GREAT FALLS -- Kalispell Glacier took control in the third quarter and then held on in the fourth for a 33-24 win over Great Falls High in the first round of the Class AA state football playoffs Friday at Memorial Stadium.
The Wolfpack, who entered the game as the fifth seed out of the West, trailed 17-13 at halftime, but Braedy Santens scored on a short touchdown run in the third quarter to give them a 20-17 lead. Jake Rendina added his second touchdown of the game early in the fourth quarter to push Glacier to a 27-17 lead, and the Wolfpack would hold off GFH's comeback attempt to advance to the second round of the playoffs.
JT Allen hit Colin Bowden to give Glacier a 6-0 lead, but the Bison, the East's No. 4 seed, quickly answered to build a halftime lead. Andrew Almos hit Levi Torgerson for two touchdowns to give GFH a 14-6 advantage. Following Rendina's first touchdown of the game, Judah McAdam booted a field goal and the Bison would lead 17-13 at the half.
Braedy Santens found the end zone in the third and Rendina scored in the fourth to help Glacier build a 27-17 lead. Ryan Krahe trimmed the lead to 27-24, but Glacier added an insurance touchdown to book its quarterfinal ticket.
Since Class AA re-seeds its teams after the first round, it's not yet known who Glacier will play in next weekend's quarterfinals. Butte had a first-round bye and will be the overall No. 1 seed. Missoula Sentinel, Bozeman, Billings West, Helena Capital and Helena High also won on Friday. Missoula Hellgate plays at Billings Senior at 1 p.m. Saturday.
Friday football scores
Class AA playoffs
Billings West 51, Kalispell Flathead 22
Bozeman 27, Missoula Big Sky 3
Helena Capital 49, Belgrade 10
Helena High 34, Great Falls CMR 7
Kalispell Glacier 33, Great Falls High 24
Missoula Sentinel 45, Billings Skyview 7
Class A playoffs
Billings Central 45, Glendive 13
8-Man playoffs
Thompson Falls 55, Twin Bridges 20
