Ishak carried the ball 19 times for 112 yards and a touchdown, but more importantly he was the only Helena back to escape a bad case of fumbleitis, in leading the third-ranked Bengals to a 20-3 win over Missoula Hellgate on Friday.
Helena turned the ball over seven times on a soggy pitch at Missoula County Stadium, but still managed to pick up its second straight Class AA victory.
They added a pair of interceptions and another fumble in the second half to help keep things close.
Ishak, who carried 13 times in the second half, was the only player immune.
“I know I didn't have any drops, but I could feel the ball sliding around in my arms,” he said. “It was definitely wet out there.”
Ishak's 16-yard scoring run came just 32 seconds before the break and was set up by his 17-yard catch two plays earlier.
The Bengals, who have Class AA's top rushing attack, were actually held under their average, though barely. They gained 273 yards running - 7 shy of their average.
The Knights, who wrapped up all but one of Helena's loose balls, had as much to do with it as the playing surface, Hellgate coach Jeff Dohn said.
“That was one of the best defensive efforts we've had this year,” said Dohn, whose squad fell to 0-6. “We hit 'em hard. I really don't know what to say other than our kids played really hard.”
The Bengals offense never could get going in the second half, but the defense held the Knights scoreless down the stretch.
“We kind of overlooked them,” Ishak said, “but they showed up to play. We got it together toward the end of the second quarter, but those turnovers just killed us.”
Hellgate, on the other hand, played a pretty clean game with the exception of a muffed punt return and a blocked field goal try.
The Knights actually broke through on the scoreboard for the first time since the third week of the season.
Sophomore Carsen Hopfauf booted a 38-yard field goal on Hellgate's second drive of the second quarter. The play was set up by Upham's fumble at his own 23-yard line.
The Bengals fumbled on their very next offensive play, but the Knights again couldn't capitalize on it and had to punt it away. They punted four times in the first half, six in all. They turned the ball over twice on downs.
“We had opportunities to get points,” Dohn said. “We just didn't take advantage of those turnovers.”
The weather was just as stifling to Hellgate, which finished with 105 rushing yards.
“It was tough,” said junior quarterback Sam Hall, who had 73 yards passing and no interceptions, “because we came out firing. All we needed was to make some plays and we didn't.”
Senior running back Chris Lavoie led the Knights' attack with 119 yards on 18 totes. He had a 69-yarder on the team's first possession of the second half, getting down to the 22-yard line.
Hellgate next plays crosstown rival Big Sky.
Helena 0 3 0 0 - 3
Hellgate 0 13 0 7 - 20
Second quarter
Hellgate - FG Carsen Hopfauf 38, 7:17
Helena - Matt Upham 40 run (kick blocked), 4:14
Helena - Tyler Ishak 16 run (Chase Kloker kick), :32
Fourth quarter
Helena -Brian Torgerson 24 pass from Upham (Kloker kick), 11:50
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
Rushing - Helena (47-273): Nick Trapp 16-113, Tyler Ishak 19-112, Matt Upham 12-48. Hellgate (32-105): Chris Lavoie 18-119, Spencer Hale 1-3, Shawn Jensen 4-8, Kale Leiby 1-10, Sam Hall 7-(-16), Devin Baker 1-(-19).
Passing - Helena: Upham 4-10-2-86. Hellgate: Hall 7-21-0-73.
Receiving - Helena: Ishak 1-17, Lucas Johnson 1-10, Adam Johnson 1-35, Brian Torgerson 1-24. Hellgate: Dane Kuhn 1-6, Steven DeYoung 1-14, Lavoie 2-12, Jensen 2-22, Travis Peevey 1-19.
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