New conference look and same old Glacier Wolfpack.

That’s the hope for this year’s Wolfpack flag football team, which has won a state championship all four years the sport has been played at Montana high schools. 

The sport still hasn’t been sanctioned by the MHSA, but that seems to be the logical next step; all 16 Class AA schools are fielding teams this fall, up from nine last year. 

Glacier, which powered past Missoula Hellgate 28-0 in last year’s AA title game, graduated some serious talent but has 77 players split between varsity and JV. 

“Honestly, we’ve got about 28 girls that can play,” coach Mark Kessler said. “It’s pretty crazy.” 

We can start with the obvious ones like juniors Addison Kauffman and Remi Osler at wide receiver. Sophomore Olivia Banzette, a terror on defense last year, will play linebacker and running back; senior Lilyann Pizgoa-Hutcheson us at slot receiver; Lanee Anderson, a senior, will start at center for a third season; and Kessler anointed senior Nika Wangerin the reigning conference defensive player of the year. 

That conference added the Helena schools for 2026; that’s who the Pack begins their season against this weekend. The Bengals and Bruins will have to deal with the more-experienced Kalispell schools, who got in on the ground floor of this thing. 

“I think we’re still in the part of the sport where you’re in the learning curve,” Kessler allowed. “Teaching the game is a big part of the focus, but I can see us doing things this season that we weren’t able to before.” 

One issue: replacing standout quarterback Karley Allen, who graduated. Kessler said senior Rylee Bigelow and sophomore Mikenzie Bauer are the front-runners. Junior Sophia Frederick, who threw some passes last year, is at slot receiver.

He also likes the play of junior strong safety Quinn Plunkett, junior free safety Eisley Young, senior corner Perry Castruita and junior linebacker Norah Cantrell. 

The crew will get a big mid-season test: The Pack have been invited to the MaxPreps Flag Football Showdown in San Diego Sept. 11-12. Several nationally-ranked teams will be there. 

Kessler used to coach at San Ramone Valley High of Danville, California; he had a videographer named Chad Cochran who now coaches the high school’s flag football program, which has won sectional championships. 

When Cochrane’s team was invited to the Showdown, he in turn nominated the Wolfpack; that and a letter from the MHSA on Glacier’s behalf got the ball rolling. 

College recruiters will be on hand for the tournament, during which Glacier could have as many as five games.  

On either side of that (Sept. 5 and Sept. 22) are games against Crosstown rival Flathead. 

The Pack, as good as they have been, likely have a target on their backs. Kessler waves that away. 

“The only pressure we would have is being the best team we can be,” he said. “No battling expectations. Just keep it in the moment and better in every way, every day.”