The three-time state champion Glacier Wolfpack flag football program got a first look at the 2025 version Saturday at Legends Stadium.

After his team played two, 10-minute halves against Hamilton, Flathead and Missoula Hellgate, coach Mark Kessler came away encouraged and philosophical. 

“We did a lot of good things,” he said. “And have a lot to learn. 

“We were making sure to play all the girls and get them all to learn the game a little bit, especially for the younger girls.” 

Glacier has 29 girls on its varsity, and despite Kessler’s assertion that, “We’re pretty young,” there are some familiar faces. 

One is senior Karley Allen, a fourth-year player who is in her second season playing quarterback for the Wolfpack. Another is senior running back/safety Zeila Wagner. 

Riley Galle is back to play slot wide receiver and corner; Jillian McGuire (linebacker) and Maggie Measure (receiver and linebacker) are also part of an experienced senior class. 

Junior Lanee Anderson is a leader up front, playing center.

Kessler is taking his team’s jamboree jitters in stride. “I think the same thing we’ve done is what we’ll try to continue to do,” he said. “Our best football is always ahead of us, and not behind us.” 

He was also encouraged by the numbers each team brought Saturday to Legends: Missoula Hellgate, Missoula Big Sky, Missoula Sentinel Hamilton and Flathead all had around 30 athletes. 

“The Flathead coaches did a fantastic job, taking over so late,” he noted. 

Glacier does have some relative newcomers, one of them a senior: Brynn Hanson, a receiver and corner who was injured last season. 

There are also sophomores Remi Osler (receiver and defensive back) and Olivia Ronngren (running back).  

Bottom line, Allen is a major factor. 

“The either fortunate or unfortunate reality is, how Karley goes is how goes the Wolfpack,” Kessler said. “She’s a great athlete and plans to continue this sport in college. Which is pretty danged exciting.” 

The Wolfpack get their first full (40-minute) games Saturday in Missoula, against Hellgate and Sentinel. There are also two Crosstown games with Flathea on the docket, on Sept. 11 and Sept. 17. 

The Missoula schools added flag football this season. The Pack are old hat at this, and gunning for another trophy.  

“We definitely have less experience, but we’ll definitely compete with everyone we play,” Kessler said.