BUTTE - When Billings West and Butte sqaure off Friday night at Naranche Stadium, a State AA football championship berth will be at stake on one of the most storied fields in Montana.
The Butte stadium is named after Eso Naranche, an all-state player from Butte who died in combat while serving our country in North Africa in 1943. It's has been home to some of the wildest memories in Montana sports and the Bears don't expect anything different against unbeaten Butte.
The last time quarterback Josh Erbacher and lineman Andruw Brester were there was a sophomores.
"I wasn't starting or playing or anything. I just remember it was a crazy experience," recalled Erbacher. "The fans were crazy. The stadium was loud. It was packed. Definitely a cool environment to be in and it's going to be a fun one."
"Haven't played there since sophomore year, and I didn't play as a sophomore. But it's a crazy environment," Brester said. "I'm excited for it. I'm excited for the boos and ready to go."
Kickoff between the Bears and Bulldogs is 7 p.m. Friday night.