Condon
Condon, MT · Sports
Whitefish Pilot
Bulldogs steamroll railroad rivals in season opener
Whitefish used explosive special teams play to pull away for a 50-20 victory over the Havre Blue Ponies on Friday. Head Coach Brett Bollweg attributed the victory to a clean, well-played game – an impressive feat for the first game of the season, and an improvement from last year's opener. "We didn't make silly mistakes that often happen in week one games," Bollweg said. "Offensively, we were where we needed to be." Bollweg said coaches Ryan Boyle and Chad Ross had a clear picture of what they wanted to accomplish, and the athletes were ready to install the work put in the offseason and fall camp. Veteran players snapped into place and younger players proved eager. "Brody Forthofer had himself a fun night," Bollweg said. "He returned a couple of kicks and had a great catch for a touchdown. As a sophomore, it was exciting. He's a guy who's worked really hard to put himself in the position that he is in. "The great part is, we were able to get all our young guys on the field, let them play and experience what a high school varsity game is like – that's valuable for us." Havre earned an early
Bigfork Eagle
Frenchtown rolls past Bigfork in football opener
BIGFORK — The Vikings opened their season with a tough test from Frenchtown right out of the gate on Friday night. Bigfork (0-1) fell 38-0 to the defending state champion Broncs in a Class A non-conference matchup. “We knew we were a young team going into tonight,” Bigfork coach Hunter Johnson said. “They are the champs, but we'll go into the film, we'll get better.” On the fourth play from scrimmage, Bigfork fumbled and Frenchtown took advantage with a 2-yard touchdown run from Jake Forthofer to take the lead 7-0. The Vikings responded with their best drive of the first half. Senior quarterback Alex Ochs connected with sophomore Cooper Porrovecchio for a 40-yard gain to move into the Broncs territory. But the Vikings couldn't finish it off, turning the ball over on downs four plays later. The Broncs responded with another long drive. On fourth-and-3 just past midfield, Cody Forthofer connected with Cooper Michaud for 33 yards before finding him again two plays later for a 3-yard touchdown and a 14-0 lead. Frenchtown stretched the lead to 24-0 by halftime behind Brett Kleinsmith's 42-yard field goal and a 1-yard touchdown run from Cole Pfahler. The Broncs then opened the second
Hungry Horse News
Clark named regional coach of the year
Columbia Falls girls soccer coach Thomas Clark was recently named the Fall Small Schools Northwest Region Coach of the year by the United Soccer Coaches Association. Clark won the state award last fall as he guided the Wildcats to a state championship, which put him in the running for the regional award, which includes states across the Pacific Northwest. Clark said he isn’t exactly sure when he won the award. He checked his mailbox at the high school recently and the plaque was inside. It likely sat there awhile without him knowing about it as the school transitioned from one activities director to another, as Troy Bowman retired and Madi Barth took over. Delay aside, the modest Clark, in his eighth year of coaching, said it was nice to have the recognition, but it was truly a team award, not just him. “Super excited,” he said. “It’s a team award. We had a record-breaking offense.” The Wildcats under Clark’s tutelage blanked Bigfork 4-0 to win its first state A championship in 21 years. The Cats finished the year undefeated, 13-0-2. They tied Bigfork and Whitefish in the regular season. According to the Montana High School Association, the Cats’ 84 goals
Whitefish Pilot
Whitefish golf sweeps in Frenchtown
It didn't take long into the 2026 season for Bulldog golf to earn team sweeps. Whitefish came away on top at the Frenchtown Invitational Thursday against 11 Class A schools. The Whitefish boys cruised to a team title with 293. Dillon took second at 329 and Stevensville third at 337. Leading the boys' performance was senior Mason O’Neil who shot 68, four under par, to take gold. Second place was a four-way tie, including Whitefish's Nick and Zack Schmid-Sommer, a junior and freshman, respectively. The siblings tied with Oliver Rowe of Ronan and Johnson Fox of Polson, shooting 74. Sixth place went to Whitefish junior Jessup Hutcheson who shot 77. Senior Ashton Taylor, who tied for 13th. On the girls side, Whitefish earned first at 349. Frenchtown was second with 434 and Dillon third at 451. Cameron Burnett of Hamilton was the first individual with 75. Karlee Brown led the Bulldogs, shooting 81 for second. Senior Rhylee Scott, tied with Dillon's Skyler LaPierre for third with 84. Whitefish freshman Jillian Wagner ensured three Dawgs were in the top five, shooting 85 for fifth. Caroline Owns was 10th with 99 and Baylee Hyland, 11th, shooting 101. The Whitefish Western A Invite
