Prep Football: Glacier to honor 2014 team before Hellgate game, Flathead travels to Butte

This may be the biggest homecoming night in Glacier High’s short history.

The game is not exactly a barnburner on paper as the Wolfpack welcome winless Missoula Hellgate to Legends Stadium Friday at 7 p.m., but prior to kick Glacier will honor the 10th anniversary of the Wolfpack’s first — and so far, only — state championship winning football team. 

Wolfpack coach Grady Bennett encourages fans to be in their seats at least 15 minutes before kickoff for the ceremony. 

Meanwhile in Butte, Flathead looks to capitalize on their strongest showing of the season as they take on the Bulldogs at Naranche Stadium at 6 p.m. 

Hellgate at Glacier 

A week ago in Helena the Wolfpack jumped out to 27-0 lead at the half against Helena High and looked dominant, but a less than stellar second half left a sour taste in the Glacier locker room after the team moved to 4-0. 

“Three captains addressed the team about playing the full game,” Bennett said. “They were motivated to get better; it doesn't matter who is coming up this weekend, it is about getting better and playing a full 48 minutes.” 

Bennett noted that the Bengals’ second half pointed out some things that the Wolfpack have worked on all week at practice. 

“This is leadership, this is a bunch of guys who get it,” Bennett said. “It's about you more than your opponent, we worked on getting better ourselves and fixing some of the things that Helena exposed.” 

The Knights feature what Bennett called the best tight end in the state in Evan Pyron. He has nine catches with one touchdown in the past two games for Hellgate. 

“He is one of the best football players in the state,” Bennett said. “He is big, fast, athletic and can go up and make catches.” 

Finding Pyron downfield is Knights quarterback Vince Paffhausen, who is coming off a 17-for-30 night in a 42-6 loss to Helena Capital a week ago. Bennett also noted receiver/defensive back Parker Link as a do-it-all player for Hellgate. 

Flathead at Butte 

The Braves hit the road after a 25-23 homecoming loss to Sentinel a week ago, still looking for their first win of the season. 

Flathead coach Caleb Aland said that the team is still working on finishing drives and limiting turnovers this week at practice. 

“The message has stayed the same,” Aland said. “The team is starting to see what we have been preaching about how talented we are.” 

To get their first win of the season, the Braves will need to handle an always energetic crowd at Naranche Stadium and play their own game 

“The only team that has really beat us this year is us,” Aland said. “We are tuning in on ourselves and what we can control.” 

Aland notes that the Bulldogs (1-3 overall, 1-1 in Western AA) offense features a pair of key players in Hudson Luedtke and Karson Pumnea. 

“Luedtke is a really talented athlete and basketball player, most of what they do is run through him,” Aland said. “We will need to contain him and force them to use other receivers. 

“(Pumnea) is really good, quick. you got to have five guys to tackle them.” 

Pumnea ran for 117 yards and a touchdown, while Luedtke caught three passes — one going for a score — as Butte picked up their first win a week ago against Big Sky. 

Brett Pesola continues to trigger Flathead’s offense and is second on the team in rushing behind Nolan Campbell, who has averaged 4.9 yards a carry.