Big Sky @ Bozeman (Friday)
To open the 2019 Class AA football postseason the Big Sky Eagles will hop on a bus for Bozeman to take on the Hawks. In week two of the regular season the Eagles earned their lone win with a close game over Bozeman 21-18.
Big Sky has been close in the majority of their games this season, but have not been able to finish to claim the win. For Bozeman it has been a season of facing some of the toughest teams in the Eastern conference of Class AA football, proving their metal in each match up. In the first game the Eagles where able to stay in front of the Hawks by taking advantage of scoring opportunities by capitalizing on field position. In tonight’s game Bozeman should come out with a chip on their shoulder in all three phases of the game, while the Eagles will need to rely on their offensive line to allow the run game to develop.
Hellgate @ Senior (Saturday)
In 2019 the Hellgate Knights opened the season up 3-0 for the first time since the 90’s, giving Knights fans a glimmer of new hope. Over the past few seasons the guard has changed in Billings as West has taken Senior spot in the city, forcing the Broncs to prove themselves to the East.
After a strong start to the season the Knights ran into some of the top teams in the West, losing their final five games. Senior finished their regular season at 4-4 with wins over Great Falls, Belgrade, and CMR. Hellgate has the best chance this weekend to create an upset scenario under the leadership of their play caller and a variety of options on the perimeter. Senior has been able to stretch defenses out with their passing game, giving way to a strong run game. This game has a chance to be a shootout, Saturday’s match up will come down to who’s defensive line is able to disrupt the passing game.
Loyola @ Huntley Project (Saturday)
For the second game played on Saturday the Loyola Rams will be on the road to take on the Huntley Project Red Devils. This will be the second time the two teams will play this year as they met in Bozeman to open the season under the lights at MSU Stadium where the Rams came out on top 25-20.
After an injury ridden season Loyola finished the regular season in the third spot in the Class B Western conference. Huntley Project opened the season with a lose to the Rams, but quickly gained momentum to finish in the second spot in the East. In the first match up the teams swapped scores back and forth, but it was Loyola who had the final points to capture a win. Watch out for the Red Devils three headed monster ground game, Loyola will need to set the edge defensively in order to slow down Huntley Project. Offensively look for the Rams to use the short pass game to soften up the Red Devil defensive line.
Skyview @ Sentinel (Friday)
Under the capable hands of their young quarterback the Sentinel Spartans have emerged as a team to prepare for more then most. Skyview has had a tough season of looking up hill against a strong Eastern conference in Class AA football.
Sentinel has a duel threat in their run and passing game that proved to be a threat to the top team in Class AA, the Butte Bulldogs, the Spartans only loss on the season. For the Falcons it has been tough sledding on the offensive side of the ball, only scoring single digit points in the games Skyview did put points on the board. The Falcons are facing one the toughest offenses in Class AA football in the Spartans after allowing teams to score an average of 32 points per game in the regular season. This game could get out of hand early, Skyview will have to play the defensive game of their lives in order to slow down a high octane Sentinel offense.