The Ronan High School football team began its season opener with a 45-13 season-opening loss at the hands of Butte Central Thursday night at Butte Central Stadium.

The Chiefs were defeated soundly but did have some highlights. The Chiefs, trailing 20-0, scored its first touchdown of the season, driving 50 yards on six plays when QB Eric Dolence connected with Kane McAllister for a 35-yard touchdown pass that allowed them to move down to Butte Central’st wo-yard line.

Dolence than scored on a two-yard run that allowed the Chiefs to go into halftime trailing 20-7. Dolence scored another touchdown on a 44-yard scamper from scrimmage.

Dolence showcased his athleticism and finished with 84 yards on 18 rushing attempts and scoring a pair of rushing touchdowns. He also was 7-of-13 for 65 yards passing in the loss.

Ronan will host Stevensville in their second game of the season at 7 p.m. Friday night at the Chiefs’ Stadium.

Butte Central 45, Ronan 13

Ronan (0-1), Butte Central (1-0)

Ronan 0 7 6 0 – 13

Butte Central 13 6 20 6 – 45

BC – Matt Simkins 54 pass from Cade Holter (David Grannell kick)

BC – Holter 5 run (kick blocked)

BC – Seth Gardner 24 fumble recovery (pass failed)

R – Eric Dolence 2 run (Brant Heiner kick)

BC – Clay Fisher 12 run (kick blocked)

BC – Thomas McGree 58 pass from Holter (Grannell kick)

BC – Guido Ossello 11 pass from McGree (Grannell kick), 3:38.

R – Dolence 44 run (kick blocked)

BC – Luke Jensen 13 run (kick blocked)

RUSH – R 39-(-)7 (Eric Dolence 19-84, Daniel Kelsch 3-9, Daniel Bishop 1-(-)4, Justin Mays 4-(-)9, Jasen Rodda 5-(-)10, Kane McAllister 1-(-)14, RmiscID 6-(-)63), BC 30-219 (Cade Holter 14-135, Clay Fisher 7-64, Thomas McGree 4-14, Luke Jensen 1-13, Egan Lester 1-5, Eyston Lakkala 1-1, Team 2-(-)13). PASS – R (Dolence 7-13-65-0), BC 11-22-200 (Holter 8-18-157-0, McGree 3-4-43-0).

REC – R 7-65 (McAllister 1-35, Matt Victor Jr. 2-12, Kelsch 2-11, Zane Walchuk 2-7), BC 11-200 (Matt Simkins 4-67, McGree 1-58, Guido Ossello 2-34, Braden Harrington 1-23, Jensen 2-21, Trevor Neumann 1-(-)3).

Arlee gets ready for Seeley-Swan

The Arlee High School football team hopes to rebound after a critical conference loss to Charlo 36-16 Friday afternoon against Charlo.

The Warriors will now play Seeley-Swan at 7 p.m. Friday night at Arlee High School.

Official stats for the game were not available at press time.