The first official Crosstown game of the flag football season is set for Thursday, and it is expected the Glacier Wolfpack and Flathead Bravettes will have Legends Stadium rocking.

The game, which starts at 6 p.m., pits the two teams that battled for the first two state championships in the fledging high school sport. 

Glacier won both, and last year’s, but Flathead remains potent. 

“We’re excited about playing them,” Glacier coach Mark Kessler said. “Their new coach (Jess Hensley) is doing a fantastic job. We’re just looking at the challenge of stopping their vertical passing game, and their quarterback who has been just lighting everybody up.” 

That would be Julia Kay, who threw five touchdown passes in Flathead’s first two official games – wins over Butte High and Missoula Big Sky. 

Makenna Korf, JC Tilleman and Hannah Cantrell have been the main targets, and Gracie Klimer is another threat at running back. But Kay, a tall, strong-armed senior, is key. 

“She is a rock star,” Hensley said. “I’m just excited for the girls to show what they’ve been working on. They’re just getting better and better. They keep meeting the bar and I keep raising it.  

“It’s going to be interesting to see what they’re capable of.” 

The teams faced each other at a preseason Jamboree that Flathead “won.”  

“I do know this,” Kessler said. “They were executing well and doing well on their offense and their defense.” 

Glacier got its season started in earnest on Saturday, beating Missoula Sentinel 21-6 and Missoula Hellgate 14-13. The Wolfpack are keyed by a standout quarterback of there own: Karley Allen, who Monday was 10 of 14 passing for 277 yards and three touchdowns in a 34-0 win at Missoula Big Sky. 

Addison Kauffman, Ziela Wagner and Taylor Lee caught TDs; Wagner also ran for two scores, including a 32-yarder. 

Nika Wangerin and Ella Labrum had interceptions, and Briar McShane and Jillian McGuire had two sacks each. 

In other words the Pack appear to be rounding into shape. 

“Every game has been close and really fun to watch,” said Kessler. “I would expect more of the same.” 

The teams play again next Wednesday.