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PHOTOS: Flathead and Missoula Hellgate clash delayed by lightning again

CASEY KREIDER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 7 months, 3 weeks AGO
by CASEY KREIDER
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Casey Kreider is a staff photographer for the Daily Inter Lake. His work documents news, sports, wildlife, landscapes and everyday life across Northwest Montana through visual storytelling. Kreider’s keen eye captures major sporting events, community moments, and the natural beauty that defines the region. He is a graduate of Penn State University and previously worked as a photographer for Lancaster Newspapers in Pennsylvania. In 2024, he received the Montana Newspaper Association’s Mel Ruder Photograph of the Year award. IMPACT: Kreider's work brings readers closer to the people, places and moments that shape life in Northwest Montana through powerful visual journalism. | September 12, 2025 11:00 PM

Photos as the Flathead Braves and Missoula Hellgate Knights faced off in a Class AA high school football matchup that was delayed several times by lightning at Legends Stadium on Friday, Sept. 12.

    Flathead wide receiver Oliver Rosenberg (5) holds on to a reception in the second quarter against Missoula Hellgate at Legends Stadium on Friday, Sept. 12. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 
    Flathead defensive back Leum Saisbury (2) returns an interception in the first quarter against Missoula Hellgate at Legends Stadium on Friday, Sept. 12. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 
    Flathead quarterback Eli Coopman (6) picks up yardage on a run in the first quarter against Missoula Hellgate at Legends Stadium on Friday, Sept. 12. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 
    Flathead tight end Zander McLaughlin (85) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown on a reception in the first quarter against Missoula Hellgate at Legends Stadium on Friday, Sept. 12. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 
    Flathead running back Nolan Campbell (24) heads to the end zone on a 48-yard touchdown run in the first quarter against Missoula Hellgate at Legends Stadium on Friday, Sept. 12. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 
    Flathead quarterback Eli Coopman (6) picks up yardage on a run in the first quarter against Missoula Hellgate at Legends Stadium on Friday, Sept. 12. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 
    Flathead tight end Zander McLaughlin (85) scores a touchdown on a reception in the first quarter against Missoula Hellgate at Legends Stadium on Friday, Sept. 12. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 
    Flathead tight end Zander McLaughlin (85) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown on a reception in the first quarter against Missoula Hellgate at Legends Stadium on Friday, Sept. 12. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 
    Flathead wide receiver Oliver Rosenberg (5) holds on to a reception in the second quarter against Missoula Hellgate at Legends Stadium on Friday, Sept. 12. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 
    Flathead running back Nolan Campbell (24) picks up yardage on a run in the first quarter against Missoula Hellgate at Legends Stadium on Friday, Sept. 12. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 


    Flathead quarterback Eli Coopman (6) picks up yardage on a run in the first quarter against Missoula Hellgate at Legends Stadium on Friday, Sept. 12. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 


    Flathead running back Nolan Campbell (24) heads to the end zone on a 48-yard touchdown run in the first quarter against Missoula Hellgate at Legends Stadium on Friday, Sept. 12. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 


    Flathead defensive back Leum Saisbury (2) returns an interception in the first quarter against Missoula Hellgate at Legends Stadium on Friday, Sept. 12. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 


    Flathead wide receiver Oliver Rosenberg (5) picks up yardage after a reception in the second quarter against Missoula Hellgate at Legends Stadium on Friday, Sept. 12. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 
    Flathead defensive back Leum Saisbury (2) celebrates on the sideline after an interception in the first quarter against Missoula Hellgate at Legends Stadium on Friday, Sept. 12. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 
    Flathead defensive back Leum Saisbury (2) celebrates after an interception in the first quarter against Missoula Hellgate at Legends Stadium on Friday, Sept. 12. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
    Flathead kicker Brett Chivers (14) kicks a 42-yard field goal in the second quarter against Missoula Hellgate at Legends Stadium on Friday, Sept. 12. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 
    Flathead head coach Mac Roche celebrates with tight end Zander McLaughlin (85) after McLaughlin caught a touchdown reception in the first quarter against Missoula Hellgate at Legends Stadium on Friday, Sept. 12. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 


    Flathead head coach Mac Roche celebrates with tight end Zander McLaughlin (85) after McLaughlin caught a touchdown reception in the first quarter against Missoula Hellgate at Legends Stadium on Friday, Sept. 12. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 


    Flathead quarterback Eli Coopman (6) picks up yardage on a run in the first quarter against Missoula Hellgate at Legends Stadium on Friday, Sept. 12. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 
    Flathead wide receiver Deme Holman (8) reaches for a pass attempt and draws a pass interference penalty on Missoula Hellgate defensive back Sam Cohea (6) in the first quarter at Legends Stadium on Friday, Sept. 12. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 
    Flathead defensive back Oliver Rosenberg (5) defends a pass to MIssoula Hellgate tight end Will Petrino (8) in the first quarter at Legends Stadium on Friday, Sept. 12. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 


    Flathead head coach Mac Roche congratulates players coming off the field after an extra point against Missoula Hellgate at Legends Stadium on Friday, Sept. 12. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 


    Flathead High School Assistant Principal and Activities Director Matt Allison checks his phone during a lightning delay in the first quarter of a game against Missoula Hellgate at Legends Stadium on Friday, Sept. 12. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 


    Flathead head coach Mac Roche heads to the locker room during a lightning delay in a game against Missoula Hellgate at Legends Stadium on Friday, Sept. 12. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 
    Missoula Hellgate quarterback Vince Paffhausen (7) drops back to pass against Flathead at Legends Stadium on Friday, Sept. 12. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 
 
 


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