The Wolfpack come home for the first time in 2025, but the schedule doesn’t get any easier. Meanwhile Flathead heads to Billings Senior looking to complete their first game of the season. 

Glacier takes on Bozeman Friday for the first time since the two teams met at Van Winkle Stadium for the 2023 AA State Championship game, won by the Hawks 35-27. 

“It’s been a while since we have beaten Bozeman, they have been a thorn in our side,” Wolfpack coach Grady Bennett said. “Bozeman has been the season-ender too many times.” 

Five times since 2012 the Hawks put an end to the Wolfpack’s playoff runs, including 2022 and 2023. 

The last time Glacier bested Bozeman was in 2016 when Tadan Gillman threw for four touchdowns and Drew Turner ran for 218 yards in a 49-45 Wolfpack win. Future Bobcat Callahan O’Reilly threw for 522 yards and seven scores for Bozeman in the loss. 

The Wolfpack are coming off a hard-fought 14-10 win at Billings West in Week 1, aided by a goal line stand on the Golden Bears’ final possession. 

“The things that we talked about really showed up,” Bennett said. “It’s great to see and believe things about your team then watch them come true. I just love that they compete. Continue to be relentless was the topic this week.” 

Asher Knopik settled in nicely in the backfield, rushing for two scores and 131 yards. 

The pass defenses stepped up on both sides as Wolfpack senior Jackson Presley was held to 7 of 22 throwing while West’s Colt Johnson was 14-for-27. 

Bozeman took a 46-20 victory over Hellgate in week one, a game that featured a lightning delay of more than an hour. 

Walker Roodell caught five passes for 142 yards and Evan Hughen added 47 yards on three grabs. Roodell grabbed two touchdowns and Hughen nabbed one. 

Both players along with linebacker and tight end Connor Baller were players to watch for the Hawks on both sides of the ball. 

Bennett had high praise for the Bozeman coach Levi Wesche and his players. 

“Bozeman typically has those kind of athletes, just tough and strong two-way players who never leave the field and get it done all the time,” Bennett said. “We have had to work on our assignments on the defense end, they are good at running the read option.” 

Heading it all out of the backfield is Van Shockley, who threw for 246 yards in week one while rushing for 68. He accounted for five touchdowns through the air and on the ground. 

Of note for fans looking to attend at Legends Stadium Friday, kickoff is set for 6 p.m., an hour earlier than the typical start time. Bennett noted this is a trend you may start seeing more of as time passes due to long travel distances in the state. 

Braves on road to Billings 

“I’m just excited to play a full game of football,” said Flathead coach Mac Roche, whose Braves had their opener cut short against Great Falls thanks to a lightning storm that engulfed the Valley.  

“The thing that I felt worst about in that situation is the kids, they deserved a full game,” Roche said. “I was heartbroken that they couldn’t finish what they started.”  

Now, with a fired-up squad, Flathead takes the long trip over to Billings Senior to battle with the Broncs.  

One thing that Roche notes isn’t ideal is the journey on game day.  

“I have to make sure they are locked in,” Roche said. “I am not worried about them at all because they are locked in.”  

Plenty of stretches and walk-throughs along the way will help keep the Braves fresh as they travel. Roche also said his team came out of week one healthy across the board.  

The Braves trailed 21-7 at the half when their opener was called a no-contest, but Roche notes that if you took away a couple of big plays, the game was much more even than the score showed.  

Eli Coopman showed his dual threat abilities in the first half against the Bison, throwing for 64 yards and a touchdown to Tim Zundel while rushing for 66 yards.  

The run game is where Roche thinks his Braves need to be their best against the Broncs.  

Senior defensive end Parker Connolly-Warner, a second-team All-State and first-team all-conference player in 2024, leads Senior’s stout defensive line.  

“They stopped the run really well versus a good offensive running team against Big Sky,” Roche said. “I’m excited to see how our O-line does against them.”  

On offense, running back McLain Oakley heads a rushing attack that gained 133 yards against Missoula Big Sky. Oakley had 58 yards on 10 carries. 

Ryan Fuller stands in the pocket for the Broncs, he finished week one 11-for 19 for 88 yards and ran 11 times for no yards. He was intercepted twice.  

Kickoff at Daylis Stadium is set for 7 p.m.