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Glacier Caps Perfect Season with Championship

Glacier Wolfpack thrash Great Falls C.M. Russell 56-19 in the Class AA championship

By Dillon Tabish

The state championship trophy is staying in Kalispell.

No doubt about it, that’s where it belongs.

The Glacier Wolfpack rolled over Great Falls C.M. Russell 56-19 in the Class AA championship on Friday night inside Legends Stadium with one of the most dominating victories in a state title game in Montana history.

In front of more than 4,000 fans, the Wolfpack capped their perfect 13-0 season with a near perfect performance, piling up 529 yards of offense and holding the Rustlers’ vaunted rushing attack to only 98 yards.

As the team accepted the trophy at midfield, students flooded around them, fireworks blasting into the sky overhead.

“It’s so unreal,” said senior linebacker Josh Hill. “I never get to play another snap of high school football but I wouldn’t have it any other way – perfect season. And I wouldn’t want to do it with anyone else than this team.”

“I’ve been dreaming about this since I was playing back in the Edgerton Elementary days. This is the dream,” said senior defensive back Cain Boschee, who snatched two interceptions.

Junior running back Thomas Trefney rushed 22 times for 205 yards and four touchdowns.

Senior quarterback Brady McChesney was 19 of 34 for 255 yards and four TDs, finishing his stellar prep career with 82 touchdown passes, which surpassed former Flathead Brave Brock Osweiler, who had 80.

Senior Jacob Janke caught a pair of touchdown passes and senior Logan Jones combined for 70 yards and added another score. Devin Cochran led the team in receiving with 137 yards and added a TD.

With an explosive, versatile attack, this Glacier team cemented its place in history.

In only its eighth season as a program, the Wolfpack won their first title, becoming the second fastest Class AA team to achieve the ultimate prize. Helena Capital won its first trophy in its sixth season.

Glacier became Kalispell’s first state championship team since 1970, when the Flathead Braves finished the regular season with the best record, earning top honors.

Glacier is the first Kalispell team to roll through the playoffs and win the state championship since the 1959 Braves.

The victory became the first championship won at home by a Kalispell team since 1958, when the Flathead Braves defeated Helena 39-13.

The Wolfpack claimed the biggest blowout in the Class AA title game since 1973, when Great Falls also won by 37 points over Missoula Sentinel.

Glacier’s 56 points were also the most ever scored by a Class AA team in the state classic.

“What these kids have just accomplished is amazing,” head coach Grady Bennett said.

“It’s crazy what they did this season.”

CMR 6 13 0 0 — 19

Glacier 7 28 21 0 — 56
First quarter
G — Thomas Trefney 2 run (Brandon Purdy kick), 9:53
CMR — Dallas Farren 1 run (kick miss), :02
Second quarter
G — Trefney 72 run (Purdy kick), 11:49
G — Trefney 6 run (Purdy kick), 7:14
G — Trefney 17 run (Purdy kick), 4:56
CMR — Bryce Cuchine 30 pass from Farren (run failed), 2:59
G — Jacob Janke 15 pass from Brady McChesney (Purdy kick), 2:07
CMR — Cuchine 34 pass from Farren (Dylan Sandefur kick), :43
Third quarter
G — Devin Cochran 55 pass from McChesney (Purdy kick), 6:47
G — Janke 20 pass from McChesney (Purdy kick), 3:39
G — Logan Jones 3 pass from McChesney (Purdy kick), 1:29
————
CMR Glacier
First downs 13 20
Total yards 326 529
Rushes-Yds 40-98 34-259
Passing Yds 228 270
Comp-Att-Int 11-29-2 20-35-0
Punts-Avg 5-35 2-41
Fumbles-Lost 2-1 0-0
Penalties-Yds 4-30 8-40
————
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING — CMR, Andrew Grinde 29-83, Patrick McAllister 2-10, Dallas Farren 5-3, Trevor Pepin 1-2, Karl Tucker II 1-1, Sean Morris 1-1, Bryce Cuchine 1-(-2). Glacier, Thomas Trefney 22-201, Logan Jones 8-41, Brady McChesney 1-8, Tucker Rauthe 1-7, Patrick O’Connell 1-2, Alex Stewart 1-0.
PASSING — CMR, Dallas Farren 11-29-2-228. Glacier, Brady McChesney 19-34-0-255, Sam McCamley 1-1-0-15.
RECEIVING — CMR, Bryce Cuchine 5-137, Zach Harper 2-36, Kam Mims 2-28, Karl Tucker II 1-19, Jacon Bohnmiller 1-8. Glacier, Devin Cochran 5-137, Jacob Janke 6-74, Sam McCamley 4-34, Logan Jones 3-24, Noah Lindsay 1-6, Thomas Trefney 1-(-5).

 Correction (11/23): Brady McChesney has 82 career touchdown passes, not 80 as was previously reported.