The Crosstown football game, set for 7 p.m. tonight at Legends Stadium, pits two teams yearning to get going in the right direction.

Glacier is 5-1, true, but that first loss came just last week at Helena Capital. 

“We got beat soundly by a good football team,” Glacier coach Grady Bennett said of the 35-14 loss. “But I believe in the character of this team, and I’m excited to what our competitive response. 

“We got humbled and we should be excited to get on the field and erase that feeling from last week.” 

Flathead is 0-6. A change at quarterback saw the Braves get an uptick in offensive production last week, though Helena High still prevailed 48-13.  

A change in offensive scheme hasn’t quite paid off yet, Braves coach Caleb Aland noted. 

“Last year we ran option, and this year it didn’t flow with us,” he said. “We’ve simplified things. It’s getting better. Sentinel (a 25-23 loss on Sept. 20) was a great game. We did some good things last week. Figuring out our identity and playing Flathead football is our focus.” 

Glacier’s talent is clear, from junior quarterback Jackson Presley’s 1,319 yards and 13 touchdowns passing to Kobe Dorcheus’ 800 rushing yards to Bridger Smith’s 33 catches for 538 yards. 

Coopman threw for 189 yards for Flathead last week.  

“We’re going to stick with Eli (Coopman) this week,” Flathead coach Caleb Aland said. “I thought he played well, threw the ball well and put up some good numbers.” 

It could have been more: Aland counted seven dropped passes. 

Nolan Campbell is the top Flathead rusher at 208 yards. Seven different receivers have over 100 receiving yards this season, and the most catches belong to Coopman: He had 18 before moving behind center. Kaleb Sims is next with 12 catches and is part of a speedy group. 

“They might have more speed than anybody in the state, with (Noah) Sonju, (will) Hollensteiner and (Ben) Bliven,” Bennett said. “Collectively I don’t know anyone has more.” 

Aland doesn’t disagree. 

“Our biggest problem is getting the ball to the speed and the guys with the speed trusting their speed,” he said. “Getting them in space has been hard for us. I thought we did a better job last week.” 

Beyond that there is the usual tense Crosstown atmosphere, with a spillover crowd at Legends. Playing through the distractions is key. 

“Last week we were not sound with our assignments and we have to get better on Thursday,” Bennett said. “We just have to be prepared to play better and get back to do doing what we were doing.” 

“Until we start doing the little things right, it doesn’t matter who we play,” Aland said. “If we play the game the way we’re capable up, with enthusiasm and a little bit of swagger, we’ll be fine.” 

Glacier quarterback Jackson Presley (12) runs for an 11-yard touchdown in the second quarter against Butte at Legends Stadium on Friday, Sept. 13. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider