It’s crazy how moving across the street can feel so far away.

For the Whitefish Bulldogs that is the case after Friday’s 36-12 playoff win against Dillon. While the team advanced to Friday’s quarterfinals and a trip to East Helena, there was a sense of ending as the players and fans met on the Memorial Field grass one final time after a Bulldogs football game. 

The school is constructing a new field just across the street on the high school campus, where the team will compete for the foreseeable future. As you walk south down Fir Avenue you can look at the history of Whitefish football to your right and see the future awaiting just across Fourth Street. 

Friday allowed everyone one final memory. 

“It’s really kind of weird and surreal. There are so many memories. How often does a does a high school deal with this,” Whitefish coach Brett Bollweg said. “ I’m going to miss the heck out of this place. I wouldn’t trade this place for nothing, and having everyone in their spots and knowing where they will be is really cool.” 

Seventy years Whitefish played at its stomping grounds, one of the more unique locations in Montana high school football. The field spans the outfield of what is the American Legion Glacier Twins home diamond in the summer. 

Adorned at midfield under the bold yellow W that traditionally graces the field were the years 1956-2026 also in yellow. 

Two Class A state championship teams played there — 1979 and 2015 — along with three state runners-up (1980, 1987 and 2001).  

Along with that history, another piece of Memorial Field trivia was etched against the Beavers. 

Quarterback Luke Dalen scampered into the end zone with 4:32 left in the third quarter to extend Whitefish’s lead and mark the final touchdown at the field. 

“I didn’t even realize that, that’s wild, it’s a special feeling,” Dalen said. “ I’m glad we were able to go undefeated at home. I think it’s super cool, I’m super happy to do that. Not only for our guys and our team, but for everyone else and all the old guys lined up on the fence.” 

This year’s Bulldogs may have what it takes to send the field out on top. Whitefish is 9-1 on the season heading into the quarterfinals, its only loss is a 34-31 defeat to rival Columbia Falls in a game that came down to the last moments. Had that result gone the Bulldogs way Memorial Field may have been able to see out a perfect closing season. 

Instead, Friday night the team got walk the field one last time, victorious. 

Reporter Jon Allen can be reached at 406-758-4426 or [email protected]. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at dailyinterlake.com/support.