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Football Rankings, Standings Start Solidifying

By Beacon Staff

After eight weeks of action, the final standings and rankings in high school football are starting to solidify.

With the postseason right around the corner, the latest Associated Press poll has three local teams featured fourth in their respective classes.

Glacier (7-1) has won five-straight and locked up a playoff seed for the third year in a row. The highlight in Class AA this week is sure to be the Wolfpack taking on third-ranked Helena Capital in Helena on Friday. Both teams, which are tied for second along with Billings West in the standings, have two of the best offenses in the state this fall, averaging over 30 points-per-game. Glacier is 0-4 vs. the Bruins.

Flathead (3-5) had its losing skid grow to three games last Friday in a loss to Bozeman. The Braves host C.M. Russell (3-5) at Legends Stadium at 7 p.m. this Friday.

The Class AA playoffs start Nov. 4.

In Class A, the dominating fourth-ranked Polson Pirates continue to cruise. The Pirates already have the Northwestern A crown and a first-round playoff bye locked up with one game left in the regular season against Browning. Polson is allowing only roughly a touchdown a game on defense while averaging more than 43 on offense. Quarterback Vince DiGiallonardo has put together an impressive season, with 16 rushing TDs and six passing.

Whitefish (4-3 overall) has won two straight and wraps up the regular season at home in a huge game against Frenchtown (1-6) this Friday. Both the Bulldogs and the Broncs are 1-2 in NWA and either one will make the playoffs as the third seed with a win. Columbia Falls (2-5) travels to Libby (4-4). The Loggers are 2-1 in NWA and have the second seed locked up. For a playoff bracket, visit here.

In Class B, Bigfork is definitely rolling now. Winners of six straight, the Vikes (6-1) recently dropped Missoula Loyola out of the rankings with a 21-12 victory. The Rams (5-2) were ranked ninth. Bigfork takes on District 7B rival Eureka (5-2) on the road this Friday. With a win, Bigfork would successfully defend the district title and earn a first-round bye in the playoffs. Eureka has a two-game win streak alive.

Like Class A, the playoffs start Oct. 29 in Class B.

Associated Press High School Football Poll
Class AA
1. Helena (11) 8-0
2. Billings West 7-1
3. Helena Capital 7-1
4. Glacier 7-1
5. Billings Senior 5-3
Others receiving votes: Butte 6.
Class A
1. Dillon (11) 7-0
2. Billings Central 7-1
3. Laurel 7-1
4. Polson 7-0
5. Miles City 6-2
Others receiving votes: Stevensville 37, Butte Central 8, Hardin 6.
Class B
1. Fairfield (10) 7-0
2. Malta (1) 7-0
3. Manhattan 6-1
4. Bigfork 6-1
5. Baker 6-1
T6.Plentywood Westby 6-1
T6.Florence 6-1
T8.Columbus 6-1
T8.Red Lodge Belfry 6-1
T8.Ronan 5-2
Others receiving votes: Huntley Project 12, Missoula Loyola 6, Eureka 1, Colstrip 1, Big Timber 1.
Class C 8-Man
1. Chinook (8) 7-0
2. Fairview (2) 8-0
3. Superior 8-0
4. White Sulphur Springs 8-0
5. Drummond 7-1
6. Twin Bridges 6-1
7. Chester-Joplin-Inverness 6-1
8. Wibaux 6-1
9. Power-Dutton-Brady 5-1
10. Absarokee 5-2
Others receiving votes: Lincoln 7, Centerville 3, Ennis 3.
Class C 6-Man
1. Denton (10) 7-0
2. Savage 6-1
3. Alberton 6-0
4. Fromberg Roberts 6-0
5. Stanford Geyser 6-1
6. Big Sandy 6-1
7. Hot Springs 6-1
8. Geraldine Highwood 4-2
9. Richey-Lambert 4-2
10. Lima 1-2
Others receiving votes: Bridger 3, Custer-Melstone 2, Valier 2, Hysham 2, Ekalaka 1