The state championship game is coming to Kalispell.
The juggernaut of Class AA, the Glacier Wolfpack, overpowered Missoula Big Sky 42-8 in the football state semifinals inside Legends Stadium on a frosty Friday night, advancing to the title game for the second year in a row.
The Wolfpack are bringing the state classic back to Kalispell for the first time since 1980. Glacier (12-0) will play Great Falls C.M. Russell (10-2) next Friday at 7 p.m.
“I was a seventh grader in 1980, running around out back like little kids do but also leaning on the fence and watching the state championship. It’s special. It doesn’t happen very often. It’s been 34 years since it’s come through Kalispell and I’m just so proud of our coaches and all of these kids, that we’ve been able to bring it back to Kalispell,” Glacier head coach Grady Bennett said. “I remember in 1980, there was 5,000 people, standing room only, and I just hope that people come out next week and watch the state championship football game here in their hometown, because it’s special.”
Glacier is seeking to win its first state title and the first championship for a Kalispell team since 1970, when the Flathead Braves earned the trophy after finishing the regular season with the best record, 9-0-1. The previous Kalispell team to play in a postseason championship game and win was the 1959 Braves, who defeated Butte 39-0 and claimed their second straight title.
The Wolfpack lost to Bozeman 24-14 in last year’s title game.
There was no denying Glacier from returning to the chipper. Not even close.
On a night when the temperatures dropped near single digits, the Wolfpack defense was as stingy as ever, holding Big Sky to 176 yards of total offense, including -3 passing yards. The Eagles managed only nine first downs and were three of 16 on third down conversions. Andrew Harris and Charles Calobeer each had sacks and Caleb Jones and Josh Hill each had interceptions. Hill also recovered a fumble and returned it 32 yards for a TD in the second quarter.
The Eagles didn’t manage to score until the final minutes of the fourth quarter after Glacier pulled its starters.
The Pack offense clicked per usual. Running back Thomas Trefney rushed for 71 yards and three touchdowns and Logan Jones added 29 yards and a TD. Quarterback Brady McChesney completed 16 of 32 passes for 197 yards and one touchdown, connecting with Jacob Janke on a 25-yard score.
“Glacier’s a good team. There’s a reason they’re undefeated,” Big Sky head coach Matt Johnson said.
“They got a lot of good athletes all over the place. They don’t really have any weak spots.”
In next Friday’s state title game, Glacier and Great Falls CMR will square off for the second time this season. The Rustlers gave the Wolfpack their toughest contest this season, falling 49-31.
CMR eliminated Helena 24-13 on Friday night in Helena. The Rustlers last won a state title in 2009, when they beat Helena Capital 28-14.
“Everything we’ve done has just been with that one focus to get back here,” Bennett said.
“One more week of greatness, trying to be a champion every day in everything we do.”