Flathead Braves (0-5) return home Friday to Legends Stadium where they will welcome the Helena Bengals (1-4) in a conference matchup at 7:00 p.m. 

After a slow offensive start to the season where the Braves scored 16 total points in the first three games, they have found success in the last two games with a total of 33. 

The key for the Braves is cutting down on turnovers and finishing drives. In their week two matchup with Belgrade, the Braves turned the ball over five times. 

The following week against Big Sky they turned the ball over eight times, but they have done a better job in recent weeks. 

“We have beat ourselves a lot so far in the season,” Flathead’s head coach Caleb Aland said. “Outside of last week's matchup with Butte, where they outplayed us on all fronts, we have shot ourselves in the foot more than any team has.” 

While ball security is the biggest concern for the Braves, Aland is wary of a Helena High team he believes has had one of the toughest schedules this season.  

“They’re an athletic group, well-coached and do a good job of mixing up looks on defense that will make it hard on our offense,” Aland said. 

“On the offensive side of the ball, they have a good quarterback (Mac Lundstrom) and have some great athletes at wide receiver, there is a lot we are going to have our hands full with on Friday night.” 

Converting third downs and executing in the red zone are the other areas Aland believes will be key for them getting the Braves’ first win. 

This week in practice, they have focused more on individual drills that focus on ball security and doing the little things. 

“At the end of the day you have to take better care of the ball or you’re not going to win a lot of football games. Coach (Dane) Broadhead does a great job at Helena, and we are excited for another opportunity,” Aland said. 

Glacier battles Helena Capital

Coming off a massive 63-8 win over Missoula Hellgate last week, the Glacier Wolfpack (5-0) will look to remain undefeated as they head to Helena for a key battle with the Capital Bruins (4-1) at 7 p.m.  

“I think this is our toughest matchup so far. Both teams are playing really well right now and I am expecting this to be a good matchup with a great crowd,” Glacier head coach Grady Bennett said. 

The teams are both 3-0 in conference play. This game could have massive playoff seeding implications, especially if Capital leapfrogs Glacier for the number one spot. 

After losing their first game of the season to Gallatin, the Bruins have won four straight, scoring 40-plus in every contest.  

Their high-powered offense is led by quarterback Merek Mihelish, a University of Montana commit who can hurt a defense with his arm or legs. 

“He is the true definition of a dual-threat quarterback,” Bennett said. “Their offense runs through him, and he is one of the best athletes in the state.” 

On defense the Bruins will have their hands full with Wolfpack’s running back Kobe Dorcheus, who is coming off a 185-yard, three touchdown performance.  

While the Wolfpack totaled 297 yards on the ground, Bennett believes in his quarterback Jackson Presley — the junior has committed to Boise State — and the balanced offensive attack.  

“I know coach Mihelish’s first priority is going to be to take our run away,” Bennett said. “The good thing for us, is we are balanced and if the defense tries to take anything away from us, we can do the other.”