Nov. 21—Glacier hopes that the third time would be the appeal.
The Wolfpack are again within the AA State Championship recreation for the third consecutive season. This time they are going to face Billings West contained in the pleasant confines of Legends Stadium.
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On the road is Glacier’s second title — the primary coming again in 2014 over CMR within the final state championship recreation to make its method to Kalispell — whereas Billings West appears to be like for championship No. 5 and its first since defeating Flathead 20-14 in 2018.
Glacier coach Grady Bennett urges followers to get to Legends Stadium early for the 7 p.m. kick as he’s anticipating a standing room solely crowd.
“Sort of like 2014, we had an excellent turnout for our quarterfinal and for our semifinal, however that state championship recreation was packed,” Bennett stated. “I do know the gang goes to return out and help us, it’ll be nice.”
Bennett added that it is a uncommon alternative for Kalispell to host the state championship recreation. Earlier than that 2014 recreation, 1980 was the final time that Kalispell — then with simply Flathead Excessive Faculty — hosted and again to the 1950’s prior.
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The Wolfpack enter Friday’s recreation off a shutout efficiency 35-0 over Gallatin within the semifinals. The Golden Bears held off Missoula Massive Sky 20-17 for his or her spot within the chipper.
“It was an ideal week of follow, the climate actually helped out, it was good, within the mid-50’s all week,” Golden Bears coach Rob Stanton stated. “It was enjoyable, the youngsters labored laborious and the youngsters had been targeted.”
Glacier defeated Billings West again in Week 1 14-10 on the street. Regardless of almost a complete season in between that recreation and Friday, Bennett expects the Golden Bears to expire an analogous gameplan enjoying to their strengths.
“They’re fairly assured on what they do on each side of the ball,” Bennett stated. “So sure there shall be gameplan stuff, however I do not anticipate both workforce to alter an excessive amount of.”
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To get the soar on Billings West, the Wolfpack have to decelerate the state’s high recruit in Matt Ludwig. The Michigan commit has 17 touchdowns on the season — 10 receiving and 7 speeding — paired with a workforce excessive 64.1 yards receiving per recreation.
“There’s simply not many children like him,” Bennett stated. “He’s the true definition of a Division I athlete, larger, quicker, stronger than all of his friends and that’s the reason he’s going to Michigan. He’s a game-wrecker, and he’s a gamechanger.”
Glacier counters offensively with, amongst others, Asher Knopik within the backfield. The senior working again leads Class AA with 1,385 yards and has gone over 80 yards in all 11 video games this season.
In fact, the quarterback battle could resolve the sport.
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Billings West’s CJ Johnson has gone for two,199 yards via the air with 22 touchdowns and 11 interceptions as a senior. The Wolfpack, who nabbed 4 picks off Gallatin’s Samuel Litzen final week, have 21 interceptions and are plus-22 in turnover ratio. The Golden Bears sit at plus-3.
Glacier’s Jackson Presley is likely one of the most correct quarterbacks within the state. The Sacramento State commit accomplished 67.4% of his passes in 11 video games and has 2,057 yards. He has 27 touchdowns to only one interception. If Presley throws for 221 yards Friday, he’ll cross the 8,000-yard mark for his Glacier profession.
“Jackson is a heck of a quarterback,” Stanton stated. “If you happen to give him time to throw, he’ll choose you an element and should you stress him, he’ll discover the precise man.”
Billings West held Presley to 7 of twenty-two passing for 88 yards within the first assembly.
The Golden Bears started their journey to Kalispell Thursday, stopping in Butte for follow earlier than persevering with to Missoula. They may end the journey on Friday, stopping in Polson for a walkthrough.
