Sophomore Night: Herion leads Bravettes to Crosstown flag football win
LUKE SCHMIT | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 week AGO
Flathead's Lexi Herion (33) intercepts a pass in the end zone in the first half against Glacier at Legends Stadium on Tuesday, Sept. 22. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider
Flathead's Danica Hennell (13) scores a touchdown on a reception in the fourth quarter against Glacier at Legends Stadium on Tuesday, Sept. 22. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider
Glacier quarterback Mikenzie Bauer (10) picks up yardage on a run in the first half against Glacier at Legends Stadium on Tuesday, Sept. 22. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider
Glacier quarterback Rylee Bigelow (18) is tackled by Flathead's Violet Close (24) on a run in the second half at Legends Stadium on Tuesday, Sept. 22. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider
Flathead's Hailee Ballensky (10) picks up some big yardage on a reception in the second half at Legends Stadium on Tuesday, Sept. 22. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider
Flathead's Danica Hennell (13) and Lexi Herion (33) celebrate after Hennell's touchdown reception in the second half against Glacier at Legends Stadium on Tuesday, Sept. 22. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider
Glacier quarterback Mikenzie Bauer (10) reaches for a first down on a run in the first half against Flathead at Legends Stadium on Tuesday, Sept. 22. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider
Glacier's Tesla Liebe-Cohen (34) is tackled by Flathead's Clara Schilling (2) after a reception in the first half at Legends Stadium on Tuesday, Sept. 22. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider
Flathead quarterback Gracie Mae Kilmer (8) drops back to pass in the first half against Glacier at Legends Stadium on Tuesday, Sept. 22. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider
Flathead's Violet Close (24) picks up yardage after a reception in the first quarter against Glacier at Legends Stadium on Tuesday, Sept. 22. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider
Flathead's Teagan Hayek (3) catches a pass in the second half against Glacier at Legends Stadium on Tuesday, Sept. 22. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider
Glacier's Tana Larson (81) is tackled by Flathead's Violet Close (24) after a reception in the first quarter at Legends Stadium on Tuesday, Sept. 22. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider
Flathead's Danica Hennell (13) and Lexi Herion (33) celebrate after Herion's touchdown reception in the first half against Glacier at Legends Stadium on Tuesday, Sept. 22. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider
SPORTS REPORTER, KEEPING SCORE AND BIG SKY NOW PODCAST HOST Luke Schmit leads the charge on our local and regional sports podcast shows. His coverage includes regional and college athletics connected to Montana and the broader Big Sky Conference. Schmit reports on major games, athletes, and sports trends affecting teams across the region. He also contributes interviews, analysis, and multimedia coverage for digital audiences. His reporting helps readers stay connected to the teams and athletes that shape Montana sports. IMPACT: Luke’s work brings readers closer to the teams and athletes that define Montana’s sports culture. | September 23, 2026 6:30 AM
It may have been Senior Night at Legends Stadium, but a sophomore stole the show.
Lexi Herion caught two touchdown passes, intercepted another and added multiple deflections in the secondary Tuesday night as Flathead pulled away from Glacier for a 26-7 girls flag football victory.
Herion finished with 10 catches for 118 yards, helping the Bravettes turn a 7-7 halftime tie into a three-score win.
“Second half, we really locked it in,” Herion said. “Coaches were giving us good pep talks and we took it from there in the third quarter.”
The Bravettes opened the second half with their best drive of the night. Aubrie Lindsay broke free for a big gain before quarterback Gracie Mae Kilmer found Herion for her second touchdown with 6:54 left in the third quarter.
Flathead was ahead for good.
It was the response coach Jess Hensley wanted to see after the Bravettes came off a tough doubleheader in Missoula.
“I told them that they are one person tonight; they can only control what they do, and they did that tonight,” Hensley said. “I was so proud of them.”
The night didn’t start nearly as smoothly.
Glacier quarterback Mikenzie Bauer capped the Wolfpack’s opening drive with a 3-yard touchdown pass to Addison Kauffman on a jet motion. Bauer then found Remi Osler for the conversion to make it 7-0.
Bauer carried much of the load for Glacier, extending plays with her legs and picking up several first downs on scrambles. Osler caught three passes for 19 yards, while Nika Mangerin finished with six tackles and a sack on defense.
After the teams traded punts, Herion gave Flathead its answer in the second quarter. She high pointed a pass downfield and ran the final 10 yards into the end zone to help tie the game at 7.