Valley Press - Mineral Independent
Hawk soccer falls to Breakers, ties with Pirates
The Thompson Falls-Plains-St. Regis Blue Hawk girls opened season soccer plays with a couple great efforts on the pitch, playing well but falling 4-0 to Loyola Friday, and battling Polson to a 1-1 draw on their own field Saturday. Both matches were played in Polson. Jade Durham scored the Hawk goal against Polson off an assist from Elsie Myers. Coach Nick Lawyer and 0-1-1 Hawks next play at Libby Sept. 8. “It was a demanding two-game weekend in Polson,” Lawyer said. “For a young Hawks team, the weekend offered an immediate test. It also offered an early glimpse of what this team may become.” Lawyer said Loyola, led by Emmy Laird, a hot college prospect in basketball, is a difficult team to defend. Laird scored the game’s first goal on a howitzer of a shot from near the top of the penalty area. “She’s a sniper,” Lawyer said after reviewing the match. “She had a direct contribution to three of their four goals. She’s knocking in balls from distance, and she was incredibly difficult for us to deal with.” Senior goalkeeper Ava Lawyer made several saves in the first half before aggravating an ankle injury. Freshman Geneva Schmidt stepped into
Hungry Horse News
Volleyball does well at NW-SW Tip Off Tournament
Columbia Falls Volleyball made a significant impact at the Western A Tip-Off Tournament in Dillon this past weekend, marking the beginning of their season with non-conference action. “Overall, our weekend was great. We only lost three of the 14 sets we played, but because of point differential, we ended up in fourth in our conference. Just a couple of points separated second place from fourth. We also won our final matchup against Corvallis in two sets,” said head coach Jolandie Brooks. The Wildkats had an eventful weekend, facing seven different teams over two days. Their first match was against Butte Central on Friday morning. The Kats easily won the sets with scores of 25-6 and 25-9. However, the competition got tougher against Dillon, where they managed to split the sets 21-25 to 25-20. Hamilton and Frenchtown were also strong opponents. Columbia Falls split the sets with Hamilton 25-23 and 22-25, and with Frenchtown 25-24 and 20-25. The Kats also achieved easy sweeps of Corvallis and Stevensville. Corvallis was defeated 25-16 and 25-11, and Stevensville won 25-17 and 25-11. In the last match of the weekend, they once again beat Corvallis handily, 25-16 and 25-19. “We used Tip-Off as an opportunity
Great Falls Tribune
Takeaways: Flathead much improved; Great Falls High offense explosive
The Great Falls High football team fell late in the season-opener on Friday, Aug. 28, as Kalispell Flathead scored with 20 seconds left to take the nonconference game 34-31 at Memorial Stadium. The Bison (0-1) displayed their share of offensive prowess in the contest but were outgunned on the night by the Braves while also dealing with significant injuries. Great Falls High hits the road to close out its nonconference schedule at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 4, at Missoula Big Sky. C.M. Russell High (0-1) has its 2026 home debut at the same time against Missoula Sentinel at Memorial Stadium. Here’s the takeaways from the opening game of the season for the Bison. More: Bear Barker clutch as Flathead football upends Great Falls High on late score More: Helena Capital holds off C.M. Russell football in season-opener Flathead looking much improved in 2026 The Braves have been in the lower tier of Class AA programs in recent years, but they no longer resemble a team that will be a cakewalk for anyone in head coach Mac Roche’s second season. Quarterback Bear Barker was phenomenal, throwing for 310 yards and three touchdowns and continually kept drives alive for the Braves
swxlocalsports.com
Flathead stuns Great Falls with late score in 34-31 victory
GREAT FALLS — Flathead and Great Falls went back and forth on Friday night, but the Braves produced the silencer at Memorial Stadium with 20 seconds remaining to win it 34-31. Braves senior quarterback Bear Barker delivered a perfect pass to junior tailback Leum Saisbury to give Flathead the victory. It was a fourth quarter packed with three lead changes after the teams were tied 21-21 at the half.
