It’s a state title rematch Friday at Legends Stadium. 

Helena Capital takes on Glacier as the Wolfpack look to avenge a 34-21 decision last November, while Flathead goes on the road to battle with Helena. 

Add into the equation that Friday is homecoming for the Wolfpack and Legends Stadium will be rocking. 

Glacier coach Grady Bennett says make no mistake, the teams on the field Friday are much different than those who battled in 2024. 

“Those two teams were last year’s teams,” Bennett said. “This year is a completely different cast of characters.” 

Bennett praised his team’s performance in a 42-0 win over Butte last Friday but noted that penalties were a troubling area. Butte gained more yards via flags (137) than on offense (129). 

“Some of the things are controllables and some just happen,” Bennett said. “Focus in on the individual drills with technique and that is how you get better.” 

Offensively Glacier — now 3-0 — put up over 500 yards, including 315 through the air from Jackson Presley and 121 yards on eight carries from Asher Knopik. 

The Wolfpack will need all they can get against a very disciplined Helena Capital team. 

“The thing about coach (Kyle) Mihelish and Capital is that they are so well-coached, maybe as good as anyone,” Bennett said. “Helena Capital does not beat themselves. You have to beat them. 

“They are sound on their alignment on defense and their execution on offense. You can’t count on them giving you any freebies.” 

Capital (1-2) features Brit Linder — a Montana State Bobcat commit — at running back, who Bennett calls a legitimate guy in the backfield. Linder ran for 319 yards over the first two games of the season for the Bruins. 

Next to Linder, Capital has a pair of quarterbacks seeing reps this season — Carson Toivonen and Gunnar Fawthrop. Fawthrop threw for 143 yards in the Bruins’ win against Belgrade in week two. 

Out wide, Drew Almquist leads the Bruins with 94 yards receiving. Bennett notes that Almquist is nursing an injury and may not be available for Capital Friday. 

Braves hope for rebound 

This season has been anything but ordinary for the Flathead Braves. 

A major comeback helped the Braves to their first win since 2023 against Billings Senior; both their home games have been affected by lightning, including a no-contest in their opener against Great Falls. 

Flathead (1-1) now heads to Helena (1-2) following a disappointing 24-17 loss to Missoula Hellgate Saturday, in a game that was suspended from Friday due to lightning. 

Braves coach Mac Roche said his team has been paying attention to detail in practice this week. 

“They have had a really good week of practice,” Roche said. “We went through film and corrected mistakes, now it’s time to learn from it. 

“I commend the guys for the attitudes from practice this week.” 

Roche added that he has his team “pay the fee” each time they take the field, bringing focus, effort and energy. 

The Braves take that mindset with them to one of the more unique fields in AA football: Vigilante Stadium. It’s the only grass field at this level. 

On top of that, Helena brings a physical style of football that the Braves will need to match. 

“They play hard, they play physical” Roche said. “So how can we come out and set our temp and play our style of game?” 

The Braves have relied on the run to the tune of 225.5 yards per game in two games this season. Eli Coopman leads the team with 256 yards on the ground, while Nolan Campbell has 189 in 24 carries. 

Campbell picked up an injury against Hellgate and sat out Saturday’s conclusion with his arm in a sling. He will miss tonight’s game; no timetable was given for his return. 

On the Helena side, Peyton Lorenz leads the Bengals offense that scored 24 points against a stout Sentinel defense last week. Lorenz averages 53.7 yards per game on the ground and has found the end zone twice. 

Roche praised Lorenz calling him a hard runner and a fills-in-the-holes linebacker. 

The Silvonen twins also feature prominently for the Bengals. Quarterback Reece Silvonen has 501 yards through the air in three games and five touchdowns.  

Speedster Gracen Silvonen is out wide, leading Helena with 81.7 yards per game receiving and one touchdown. 

Friday Night Lights

Helena Capital at Glacier: 6 p.m., Legends Stadium (KZMN 103.9FM)

Flathead at Helena: 6 p.m., Vigilante Stadium (KGEZ 96.5FM)