School District 6 is hoping for a good crowd for the state championship football game this Saturday. The school actually lost money after the playoff game against Miles City.

Both schools split costs for travel and it cost about $8,000 in travel and expenses to get Miles City to Columbia Falls. But the gate receipts were only $2,400 for the game, which was played on a cold and snowy day, noted Superintendent Steve Bradshaw. The student section at the Miles City game was very thin — maybe a dozen students. The weather for the championship game is supposed to be a little better. There’s a chance for snow or rain with highs in the 30s. But Hamilton is a lot closer than Miles City and the matchup has become a heated rivalry over the past few years, so a good crowd is expected, poor weather or not. The game starts at 1 p.m. Tickets are $7 for adults and $6 for all children and K-12 students.