Minutes later, Bauer took a shot toward the end zone for Glacier, but Herion was there again, coming down with the interception to preserve the tie heading into halftime.
“When she (Herion) grew up, her brothers played football, so she has a high football IQ,” Hensley said. “Obviously tall, but she runs routes so crisp, and she knows how to get open.”
Flathead’s defense was even better after halftime, keeping Glacier off the scoreboard while the offense began to pull away. Flathead finished with 296 total yards, including 258 through the air.
Glacier had a chance to swing momentum early in the fourth when it stopped Flathead on fourth-and-goal, but the Wolfpack couldn’t turn the stop into points.
Flathead eventually broke through again, adding a touchdown pass to Danica Hennell before Kilmer capped the scoring on a designed run out of a tight formation.
For senior Hailee Ballensky, the night was about more than the final score.
“I definitely won’t forget the compassion we have for our team and just how hyped we were,” Ballensky said. “We’re always hype on the sidelines, and I really think that helps guide us to our victory.”
The Bravettes had plenty to be excited about. The band walked the team into Legends Stadium for the first time in program history; the stands filled for Crosstown and Flathead’s seniors got a win.
Hensley said the night showed how far the sport has come.
“Flathead showed out, Glacier showed out, and the big winner is the girls,” Hensley said. “Flag football is new, and so just to have that atmosphere and to play in that atmosphere is just amazing.”
After winning the 2025 Crosstown meeting, the Bravettes made sure the bragging rights stayed on their side of town.
Flathead 0 7 7 12 - 26
Glacier 7 0 0 0 - 7
G — Addison Kauffman 3 pass from Mikenzie Bauer (Remi Osler pass from Bauer)
F — Lexi Herion 21 pass from Gracie Mae Kilmer Hemm (Brooklynn Bowen pass from Kilmer)
F — Herion 8 pass from Kilmer (Violet Close pass from Kilmer)
F — Danica Hennell 15 pass from Kilmer (pass failed)
F — Kilmer 5 run (pass failed)
Reporter Luke Schmit can be reached at 406-758-4441 or [email protected]. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at dailyinterlake.com/support.
EDITOR'S NOTE: This story has been updated to correct scoring plays and the name of Flathead's quarterback.
Flathead's Danica Hennell (13) scores a touchdown on a reception in the fourth quarter against Glacier at Legends Stadium on Tuesday, Sept. 22. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)Casey Kreider
Glacier quarterback Mikenzie Bauer (10) picks up yardage on a run in the first half against Glacier at Legends Stadium on Tuesday, Sept. 22. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)Casey Kreider
Glacier quarterback Rylee Bigelow (18) is tackled by Flathead's Violet Close (24) on a run in the second half at Legends Stadium on Tuesday, Sept. 22. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)Casey Kreider
Flathead's Hailee Ballensky (10) picks up some big yardage on a reception in the second half at Legends Stadium on Tuesday, Sept. 22. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)Casey Kreider
Flathead's Danica Hennell (13) and Lexi Herion (33) celebrate after Hennell's touchdown reception in the second half against Glacier at Legends Stadium on Tuesday, Sept. 22. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)Casey Kreider
Glacier quarterback Mikenzie Bauer (10) reaches for a first down on a run in the first half against Flathead at Legends Stadium on Tuesday, Sept. 22. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)Casey Kreider
Glacier's Tesla Liebe-Cohen (34) is tackled by Flathead's Clara Schilling (2) after a reception in the first half at Legends Stadium on Tuesday, Sept. 22. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)Casey Kreider
Flathead quarterback Gracie Mae Kilmer (8) drops back to pass in the first half against Glacier at Legends Stadium on Tuesday, Sept. 22. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)Casey Kreider
Flathead's Violet Close (24) picks up yardage after a reception in the first quarter against Glacier at Legends Stadium on Tuesday, Sept. 22. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)Casey Kreider
Flathead's Teagan Hayek (3) catches a pass in the second half against Glacier at Legends Stadium on Tuesday, Sept. 22. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)Casey Kreider
Glacier's Tana Larson (81) is tackled by Flathead's Violet Close (24) after a reception in the first quarter at Legends Stadium on Tuesday, Sept. 22. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)Casey Kreider
Flathead's Danica Hennell (13) and Lexi Herion (33) celebrate after Herion's touchdown reception in the first half against Glacier at Legends Stadium on Tuesday, Sept. 22. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)Casey Kreider
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