With most of the playoff scenarios out of its control, all Glacier can do to help its cause tonight against Missoula Big Sky is win.

A win would tie the Wolfpack (7-2) for third place in Class AA and put it in position for a home playoff game at Legends Stadium, where it is 5-0 over the last two postseasons..

Where exactly Glacier lands is also dependent on the other two teams currently tied for third place, Helena Capital and Helena High.

Before those scenarios play out however, Glacier has to beat Big Sky (2-7).

“Our destiny is in our own hands,” Glacier coach Grady Bennett said.“Finishing 8-2 is going to give ourselves the best chance for the best playoff position, the best playoff seed and all that.

“All the goals that they set at the beginning of the year, especially with the way we started, they really want to achieve that goal.”

The Eagles have been a tough out, despite their record. They lost to Missoula Sentinel by four points and Billings West by six, even played Capital to a two touchdown loss last week, scoring more points against the Bruins than any other team this season.

Senior running back Michael Banna has led the offense, averaging nearly 5 yards per carry, while also spending time as a Wildcat quarterback. He ran for 90 yards in two games against the Wolfpack last season. Sophomore quarterback Levi Janacaro excels as a dual threat out in the Eagles run-heavy offense.

“We know he’s the key,” Bennett said. “Like we’ve done all year when we’ve faced really good running teams, we have to try to make them one dimensional. Really try to play the run and stop the run. If they can get it going, it’s going to be a long night for us.

“If we can take that away and make them try to throw it, it plays to our favor.”

Glacier has figured out the offensive issues it had earlier in the season, scoring at least 41 points five times in its last six games. Even with three turnovers in the first quarter of last week’s win over Flathead, the Wolfpack was able to recover and pull away in the second half.

“Last week’s first half was a little sloppy,” Bennett said. “We have some things to clean up, some things to get better at. It makes for a good week of practice. The guys came in real motivated knowing that they have to get better.”

The Wolfpack has purred despite nagging injuries that have popped up as the season has progressed, showing some of the depth that has helped the Wolfpack to a state-best seven straight wins.

“It really speaks to our depth,” Bennett said.

“I’m proud of those guys (that filled in). Some of them have been waiting a long time, and maybe thought that they were never going to get their opportunity. It’s really neat when they hang in there and they wait until they get their opportunity and they take advantage of it.

“When Jaxen Hashley first went down, one of the things we talked about was everybody has to pull their weight a little bit harder when you lose a player like that.

“Now Roger (Guillory) goes down and Taden (Gilman’s) been out. The guy who’s filling in, obviously that guy has to do a great job, but I think everybody has to be a little bit sharper. If everybody does it together then you have a chance. Our guys have done that so far.”

With a win, Glacier would almost assure itself of a game against Helena High in the first round of the playoffs, the location the only thing in question. If Helena is able to beat Billings West tonight, the Bengals would host as a four seed against the fifth-seeded Wolfpack. A West win would likely give Glacier the three seed and a home game against the sixth-seeded Bengals.

A loss tonight would drop Glacier likely to the fifth seed and a road trip to either Helena High or Helena Capital.

“If you want to accomplish your goals, you need to try to get as many home games as you can get,” Bennett said.

“At least, for sure get one home game. That’s No. 1.”

The game is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. at Missoula County Stadium tonight. All Glacier can do to help its cause is win.