Glacier hopes to make it three straight semifinal wins over Gallatin, while the Raptors want to play spoiler and get revenge for the past two years.

The Wolfpack and Raptors meet at Legends Stadium Friday at 7 p.m., with the winner earning a spot in the AA state championship game on Nov. 21. 

The Wolfpack took a 46-27 victory in a snowy semifinal in Bozeman last season and a 35-14 win over the Raptors in Kalispell in 2023.  

Glacier coach Grady Bennett expects the Raptors to pull out all the stops. 

“We know we are going to see a very motivated Gallatin team,” Bennett said, adding that a matchup between two teams as hungry as Glacier and Gallatin is why they play the game. 

Bennett has no doubts that his team will be ready when they take the field. 

“We talk so much about process over outcomes,” Bennett said. “I have said the word maturity a lot, and they keep proving that week after week. I can honestly say that we haven’t had one bad practice.” 

To get the win Friday, Glacier needs to shut down the Raptors’ “engine” in Carter Dahlke. 

The senior has amassed 1,335 yards this season, 720 coming on the ground on 80 carries with three touchdowns. He has 615 yards on 40 receptions for another eight TDs. 

“He has been doing it for three years,” Bennett said of Dahlke. “If they can get him the ball 100 times they are going to do it. We have to do a tremendous job of knowing where he is at, then we have to bring him to the ground. He is explosive.” 

Samuel Litzen guides the offense. The senior quarterback has 1,505 yards through the air with 15 touchdowns and five interceptions. 

Bennett praised the Raptors front lines as well in their protection of Litzen and ability to get pressure on the defensive side. 

“Their offensive line is big and physical, and I am really impressed with their D-line,” Bennett said. “They play hard on defense; our offense is going to be challenged.” 

Glacier is led by Class AA’s top rusher in Asher Knopik, who found the end zone three times and ran for 138 yards in the Wolfpack’s quarterfinal win over Bozeman. 

Next to him is Jackson Presley, who found receivers Cooper Pelc and Austin Gragg for deep ball touchdowns last week. Presley has 1,900 yards passing with 25 touchdowns and one interception. He is completing 68.9 percent of his passes. 

Pelc is Presley’s favorite target with 30 receptions for 619 yards and seven touchdowns. Hunter Daniels is second with 29 grabs for 376 yards and five scores. 

With rain in the forecast for Friday, the team who takes care of the ball best could punch their ticket to the championship. Gallatin has a +13-turnover ratio, while Glacier sits at +19. 

The other semifinal sees Missoula Big Sky travel to Billings West; kickoff for that game is also set for 7 p.m. 

Friday Night Playoff Lights

Gallatin at Glacier: 7 p.m., Legends Stadium (KZMN 103.9FM)