You don’t know what you have until it’s gone.

That’s the sentiment from Grady Bennett as he prepares to lead the Wolfpack from the sidelines for the first time this season Friday at Legends Stadium against Butte. 

“I told the guys that I am just so thankful to get back out there with you,” Bennett said. “You just miss being a part of the intensity, the emotion. All the stuff that our program is about. It is so special to be a part of. 

“I wanted the players to know, ‘I hope you guys understand how special it is playing high school football.’ “ 

Glacier, which fell to Billings West 6-3 in overtime Week 1, rebounded with a 42-0 victory at Bozeman last week. 

“The response was not in question. I know this team and I knew that they would respond. The how, is kind of mind blowing,” Bennett said. “I did not think anyone could go to Bozeman and put that kind of a whooping on the Bozeman Hawks. You look back in history and that doesn’t happen.” 

Now the Wolfpack welcomes a Butte team that has always been a thorn in their side. 

Glacier got a strong performance from quarterback Cash Keim, who settled in after a tough game against a difficult Billings West defense. 

Keim went 12 for 17 for 197 yards and a touchdown. 

The ground game was efficient for Glacier, picking up 300 yards, including 122 and two scores from Trey Ramey. 

Senior receivers Cooper Pelc and Dylan Banzet combined for six catches and a touchdown. Pelc picked up an MCL sprain during the week, but said he expects to be on the field Friday. 

Butte downed Billings Skyview last Friday and sits 1-1 on the season. 

Raeder Gray is at the helm in the backfield for the Bulldogs for the second straight fall. The senior went 11-of-14 for 109 yards and two touchdowns passing a week ago. 

The aptly named Miner Lee had 28 carries in the backfield and racked up 159 yards and three scores on the ground. 

“It’s just fun competition and that is what it is all about,” Bennett said of battling former assistant and Butte head coach Arie Gray. “Anytime you go against Butte, no matter what the sport is, it’s always great competition. Arie wants to beat us for sure and we like getting after him as well.” 

The Wolfpack and Bulldogs are set to rekindle their rivalry Friday at 6 p.m. 

Braves seek best start in 25 years

The Flathead Braves are 2-0 and have a chance to do something that the Orange and Black hasn’t done since 2001: start a football season with three straight wins. 

Flathead librarian Josh Mouat dug up the Braves archives to find the last time Flathead was 3-0 — MaxPreps history only goes back to the 2004-05 school year. 

“It’s a testament of a whole group effort,” Braves coach Mac Roche said. “I have a great coaching staff helping achieve the standards and I have a group of kids wanting to raise the standard week in and week out.” 

Mouat also found that the 1999 Braves started out 8-0; this year’s squad has a ways to go to reach that point. 

For now the Braves are focused on Friday at Missoula Hellgate and going 1-0 for the week. 

Flathead is coming off its first shutout since 2022 with a 41-0 victory over Billings Senior last Friday. 

Bear Barker has made his presence felt for Flathead in the first two games, throwing for three touchdowns in both of the Braves’ wins. Against Senior, the Whitefish transfer went for 269 yards on 17 of 24 passing. One key to Barker’s success: a deep group of wide receivers. 

“We have so many guys that I don’t have to worry about a receiver being at a specific position,” Roche said. “It’s nice to be able to rotate early and often and that makes it so they can create separation.” 

Nine different players nabbed a reception for the Braves last week. 

Leum Saisbury rolled through the Broncs defense as well, running for 186 yards and two touchdowns. 

Missoula Hellgate brings a polar opposite offense than the Wing-T of Senior. Roche expects the Knights to air the ball out around 70 percent of the time. 

“They have a lot of athletes all over,” Roche said. 

Hellgate sits 0-2 after a 51-6 loss to Billings West last week. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at MCPS Stadium. 

Friday Night Lights

6 p.m.: Glacier vs. Butte, Legends Stadium (Monster1039.com) 

7 p.m.: Flathead at Missoula Hellgate, MCPS Stadium (KGEZ 96.5 FM)

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.