It's going to be a battle.

The Class AA state wrestling tournament begins at 10 a.m. Friday at CMR High School in Great Falls.

The way things have shaped up at the Class AA seeding tournaments, it could be about 6 p.m. Saturday before a team winner emerges - and it could be any one of several Montana teams.

Billings Skyview, Billings Senior, Bozeman, Flathead, Glacier, Great Falls High and Helena all appear to have legitimate shots at the title.

"This year is going to be the most unique in the history of the tournament," said Glacier coach Mark Fischer.

"There isn't a standout team there. There are five or six teams who could each walk away with it," he said.

Skyview is sending more kids (23) than any other school, but Flathead has the most divisional champions (six). Helena qualified 22 with three champions, Glacier is sending 21 wrestlers with four champs, Bozeman 22 and Great Falls High have 18. The Braves are taking 20 athletes.

"It's going to come right down to the end. I think you aren't going to know who won until after all the finals are done," Fischer added.

"It's going to be fun. I'm sure all the fans that make it over are going to have a great show," agreed Flathead coach Matt Owen.

"I'm really excited. I've been antsy all week. I feel like last week we really set ourselves up well. We had a great week of practice and are looking for a great weekend," he said.

"It seems like we are doing the right things right now. (The Flathead wrestlers) are really excited. I can tell by the way they've been practicing that they're ready to go.

"I like to think we have a great shot at it," Owen said.

"I think every round is going to be huge. It's going to be a great atmosphere," Owen said.

"I think it's going to come down to whoever can punch the most kids into the finals," he said.

The Braves "need to rely on our high scorers," he said.

Those who don't make the top four will have to bounce back quickly to get into the top four, he added.

"Fischer expects 119, 145 and 152 to be among the toughest weight classes.

"All the teams are going to knock each other around a little bit at different weights and push each other. But some of those weight classes are going to be a brawl," he said.

Owen agrees on 119 and 152, but also threw in 135 and 285.

He pointed out that Senior's Tanner Sprenkle is going for his fourth state title - and that Sprenkle and Josh Morin of Great Falls High have battled it out with one or two point matches all season.

Owen is also looking forward to the possible matchup between Flathead's Connor Thomas and Tucker Erickson of Helena High.

"I feel really strongly in my kids. I think they've worked really hard all year long. If it happens to be us (to win), I would say they deserve it.

"I know the kids feel real positive about our chances. They know they've invested so much time, the time to reap the benefit is now."

The first round "looks good. We have some tough draws in there, but I think we're in really good shape. I like where we are in the brackets and the kids are jacked up about it. They all feel real positive about what they earned at divisional," Fischer said.

"I know the kids feel real positive about our chances. We are a lot different team than we were last year, mentally and physically.

"Last year, we sent a lot of kids and it was obvious they weren't ready just yet. But this year, they are confident. They are excited about this weekend and they are putting everything on the line," he said.