Hellgate, which has been away from Missoula for the last two weeks, returns to face one of Class AA's top football teams in a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.
It also happens to be homecoming week for the Knights, who at 0-5 are the only Garden City squad still searching for a win.
The Hellgate-Helena High game will be broadcast live on KGRZ (1450 AM) radio and replayed Saturday evening on KPAX-TV as part of its “Prep Game of the Week” coverage.
Helena at Hellgate, 7:30 p.m.
The Knights are looking to get on track a couple different ways Friday, including on the scoreboard.
Hellgate has been held scoreless in four out of its five games this season. The Knights fell 28-0 to Great Falls CMR a week ago and 49-0 to Billings West two weeks back.
How do they plan on breaking that skein?
“That's a good question,” said Hellgate coach Jeff Dohn. “We're looking for points from anywhere we can get them. It's nothing new. We have to stay within ourselves and play the field position. Hopefully our defense will set us up a little closer; it's tough to go 70, 80 yards.”
The Knights have plenty of work ahead with Helena, which boasts three of Class AA's top eight rushers. Matt Upham (91.6), Tyler Ishak (86.2) and Nick Trapp (80.2) all average just under 100 yards per game.
As good as they are, the Bengals blockers may be even better.
“They are very, very big on the offensive line,” Dohn said. “They are as big as a Frontier school, maybe bigger. That's certainly a concern of ours.”
The Bengals (4-1) average 27.2 points per game. They ran for 419 yards in a 54-27 victory over Butte last week. They're only loss this fall is to No. 1 Helena Capital.
The Hellgate defense has been one of its prouder areas this year, allowing an average of 28 points a game, compared to its offense, which manages four points per game. The Knights didn't allow a second-half score to CMR last week.
“This is a tough opponent for us,” Dohn said. “They're the best in the state in my opinion, but our kids will not roll over. The crowd will be big, it's homecoming. Historically we play them good. Our kids, they deserve a win. They've been working hard.”
Senior running back Chris Lavoie still ranks in the top 10 in the league in rushing, but his production has slowed .
Last year Helena drilled Hellgate 47-7 in Helena.
The Bengals game is the final contest in a difficult span for the Knights. Next week they take on Big Sky in a crosstown game.
Sentinel
at Flathead, 7 p.m.
The Spartans are tasked with slowing down the Braves and their multi-talented senior quarterback Brock Osweiler.
Flathead averages 276 yards through the air, but also 134 on the ground. Osweiler is first in the state in total offense with more than 350 yards each game.
The Braves have bounced back from an 0-3 beginning to win their last two, including a 35-27 victory over Bozeman last week.
Sentinel picked up its third victory of the season last Friday against Billings Senior, the first time since 2000 the school has done that.
The Spartans passing game - which averages just 160 yards - can rival Flathead's especially with senior quarterback Steven Rominger throwing to Ben Roberts.
Sentinel was held under its scoring average last week, but Roberts - one of two players in AA with 30 or more catches - came to the rescue with a game-winning TD.
The Spartans are already getting attention in postseason conversations after reaching the season's midpoint last week.
Flathead escaped with a 21-14 win over Sentinel last season in Missoula.
Big Sky at Butte, 7 p.m.
A win would go a long way in repairing the Eagles' season and their spirits.
Injuries have derailed attempts to stay competitive with Billings Skyview and rival Sentinel in back-to-back losses the past two weeks. Big Sky could use a bye week or something similar.
Enter Butte, a team that is allowing 42.2 points per game, but keeps getting better, said Eagles coach Gary Ekegren.
“They score points, too,” Ekegren said. “They were tied 21-21 at Helena with a minute to go in the first half. ... What they do is spread you out and throw it. They've improved a lot.”
The Bulldogs also have running back Mike Ueland, who's second in Class AA at 101.8 yards per game rushing.
Big Sky's plight with injuries has been news in recent weeks - the team was missing eight starters heading into its most recent game - but that's not stopping Ekegren's gang.
“We're working really hard on the basics, making sure our stances are good, our steps are good, and we're getting our assignments down.”
Last season the Eagles rallied from a 1-4 start to win four of their last five games to make the playoffs. That streak included a 21-0 win over Butte.
“We need to do that again,” Ekegren said. “That's our plan. We need to get off on the right foot. One thing that's been so devastating for us, is our offense has given the ball to our opponents in such ugly territory for us.
“We can't afford to do that to ourselves.”
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