They call this time of year “Football Weather,” and the Flathead Braves will get a dose of chilly temperatures Thursday in Missoula, where they’ll face the Big Sky Eagles.

The forecast calls for 31 degrees and clear skies at kickoff, which is set for 7 p.m. at MCPS Stadium. Flathead is looking for its first win after an 0-6 start, while Big Sky’s lone win came in a Week 1 rout of Missoula Hellgate.

“BIg Sky’s a tough, physical team,” Flathead coach Matt Upham said. “I think we’re both just kind of battling it out at the end of the season. I think it will be a good game tomorrow night.”

It’s one of several important games this week, including Friday’s showdown between Glacier and Missoula Sentinel at Legends Stadium, Eureka’s Western B battle at Bigfork and Libby’s trip to Western A power Frenchtown.

Flathead at Big Sky

This one is big because Big Sky can sew up sixth place in the Western AA – and a playoff berth – with a win. The Braves could forge a three-way tie for sixth as well.

To do that they’ll have to keep ball-hawking – Nolan White, Chase Youso and Alec Thomas all recovered fumbles in the crosstown game last week – while limiting mistakes and slow starts.

“I really liked how the run game got going the second half,” Upham noted.

On Flathead’s first series against Glacier a bad exchange led to a fumble; Glacier executed a 19-yard TD pass on third down to go up 7-0 just five snaps into the game. It was a microcosm of the season.

“There was a high snap and we rushed everything,” Upham said. “We had our chances on third down on that series, too – we have to play a little tougher on third down.”

Thomas continues to lead the offense at running back, along with quarterback Charlie Hinchey. On the other side is Big Sky quarterback Colter Janacaro. Big Sky has a nice receiver in junior Louis Sanders, but Janacaro is key.

“One of the better football players in Montana,” Upham said. “A kid you can line up at any position and I think he’d be All-State; he’s kind of the pulse of their offense and defense.”

Sentinel at Glacier

The Spartans had a load of talent coming back in 2020 before adding transfers Cy Sirmon (Washington state) and Josh Klucewich (Frenchtown).

Maybe some expected snow will slow the 6-0 Spartans, who beat Helena 48-0 last week despite – or maybe because of – playing two quarterbacks in Sirmon and holdover Dayton Bay.

“Bay’s a good player – he was really good last year,” Glacier coach Grady Bennett noted. “I’m sure that was a tough situation. I’m sure the guy coming in, being as good as he is, wanted to be the full-time guy. And he’s so good I’m sure the kids are glad to have him on the team.”

Each complete a high percentage of passes, and combined they have gone a scary 94 of 125 for 1,269 yards, 17 TDs and just one pick. Then Sirmon also averages 10 yards a carry.

The Spartans knocked Helena quarterback Kaden Huot out early in last week’s action.

“I thought Helena actually moved the ball pretty well the first few drives while Huot was in there,” Bennett said. “Once he came out, obviously everything changed.

“And obviously they can do that to everybody, including us.”

Bennett compares the Spartans with his 2014 State AA championship team at Glacier – an explosive offensive team that was occasionally slowed by a ball-control opponent.

The Wolfpack fit that mold this year with running back Jake Rendina, who ran his TD total to 23 last Friday in Glacier’s 35-14 win over Flathead.

“He has the ability to turn a 1-yard gain into 2-3 yards, and a 3-yard gain into 5-7,” Bennett said. “That’s the kind of game we’re going to have to play. We’ve played against a lot of loaded boxes (against the run)... I think it’s possible. We just have to execute as well as possible.”

The Wolfpack defense, though, has its hands full.

“There is almost no way to compensate for it, when the other team has that much speed at that many positions,” Bennett said. “Nobody has been able to yet, and that will be the telling factor I think.”

Elsewhere

Libby’s game at Frenchtown on Friday could clear up the Western A race – if Frenchtown wins. If Libby outruns the run-happy Broncs, the battle for the third-and-fourth playoff spots could involve four, five or six teams. … Speaking of run-happy, Bigfork plays host to defending State B champion Eureka Friday. Bigfork’s Cormac Benn has 1,695 and 23 TDs rushing; Eureka’s Gunnar Smith is at 819 and eight. Lions’ quarterback Caleb Utter has passed for 702 yards and run for 279, and the game will decide the 2-3 playoff spots in the Western B. … Loyola Sacred Heart and Anaconda are making up an early game canceled because of COVID-19 Saturday; the winner will land the Western B’s fourth playoff berth.