The second week of high school football season saw some impressive performances from the teams in the Helena area. Here are some of the highlights and takeaways from the games that took place on Friday night.
Capital High dominates Great Falls High
Capital High showed no mercy to Great Falls High, as they cruised to a 49-0 victory at home. The Bruins scored on their first seven possessions, while their defense shut out the Bison for the first time since 2016. Capital High quarterback Noah Braden threw for 237 yards and four touchdowns, while running back Kaden Porter added 118 yards and two scores on the ground. The Bruins improved to 2-0 and extended their winning streak to 11 games.
- Capital High has scored 98 points in two games, while allowing only seven.
- Great Falls High dropped to 0-2 and has been outscored 91-7 this season.
- Capital High will face Billings West next week, while Great Falls High will host Bozeman.
Helena High edges out Missoula Sentinel
In a thrilling matchup between two of the top teams in Class AA, Helena High edged out Missoula Sentinel 28-27 at Washington-Grizzly Stadium. The Bengals scored the go-ahead touchdown with 1:19 left in the game, when quarterback Kaden Huot connected with receiver Chase McGurran for a 25-yard score. The Spartans had a chance to tie the game, but their extra point attempt was blocked by Helena High’s Ethan Rispens.
- Helena High improved to 2-0 and snapped Sentinel’s 12-game winning streak.
- Huot threw for 303 yards and three touchdowns, while McGurran had nine catches for 151 yards and two scores.
- Sentinel quarterback Zac Crews threw for 251 yards and four touchdowns, while receiver TJ Rausch had eight catches for 122 yards and three scores.
Jefferson High rallies past Townsend
Jefferson High overcame a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter to beat Townsend 28-27 on the road. The Panthers scored two touchdowns in the final six minutes, including a one-yard run by quarterback Josh Eckmann with nine seconds left. Eckmann then ran in the two-point conversion to give Jefferson High the lead. Townsend had a chance to win the game, but their field goal attempt was wide right as time expired.
- Jefferson High improved to 2-0 and handed Townsend their first loss of the season.
- Eckmann threw for 173 yards and two touchdowns, and ran for 71 yards and two more scores.
- Townsend quarterback Tyson Racht threw for 212 yards and three touchdowns, while running back Kameron Rauser ran for 121 yards and a score.
Other notable results
- East Helena defeated Anaconda 34-14 for their first win of the season. Quarterback Ty McGurran threw for 224 yards and three touchdowns, while receiver Jace Coyle had six catches for 123 yards and two scores.
- Helena Christian routed Sheridan 54-6 for their second win in a row. Running back Caleb Engle ran for 202 yards and four touchdowns, while quarterback Luke Schlimgen threw for 140 yards and two scores.
- Boulder topped Whitehall 26-20 in overtime. Running back Colter Miller scored the game-winning touchdown on a four-yard run.
