By Ben Catley
MaxPreps.com
Football: Butte Opens 5-0
They had won their first four games in nail-biting fashion. But in this week's win, Butte High football tested out the scoreboard lights at Bulldog Memorial Stadium.
The Bulldogs, the No. 2 team in the Class AA media poll, hammered Missoula Hellgate, 42-7, for their largest win of the 2006 Montana High School football season, and to become the first team in Class AA to get to 5-0. Top-ranked Helena Capital had a bye.
The Bulldogs (MaxPreps Montana No. 6) scored just 52 points in their first four games, and won those contests by a combined total of 16 points. But on this particular Friday night, five different Bulldogs scored touchdowns, and the defense set the offense in great field position all night long. The Bulldogs rolled up 286 yards of total offense in the victory.
The meat of the schedule, however, awaits the Bulldogs, with road games at Billings Skyview (1-4) and Bozeman (3-2), and home tilts with Billings West (4-1) and, following a bye week, Oct. 6 against Kalispell (4-1).
Football: Top Teams in Class A, B, Continue to Roll
One week removed from 1-versus-2 matchups, the top teams in Montana Classes A and B picked up where they left off during this past week of action.
Dillon (MaxPreps Montana No. 4), the top-rated team in Montana A, rolled past Frenchtown, 27-14, in a rematch of the 2005 state title game, and the Central A Conference opener for both teams. The Beavers (4-0), who beat then-No. 2 Billings Central a week prior, used a solid performance from quarterback Zach McRae and a shutout in the second half by the Dillon defense to get the win. It's the second-straight win for the Beavers over the Broncs since dropping a close decision during the regular season in 2005.
McRae was 15-of-31 passing for 261 yards and three touchdowns, and added a scoring run for the Beavers. Nate Lebsock ran for 179 yards for the Broncs, who were outgained 340-283.
In Montana Class B, the Huntley Project Red Devils (MaxPreps Montana No. 1) protected their newly-acquired top ranking with a 56-0 rout of Whitehall. One week removed from a 29-15 win at then-No. 1 Baker, the Devils continued their regular season roll before entering 4B Conference play this coming week.
Volleyball: Broncs Continue Dominance of Class AA
For the Billings Senior High volleyball team, it's the same old thing. However, winning doesn't get boring.
The Lady Broncs, who have won three of the past five Montana Class AA state titles, including last season, have picked up this fall right where they left off in 2005.
The latest victim was Great Falls on September 23, as the Lady Broncs won in another three-game sweep. Senior has won 14 of 15 matches this season.
The toughest tests for the Lady Broncs may come from within the city limits. Billings West (9-5) and Billings Skyview are coming off a second and third-place finish, respectively, at the Dickinson (ND) Tournament. Billings West finished second in the state last season.