Billings Senior’s 27-game win streak is over.
Defending Class A champion Columbia Falls lost a rematch of the 2017 title game.
A former state champion made a statement in 6-Man over the weekend, even in a loss.
Week 2 of the high school football season showed that there are new contenders to the champions’ thrones in Class AA and Class A, while perennial contenders held to form in the other classifications.
- Helena High snapped Billings Senior’s 27-game win streak in dominant fashion. The Bengals’ defense held Senior in check all game, giving up just 14 points and getting an interception return for a touchdown by Hayden Ferguson. Helena’s 41-14 victory should have them in consideration among the early-season favorites.
- Bozeman scored in the final minute to hold off visiting Billings West, 37-33. Both Bozeman and Billings West were seen among the preseason contenders for the Class AA title and look to have proven so early on.
- Hamilton went into Columbia Falls and knocked off Class A’s defending champion. Trailing 24-14 at the half, the Broncs’ defense shut down Columbia Falls, while quarterback Carson Rostad and wide receiver Camron Rothie kept connecting for touchdowns through the air (four). Hamilton’s 35-24 victory on the road solidifies the Broncs among the short list of elite teams in Class A.
- Belgrade improved to 2-0 after narrowly defeating Livingston on the road, 20-13. The Panthers have knocked off two conference foes early on, positioning themselves well for a playoff run later in the season.
- In a bit of a surprising final score, Huntley Project dismantled Manhattan 41-7. The Red Devils narrowly lost in Week 1 to Missoula Loyola and Manhattan was competitive with Bigfork, so the top of Class B could be as crowded as ever this year.
- Townsend’s offense continues to throw points on the board with ease. The Bulldogs put up 45 in a Week 1 shutout victory and followed that with 59 against Three Forks. Led by senior Kameron Rauser, the Townsend offense should have the rest of Class B on notice.
- Choteau improved to 2-0 with another close victory, this a 38-28 win over Chester-Joplin-Inverness. Choteau faces Hays-Lodgepole this week before its biggest test of the year against Great Falls Central in Week 4. The Bulldogs appear to be a contender in a deep 8-Man North division.
- Charlo beat one of its tougher conference opponents, Arlee, 36-16 and Drummond-Philipsburg dominated Troy, 50-6. Two of the best teams in 8-Man football did not overlook early conference opponents ahead of their showdown in Week 3.
- Even with a loss, Hot Springs has let the rest of 6-Man football know it’s back. The Savage Heat traveled to White Sulphur Springs and nearly took down a semifinal team from last season. After scoring a touchdown with just seven seconds to play, Hot Springs missed a two-point kick attempt to force overtime, losing 20-18. Both teams out of the West could meet again deep in the playoffs.
- Geraldine-Highwood bounced back from its Week 1 loss at Wibaux with a 61-12 drubbing of Heart Butte. Although the Rivals have a loss on their record, they should still be considered among the elite in 6-Man football.
