MISSOULA — After years of struggling to find success on the football field the Missoula Hellgate Knights are out to a 2-0 start in 2019. They've taken on teams that finished in the lower half of their conference in 2018, beating Billings Skyview and Missoula Big Sky.
In Week 4, they'll take on a Flathead Braves team that has yet to see a win this season but has played some top-tier talent. They've lost to defending Class AA state champion Billings West, as well as Bozeman and Missoula Sentinel. Although they've been tough teams, the Braves have struggled on offense. Through the first three games they've scored only one touchdown.
Hellgate knows it's a good chance to start 3-0, but the Knights also know they can't take Flathead lightly. Hellgate also doesn't have the easiest schedule down the stretch as it will take on Sentinel, Helena Capital and then Butte to end the year.
"Flathead is definitely better than their record shows. They've gone against some pretty tough teams and I think eventually when it comes down to it, if we put some work in this week, we can definitely win," said senior linebacker Brennan Dumont.
"I think it just builds up our confidence," Dumont added when asked how big a 3-0 start would be for the Knights. "I think it will give us some momentum, get us going. We are definitely not ready for the big teams yet, but we are going to be there soon."
