Football: Belgrade tops turnover-prone Braves, 3-2
BELGRADE — The Flathead Braves spent almost the entire fourth quarter in Belgrade territory Friday, but finishing drives remained a problem in a 3-2 non-conference football loss to the Panthers.
Belgrade cashed in an interception on the third play of the game for a 26-yard field goal — and amazingly, it held up. The Panthers (1-1) snapped an 11-game losing streak dating back to a win over Billings Skyview in 2022; Friday marked their first non-league win since moving up to the Class AA ranks in 2019.
The Braves (0-2) certainly had their chances. They had first-and-goal twice in the fourth quarter, but Belgrade came up with interceptions at their 6-yard line and then — on fourth down from the 11 — in their end zone.
In between, Belgrade quarterback Hudsen Rask threw a pass to Ryder Tolley from the Panther end zone, and Tolley was swarmed under for a safety with 7:29 left in the game.
Flathead started at its 45-yard-line after the free kick and Brett Pesola’s scramble and 13-yard pass to Jack Blodgett helped the Braves reach the 10-yard line, where they stalled again.
They got the ball back one more time with 3:21 left, but Pesola was picked off on the next play. Belgrade, getting a key run from Rask, ran out the clock.
The visitors outgained Belgrade 232-93, but five interceptions kept the Panthers in front.
Unofficially, Pesola ran for 70 yards and Nolan Campbell had another 41 on the ground. Flathead starts Western AA conference play next Thursday at Missoula Big Sky.
Flathead 0 0 0 2 - 2
Belgrade 3 0 0 0 - 3
B — Joel Menuez 26 FG, 8:56-1Q
F — Safety, Ryder Tolley tackled in end zone, 7:29-4Q
Individual Statistics
RUSHING: Flathead (37-137) — Brett Pesola 11-70, Nolan Campbell 6-41, Will Hollensteiner 1-4, Eli Coopman 1-4, Ben Bliven 1-minus 2, Team 7-20. Belgrade (21-50) — Hudsen Rask 7-28, Brandt Dejongh 7-15, Jacob Morales 6-13, Team 1-minus 6.
PASSING: Flathead — Pesola 9-19-4 for 95 yards. Belgrade — Rask 9-14-0 for 43 yards.
RECEIVING: Flathead — Coopman 5-39, Hollensteiner 1-34, Jack Blodgett 1-13, Pesola 1-5, Blevin 1-4, Team 1-10. Belgrade — Tolley 4-19, Shugart 2-14, Ehret 1-14, Caleb Seaman 1-1, Justin Spangler 1-minus 3.