As the Class AA and B football playoffs move into the quarterfinal phase this weekend — Whitefish is home while Columbia Falls and Bigfork are both on the road.

All three teams play today at 1 p.m.

Whitefish entertains Sidney at Memorial Field, Columbia Falls is off to Havre and Blue Pony Field while Bigfork goes south to Missoula to face Loyola at Rollin Field.

COMPLETE CLASS A BRACKET | COMPLETE CLASS B BRACKET

Sidney at Whitefish

This is right where Whitefish expected to be when it came time for postseason action.

“At the beginning of the year, we always said our goal for the season was to play 12 (games), win the last one,” Whitefish coach Chad Ross said.

“That realization that it’s almost all gone is really coming to fruition. The guys are really focused.

“There’s a lot of excitement around town, but the guys know how to prepare and are just getting ready for the next game,” he continued.

“We’re not really talking about state now, we’re talking about Sidney. They’re a great team.”

The Bulldogs (8-1) repeated as Northwestern A champions and had a first-round bye last weekend.

Sidney (7-3) was a third-place finisher in Eastern A. The Eagles pulled out a 28-20 win at Belgrade last Saturday to advance.

“They run the ball hard downhill,” Ross said of Sidney.

“They’re a lot bigger than us up front and they have a great running game.

“Pound for pound they outweigh us,” he continued.

“It’s whether we can match up our speed with their size.”

Whitefish is loaded with all-state talent.

Senior quarterback Luke May has completed 90 of 127 passes for 1,363 yards and 18 touchdowns.

May has also rushed for 717 yards on 78 carries and 13 touchdowns.

Senior running back Chris Park has 889 yards rushing on 83 carries and 10 touchdowns. He averages 10.7 yards per carry.

The Bulldogs have two talented receivers in seniors Jed Nagler and Brian FauntLeRoy.

Nagler has 29 receptions for 583 yards and seven scores. FauntLeRoy has caught 27 passes for 354 yards and five TDs.

“Our seniors have done a great job of leading by example and effort,” Ross said.

“It helps when you’ve been there before.

“When I started a couple of years ago we hadn’t been to a playoff game in (a while). We hadn’t won one in however long. Three years ago, when we won that first playoff game, a lot of these kids were here. Then last year we made it to the semis.

“They’ve been there before and they know what to expect. They’re working harder and pushing themselves harder than we are as coaches almost.”

Columbia Falls at Havre

Columbia Falls left Friday afternoon and held a 4 p.m. practice in Shelby.

The Wildcats (5-3) are coming off a 9-6 victory over Polson while Havre (7-2) had a first-round bye.

Columbia Falls was the runner-up in Northwestern A; Havre claimed the Central A title.

Both teams have three common foes this season — Browning, Polson and Whitefish. Columbia Falls and Havre both beat Browning and Polson, but fell to Whitefish.

“No,” Jaxon Schweikert said of Havre being similar to any team the Wildcats have faced this season.

“They are probably more like us.

“They like to throw the ball around, have a solid ground game and have an excellent quarterback,” he explained.

He said the Wildcats have watched plenty of film on the Blue Ponies.

“We’re getting better and better every week,” he said.

“Our coverages are getting better, defensively against the run we have gotten better.

“Offensively, we’re running the ball better and better. Every game this year we have improved.”

Columbia Falls dominated last week’s outing with Polson, grinding out 275 yards on the ground. Rain and a slippery field grounded the Wildcats air attack.

Junior quarterback Dakota Bridwell took a helmet to his ankle in the second quarter, but managed to hobble through the game. Schweikert said he will be more mobile for today’s game.

“The steps they have taken from the first of the year to now, it has been fun to watch,” Schweikert said.

“It’s been awesome.”

Schweikert said his veteran coaching staff has played a key role in the player development department.

“They had confidence all along,” Schweikert said of his players before the playoffs and now.

“The season went like we thought it would. We’ve had bumps in the road, games where we put a lot of points on the field due to a lack of experience and gave up silly points. Now we’re not doing that.”

Havre is led by senior quarterback Dane Warp, who is a four-year starter. He has passed for almost 2,000 yards and has 20 TD passes.

Bridwell has passed for more than 1,600 yards and 17 TDs this season.

The last playoff win for Havre was in 2013, a 21-20 decision over Miles City.

Havre lost to Columbia Falls the following week, 46-7, in the quarterfinals.

Bigfork at Missoula Loyola

Bigfork (7-3) advanced with a 37-36 thriller at Roundup as opposed to Loyola, who rolled by Cut Bank 29-0.

Loyola (7-1) was without starting quarterback Kellen Round, who is expected to play today.

“A huge playoff win,” Bigfork coach Todd Emslie said of last week’s effort against a very big and physical Roundup squad.

“I was so proud of our seniors for their leadership, showing the younger players what it takes to put together an extra week of practice, going on the road and getting a W.”

Bigfork starts six seniors — left tackle Austin Pacheco, right tackle Grant Ozegovich, center Russel Goeden, quarterback Jonathan Landon, wide out Adam Jordt and fullback Gabe Broughton.

Landon has passed for 1,203 yards and seven touchdowns, Jordt has 45 receptions for 889 yards and two touchdowns and Broughton has rushed for 82 yards and two touchdowns.

Matthew Farrier leads the Vikings ground game with 180 carries for 1,008 yards and nine touchdowns.

Emslie says it will be critical for Bigfork to play a clean game, no turnovers, while the defense stops Loyola’s run game.

“Special teams will be important, as well as field position,” he said.

“Loyola has a very good line as well,” he said when comparing the Rams with Roundup.

“They are a lot more athletic, more of a complete football team. They are very balanced, don’t make a lot of mistakes.”

Bigfork and Loyola had two common foes on the schedule — Troy and Ronan — and won those matchups.

Postseason Football

Saturday

Class A

Noon — Billings Central at Dillon

1 p.m. — Columbia Falls at Havre

1 p.m. — Butte Central at Miles City

1 p.m. — Sidney at Whitefish

Class B

1 p.m. — Colstrip at Fairfield

1 p.m. — Manhattah/Manhattan Christian at Baker/Plevna

1 p.m. — Huntley Project at Malta/Whitewater/Saco

1 p.m. — Bigfork at Loyola Sacred Heart

Class C

8-Player

1 p.m. — Charlo at Fairview

1 p.m. — Ennis at Chinook

1 p.m. — Wibaux County at Arlee

1 p.m. — Chester/Joplin/Inverness at Twin Bridges

Class C

6-Player

1 p.m. — Lone Peak at Savage

1 p.m. — Hobson/Moore/Judith Gap at Denton/Geyser/Stanford

1 p.m. — Box Elder at Custer/Hysham