KALISPELL – A highly anticipated showdown kicks off in Billings Friday night. Kalispell Flathead takes on Billings West in the Class AA state championship.
The two teams left in the bracket look similar in many ways. They both have punishing running backs — Flathead’s Blake Counts and West’s DeMarcus Carr — huge offensive lines, and big-play receivers in Anthony Jones and Jesse Owens.
Billings West had the upper hand when the two met in Kalispell back in September, jumping to a 21-0 lead on its way to a 42-20 victory. But Flathead already avenged another loss to top-seed Bozeman in the playoffs, so the Braves can’t wait for the rematch.
“We’ve got to make sure we start faster and don’t dig ourselves a hole,” said Braves head coach Kyle Samson. “After we kind of settled down, we did all right after that. We’re excited, and we’re definitely not just satisfied to be here. We want to go out and put ourselves in position to win it.”
“Everyone is excited for a second shot at this team,” said quarterback/defensive back Jaden MacNeil. “We didn’t have a great game against them the first time, but I know we are going to be ready come this game.”
“We’re going to go out there and enjoy the moment,” added safety/receiver Logan Siblerud. “Us seniors, it’s our last game. So we’re going to go out there and leave it all on the field.”
The Braves and Golden Bears kickoff at 7:00 Friday in Billings.
