon Rondeau recovered at the Wolfpack 17, and the Spartans cashed that in for a 1-yard TD run by Sirmon on fourth-and-goal.

“We talked at halftime about it: We hadn’t played well. Three turnovers. Just relax and find a way, right?” Bennett said. “Good talk. Then we fumble the opening kickoff.

“So our backs are up against the wall, but I’m so proud of our kids for finding a way, because that’s what it’s all about. You’re not going to beat everyone by 50, you’re not always going to be perfect. Sometimes you have to figure it out and grind it out.”

Presley was 16 of 24 passing for 247 yards. Kastelitz had six catches for 102, including a 34-yard score that cut Sentinel’s lead to 17-14.

Then Smith caught his comebacker, shook a tackle and gave Glacier the lead for good.

“Awesome route,” Presley said. “Bridger, he’s a stud. When we play as a team we’re unstoppable. Two of the best wide receivers in the state. It makes the QB’s job so much easier. I’m just blessed to have them on my side.”

Easton Kauffman recovered a fumble for Glacier, and Kaleb Shine had nine tackles, 2.5 for losses. Sirmon recovered a fumble for Sentinel, as did Brady Kolendich.

“You know what, things just happen,” Presley said. “Miscommunication, and they got the field goal, but we came back and got the W. We’ll fix our mistakes and be ready for the playoffs.”

Kobe Dorcheus had 89 yards rushing, but the Pack didn’t find their usual gaps.

“They kind of forced us, basically, to throw the ball,” said Bennett. “Jackson did a great job of making enough key plays — that fourth down play by Bridger, that’s a huge play.

Just overall what a gritty, gritty effort by our kids.”

Sentinel 7 3 7 0 - 17

Glacier 7 0 13 7 - 27

S — Brady Whitman 15 run (Caden Dirberger kick), 6:00-1Q

G — Jackson Presley 21 run (Rhett Measure kick), 1:33-1Q

S — Dirnberger 25 FG, 4:13-2Q

S — Danny Sirmon 1 run (Dirnberger kick), 7:54-3Q

G — Cohen Kastelitz 34 pass from Presley (kick blocked), 6:57-3Q

G — Bridger Smith 39 pass from Presley (Measure kick), :29-3Q

G — Kastelitz 38 pass from Presley (Measure kick), 5:30-4Q

Individual Statistics

RUSHING: Sentinel (35-103) — Hess 21-48, Whitman 8-31, Ryan Haidle 2-13, Grady Walker 1-6, Hunter Sellers 1-3, Sirmon 2-2. Glacier (27-137) — Kobe Dorcheus 15-89, Kash Goicoechea 7-31, Presley 4-13, Kaleb Shine 1-4.

PASSING: Sentinel — Hess 8-13-0 for 37 yards; Sirmon 2-7-0 for 53 yards. Glacier — Presley 16-24-0 for 247 yards; Measure 0-1-1 for 0 yards.

RECEIVING: Sentinel — Walker 8-85, Easton Reimers 2-5. Glacier — Kastelitz 6-102, Smith 4-67, Alex Hausmann 2-7, Cole Johnson 1-25, Barnes 1-18, Van Scholten 1-16, Isaac Keim 1-12.