BOZEMAN -- Everett Fred scored the go-ahead touchdown with 1:09 remaining as Missoula Big Sky shocked Bozeman 21-18 at Van Winkle Stadium on Friday night.
In a game that started slow, only to finish in a frenzy, Big Sky opened with a 3-0 lead after a first-quarter field goal, then added a safety when a Bozeman snap from the punt formation sailed out of the back of the end zone. The Eagles led 5-0 with 10:18 remaining in the first half.
The Hawks settled in later in the quarter when Jake D'Agostino found Brett Clark for a short touchdown on fourth down, giving Bozeman a 6-5 lead into the halftime locker room.
The Eagles added another field goal late in the third quarter to regain the lead at 8-6, then added a touchdown on another Bozeman special teams snafu, scooping up a fumble and returning it for a touchdown on the opening play of the fourth quarter. But Carter Ash brought the Hawks to within 14-12 with a 90-yard punt return touchdown with 8:28 to play, then Asher Croy gave them the lead, 18-14, with a 1-yard plunge at the 2:03 mark.
But there was plenty of time for Fred to play the hero.
With under two minutes to play and needing a touchdown to win, the senior receiver/linebacker hauled in a reception and sprinted past the Bozeman defense 75 yards to put Big Sky in front for good, 21-18, with 1:09 remaining.
Big Sky (1-1) returns to Missoula to face crosstown foe Missoula Hellgate (1-1) next weekend, while Bozeman (1-1) hosts Billings Senior (1-1).
Class AA football scores
(Watch video highlights from Friday's Class AA football games above)
Billings West 48, Kalispell Flathead 7
Butte 52, Great Falls CMR 21
Helena Capital 31, Great Falls High 21
Helena High 19, Belgrade 0
Missoula Big Sky 21, Bozeman 18
Missoula Hellgate 39, Billings Skyview 0
Missoula Sentinel 21, Billings Senior 3
Mount Spokane (Wash.) 38, Kalispell Glacier 35
