The Braves are set for a homecoming battle.

Flathead welcomes in 4-0 Missoula Big Sky Friday at Legends Stadium, while Glacier takes the short journey to Missoula to face off with Hellgate. 

After a pair of difficult losses where the Braves (1-2) held second half leads, Flathead hosts a Big Sky squad that has allowed just 15 points over four games. 

“They are a heck of a football team,” Braves coach Mac Roche said. “It starts with us, and the kids listening to coaches and executing the game plan.” 

But in a week of celebrations on the south side, Roche is telling his players to enjoy the festivities while also focusing during team activities. 

“I want them to enjoy it but at the same time, if we are in meetings, we are locked in,” Roche said. “If we are practicing, we are locked in.” 

Locked in is how Flathead will need to be on the field Friday; the Eagles defense has yet to allow a touchdown. Butte got its points in a 41-7 loss to Big Sky on a pick-6 last week. 

“Defensively they are a very sound and aggressive football team,” Roche said. “Can we match that and can we execute?” 

Leading the Eagles’ offense is junior quarterback Eli Kasberg, a dual threat that helps Big Sky spread the ball both east and west, north and south. 

Kasberg went 15-for-22 with 235 yards and three touchdowns last week, including a 62-yard touchdown to Augustus Goebel. 

Out wide, Big Sky senior receiver Cormack Batt has found the end zone five times in four games and is averaging 65.5 receiving yards per game. 

The Braves will again rely on their running game, led by quarterback Eli Coopman with 106.7 yards per game. Nolan Campbell averaged 94.5 yards per game in the two games he was healthy while Leum Saisbury tallied 119 yards on 12 carries in the Braves’ last game against Helena. 

Roche invites fans to get to Legends Stadium early Friday to see the Brave Walk at 5:45 p.m. up 3rd Avenue. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. 

Pack look to stay perfect 

Glacier coach Grady Bennett has praised the maturity of his team all season and now that the Wolfpack are past the difficult start to the season, the game changes to staying focused against opponents who may be struggling. 

“We really stressed and talked about playing ourselves each Friday night, it sounds cliche, but it isn’t, truly,” Bennett said. “It’s about making ourselves the opponent and trying to get better against ourselves each week.” 

The opportunity for 4-0 Glacier this week is a 1-3 Hellgate team who has shown solid offensive play but struggled in keeping their opponents off the scoreboard. 

Guiding that offense is a pair of University of Montana commits in Evan Pyron and Parker Link. 

“They have two legitimate D1 football players, they are as good as it gets,” Bennett said. “They can change the game at any point.  

“Like always when you play great players like that I don’t know if there is any way to truly stop them, but to contain them.” 

Pyron, the 6-foot-4 tight end and defensive lineman, hauled in eight catches for 85 yards and a touchdown against Bozeman in the Knight’s opener, but since has shined on the other side of the ball. He totaled eight tackles against Sentinel last week and has 17 on the season. 

Link has hauled in at least five catches in three of Hellgate’s games this season, averaging 65.5 yards with two touchdowns. He also ran for 74 yards and a score against Sentinel last week. 

The Knights’ Sam Cohea also leads the state with five interceptions. 

Leading Glacier will be the dynamic backfield duo of quarterback Jackson Presley and running back Asher Knopik. 

Knopik leads AA with 474 yards on the ground and nine touchdowns for the Wolfpack. He is averaging 10.7 yards per carry. 

Presley has thrown for 787 yards — good for fifth in AA — while completing over 64 percent of his passes. He has tossed seven touchdowns without being intercepted this season. 

Friday Night Lights

Big Sky at Flathead: 7 p.m., Legends Stadium (KGEZ 96.5FM)

Glacier at Hellgate: 7 p.m., MCPS Stadium (KZMN 103.9FM)