Bulldogs get much-needed victory

By Pat Ryan of The Montana Standard - 10/16/2008

Butte High needed some time to get up to speed on the football field this season, but they finally got going Friday night with a very important 12-7 victory over Billings Skyview.

The win wasn't terribly important in terms of the Class AA playoff picture — some crazy things have to happen for the Bulldogs to make the playoffs — but it was very important for Butte High. The Bulldogs definitely needed a win.

The playoffs? Never mind that Butte would have to win out (including a game at undefeated Helena Capital), Missoula Sentinel and Billings Skyview would need to lose out, Senior would have lose out except for a win over Skyview, Bozeman would have to lose out except for Skyview and Glacier would have to lose out except for Sentinel.

The Bulldogs might be better off concentrating on what they can control, and that's a Parents' Night game Friday at Bulldog Memorial against Bozeman (2-5).

Legendary Great Falls Russell coach Jack Johnson earned his 300th win at the helm of the Rustlers (6-1) last weekend in Bozeman. With the 28-14 win against the Hawks, Johnson's record at CMR is 300-89, and his overall head coaching record is 322-96-1.

To give some perspective, Butte's Jon McElroy racked up 118 wins. Swede Dahlberg had 222, and Ennis great Bob Cleverly had 223.

"It feels good to get that one out of the way," Johnson told the Bozeman Chronicle after the game.

Congratulations coach. You earned it.

It seems strange that Billings West would have a losing streak to anyone but possibly Helena Capital, but that was the case with Billings Senior — until last Friday, anyway.

The Golden Bears scored three touchdowns in the first quarter on the way to a 42-7 victory that broke a three-game losing streak to the Broncs. It seems like another collision between the Bears and the Capital Bruins might be brewing in the playoffs.

Capital (7-0) made short work of Missoula Sentinel (3-4) Saturday, running up 420 yards of total offense in a 49-14 thumping of the Spartans. Sixty yards came on the first play from scrimmage when Capital QB Mathew Reyant scored on a draw play. The Bruin defense also showed up, holding the See VICTORY, Page B6 Spartans under 200 total yards and picking off Sentinel QB Steven Rominger three times.

The Helena Bengals (6-1) led Kalispell Glacier (2-5) just 14-13 in the second quarter when Sean Donohue returned a punt 71 yards for a 21-13 Helena lead at the half. Bengal running back Tyler Ishak toted the ball 23 times for 220 yards and two touchdowns in the 35-20 victory.

Missoula Hellgate (0-7) scored five more points than it had all year in Friday's 30-28 loss to Missoula Big Sky (4-3). The Eagles' running game was key in the decision. It was Big Sky's sixth straight win over Hellgate.

Great Falls (4-3) lost another tough game, this time to Flathead (4-3). The Bison opened with a 13-0 lead, but All-State quarterback Brock Osweiler threw four touchdown passes — three to Bryce Stacy — to lead the Braves to a 28-20 win. It was Flathead's fourth straight victory after opening 0-3.

This week's big matchup pits West against Helena in the Capital City at Vigilante Stadium. Both teams carry 6-1 records and both teams suffered their only loss this season to Capital. The Bruins edged West 22-21 in Billings after trailing 21-0, but didn't have as much trouble with Helena, posting a 34-14 decision.

Capital hosts winless Missoula Hellgate on Saturday.

Great Falls looks to get back on track at Missoula Sentinel, while Big Sky plays at Great Falls Russell. Billings Senior takes on crosstown rival Billings Skyview, while Flathead and Glacier clash in the second meeting of the Kalispell rivals.