hilinetoday.com
Blue Pony Football Opens Season Tonight Against Whitefish
Havre, MT – The Havre Blue Pony football team opens its season tonight at home at 7 p.m. against the Whitefish Bulldogs. NMB Sports spoke with Head Coach Jake Eldridge after Tuesday’s practice about what the team needs to do to start week one with a 1-0 record.
Flathead Beacon
2026 Flathead Valley Fall Sports Preview
After a 2025 fall season filled with individual and team state championships, several Flathead Valley athletes will be on the title defense, while others will make a push to reach the mountain top of Montana high school sports after falling one win short a season ago. The Glacier Wolfpack and...
Whitefish Pilot
New Whitefish golf coach looks to build on tradition, earn hardware
Whitefish High School Head Golf Coach Danny Neff knows what it takes to keep the Bulldogs on a high pedestal. “Whitefish has aways been known for the tradition of golf,” Neff said. The Whitefish girls are pushing for hardware coming off a second-place finish at state last year. “We’re hoping for a top three finish,” Neff said. “If they play how we know they can play, we’ll have no problem getting some hardware.” Seniors Karlee Brown, Rhylee Scott and Caroline Owens will be leaders for the team. Brown was fourth, Scott 13th and Owens 21st at state last year. The Whitefish boys are strong as well. There are three seniors on the varsity squad. The JV crew is competitive, and Neff anticipates a promising future for the team. “It’s bittersweet because we have eight kids that are always fighting for the last two spots on varsity,” Neff said. Whitefish-raised Neff has competitive roots that go back to his high school days. As a Bulldog he played football and wrestled, but golf has always been a part of my life. “Being a competitor myself – that's just how I grew up,” he said. Neff is beginning his 11th year at Muldown
Whitefish Pilot
Bulldogs kick off season against Havre
The roster is balanced and the grass is greener for the Bulldogs as they prepare for the football season opener against Havre on Friday. Boasting 60 team members, the Whitefish roster balanced across grades, although there are a good number of newcomers, between freshmen and a few athletes new to the sport or the school. Team captains are Luke Dalen, Braylon Dunn, Sam Rainford and Austin Alton. "A big part of the culture of the program is driven by leaders," said Brett Bollweg, Whitefish head coach. "And not just those four, but the team in general has done a nice job of working hard to get themselves into that same position, learning what it takes to be an example for the younger guys." Senior quarterback Dalen is one to watch after a momentous junior season. Alton, Vlad Shestak, Vance Schwaiger and Leo Bungener are all poised to have exceptional seasons. Most of the team's coaches are back on board, but assistant coach Landon Henderson has stepped away, focusing on family. A former Bulldog player, Connor Silliker, joins the team after coaching and teaching in Billings for the last 12 years. "The continuity within our coaching staff always helps," Bollweg said.
bitterrootstar.com
Bitterroot golfers at Ronan, Hamilton’s Burnett wins
The golf teams from Corvallis, Hamilton, and Stevensville started their seasons in Ronan at the aptly named Ronan Invitational on Thursday, August 20, against nine other Class A schools. Hamilton’s Cameron Burnett shot a three-over 75 to take first place in the girls standing; Burnett took 6th place at last...
swxlocalsports.com
After perfect 12-0 season, Glacier High Wolfpack aim to repeat as champs
KALISPELL, Mont. - Glacier High headed into the new football season after a perfect 12-0 championship run, but the Wolfpack also entered the year with major roles to replace. The team reached the title game for a third straight season after back-to-back runner-up finishes. Now Glacier prepared to defend its state title with returning players who already knew what it took to win.
