Glacier flag football looks to win third straight title

Glacier quarterback Karley Allen (14) runs for a touchdown in the first half against Butte at the Kalispell Jamboree at Legends Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 31. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

Flathead's Kenlie Roth (2) extends the ball across the goaline for a touchdown in the first half against Butte at the Kalispell Jamboree at Legends Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 31. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

Glacier quarterback Karley Allen (14) throws in the second half against Butte at the Kalispell Jamboree at Legends Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 31. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

Flathead quarterback Julia Kay (23) picks up yardage on a run in the second half against Butte at the Kalispell Jamboree at Legends Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 31. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

Glacier's Riley Frederick (6) takes off upfield after a reception in the second half against Butte at the Kalispell Jamboree at Legends Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 31. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

Flathead's Avory Galey (7) picks up yardage after a reception in the first half against Butte at the Kalispell Jamboree at Legends Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 31. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

Glacier's Lanee Anderson (15) scores a touchdown on a reception in the second half against Butte at the Kalispell Jamboree at Legends Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 31. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

Flathead's Julia Kay (23) and Ava Malmin (3) celebrate after a touchdown by Kay against Butte at the Kalispell Jamboree at Legends Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 31. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

Flathead quarterback Kinsey Lake (5) runs for a big gain in the second half against Butte at the Kalispell Jamboree at Legends Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 31. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

Glacier's Avery Riel (49) hangs on to a reception in the second half against Butte at the Kalispell Jamboree at Legends Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 31. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

by JON ALLEN
Staff Writer | September 1, 2024 12:00 AM

Dominance.

That’s one word to describe Glacier and Flathead’s early years in flag football.

The Wolfpack enter season three of the now “emerging sport” — the term the MHSA is using for flag football — as the two-time defending champions.

Their opponent in both title games? Flathead.

Both teams took the field in a friendlier environment Saturday at the Kalispell Jamboree at Legends Stadium.

Butte joined the two squads as the varsity teams each played two games on the abbreviated field.

Glacier defeated the Butte Bulldogs 36-0 in their opener, before falling to Flathead 19-0 in game where senior starting quarterback Karley Allen picked up an injury early.

“We are a little thin at some positions on varsity,” coach Mark Kessler said. “Our quarterback got hurt so that kind of restricted some of the things that we were able to do.”

Allen moved into the quarterback position following the graduation of Kai Johnson in the spring.

Despite the short numbers on Saturday, Kessler is excited for his team headed into year three.

Next to Allen in the backfield is senior Khirsten Terrell, who Kessler said has been fantastic in the early season.

The team also has high hopes for senior Olivia Gibbons who returns from an injury.

As the sport continues to grow in the state, Kessler notes that players are starting to have more base knowledge of the game.

“They’ll understand the concepts of football a little better now,” Kessler said. “In the beginning I think we were having to teach everything and now they have a good foundational base that we can look to improve upon throughout the year.”

Glacier next heads to the Three Forks Jamboree on Saturday.

On the other sideline, the Bravettes are ready to step up to the top of the podium.

After a pair of runner-up finishes to their crosstown rivals, Flathead got a boost with a shutout victory at the Jamboree.

The Bravettes defeated Butte 20-0 in their first game of the day.

“(The Jamboree) it’s just to get your feet wet and get all the nerves out,” coach Lisa Koehler said. “I think we did a good job of settling down, especially in the second half (against Glacier).”

Koehler said that everyone on the Bravettes squad is buying in from the start.

“What I am proud of most is that they are doing their roles,” Koehler said. “Everyone is contributing and that's what we want, it’s a team sport.”

Flathead continues their season on Saturday in East Helena for another jamboree event.

The Bravettes and Wolfpack meet again at Legends Stadium on September 12 at 7 p.m.

Glacier quarterback Karley Allen (14) throws in the second half against Butte at the Kalispell Jamboree at Legends Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 31. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

Glacier's Avery Riel (49) hangs on to a reception in the second half against Butte at the Kalispell Jamboree at Legends Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 31. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider