Jess Hensley was a last-minute hire for the Flathead flag football program last August, but when the dust settled on that season — the Bravettes went 7-5, including one win over Crosstown rival Glacier — it had gone pretty well.

It makes Hensley pumped for Year 2. 

“Team morale is high,” she said this week, ahead of Flathead’s opening games set for Thursday in Mission against the host Bulldogs and Hamilton. “It’s like we picked up where we left off; everybody is excited to be there. 

Flathead, like Glacier, has to replace a talented senior quarterback: Julia Kay.  Hensley is very confident she has a standout. 

“We are so fortunate because now we get Gracie Mae Kilmer back there,” she said. “She was our JV quarterback last year, and she put in a ton of work over the summer, just growing her football IQ because she has a great arm. Super accurate.” 

Helping the transition is 6-foot-1 wide receiver Lexi Herion, who made a splash as a freshman in 2025. Seniors Lily Parris and junior Violet Close are back at receiver as well; Close is also a cornerback. 

Another senior receiver, Teagan Hayek, should play a larger role this season. “She’s just catching everything that is coming her way and made a big impact in our Orange and Black scrimmage,” Hensley said. 

Up front, senior Brooklyn Bowen is back at center. “Great blocker, great football IQ and a leader on the field,” her coach said. “She’s wonderful.” 

The Bravettes have an excellent rivalry with Glacier and pushed the Wolfpack in last year’s State AA semifinals before falling 28-20. They split their regular-season meetings.  

Hensley has 34 girls out and a lot of optimism for this season. There is a large sophomore class that includes QB Addy Aiken. 

“We graduated a ton,” she said. “But I’m really hopefully because we have a really good squad stepping in.”