Valley Press - Mineral Independent
Hot Springs teams up with Polson for football
There will be no high school football in Hot Springs this fall. Due to a last-second apparent shortage of players, Hot Springs High School officials have decided to enter a cooperative football program at Polson High School. The Polson school board approved the agreement, reportedly only hours before practice began for the season. Hot Springs athletic director Jim Lawson, who was set to coach the Savage Heat 6-Man football team until only a few weeks ago, said that Hot Springs seniors Chase DePoe and Ben Aldridge were able to make it to Polson’s first football practice Friday and will compete as Class A Polson Pirates this fall. Lawson said his son Kane Lawson, who works for a restoration company in the Polson area, was hired as an assistant football coach as part of the agreement between the schools. Kane was originally set to return as Hot Springs assistant before the last minute changes. Jim says he may also consult with the Polson coaching staff at times this coming season, as Pirate coach Carson Oakland has welcomed Hot Springs into the fold. Jim Lawson said he is going to miss the excitement of Friday night football in Hot Springs. “It’s one
totalhorsechannel.com
Lake County Leader
Flathead Lake Monsters host first and successful Queens Bay open swim event
The Flathead Lake Monsters welcomed swimmers from around western Montana to Polson this weekend for the Queens Bay Lake Monsters Open Water Swim, an event designed to bring the swimming community together while introducing athletes to a different side of the sport. The event drew 38 swimmers for 5K, 10K and 1-mile races in Flathead Lake. For the Lake Monsters, a relatively small program based at Mission Valley Aquatics, the turnout made the event a tremendous success as the team continues to develop its open-water tradition. “The biggest goal was to bring people together, have fun and give swimmers an opportunity to experience something different,” said Pat Gilmartin, Lake Monsters head coach and race director. “Swimming can sometimes feel like a lot of going back and forth in a pool. Open water shows kids that all of those skills they work so hard to develop can also take them to some pretty amazing places.” Open-water swimming is a competitive discipline, with sanctioned competitions held throughout the United States and internationally. The 10K open-water swim is also an Olympic event. Lake Monsters swimmers have qualified for regional open-water competitions, and the team hopes events like Queens Bay can introduce more local
Lake County Leader
Opinion: Ice rink crew appreciates community support
The board of the Mission Valley Ice Arena Association (MVIAA) extends sincere thanks to the many generous local donors, businesses and organizations whose support has helped realize the dream of an indoor ice arena. Thanks to this remarkable community effort, construction has begun. Following initial fundraising by our all-volunteer MVIAA directors, developer Mike Maddy generously donated a commercial lot by the Mission Valley Aquatics Center. Greater Polson Community Foundation and numerous other organizations are providing invaluable support. MVIAA qualified for a Montana Commerce construction grant funded through lodging taxes. Danell “Bumper” Thingelstad is managing the project with local service providers whenever possible, keeping our investment in the community. Bret Richardson of Stonefly Financial is our fiduciary. Mission Valley Ice Arena will provide programs for youth and adult hockey, ice dancing, skills clinics, curling, performances, tournaments and public skating during colder months. Off-season, the facility will accommodate a variety of non-ice community events. This project is truly a community achievement, made possible through the generosity, hard work and commitment of many. We are deeply grateful to everyone who's contributed time, resources, expertise and encouragement along the way. – Volunteer MVIAA directors: Jamie Buhr, Linda Greenwood, Devin Huntley, Hilary Lozar, Charlie Mizia,