Football Game Preview: Dawson County Red Devils vs. East Helena Vigilantes + How To Watch

The Dawson County Red Devils will head out on the road to square off against the East Helena Vigilantes at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. Dawson County has given up an average of 29.5 points per game this season, but Friday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.

Dawson County is coming in fresh off a high-stakes matchup with another one of Montana's top teams: Billings Central Catholic, who was ranked first at the time (Dawson County was ranked 21st). The Red Devils were beaten by the Rams 67-13 on Friday. The Red Devils have struggled against the Rams recently, as the game was their sixth consecutive lost matchup.

Meanwhile, East Helena entered their tilt with Fergus on Friday with two consecutive wins but they'll enter their next game with three. They simply couldn't be stopped as they easily beat the Golden Eagles 42-6. The Vigilantes might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won six games by 21 points or more this season.

Dawson County better keep an eye on Bearek Shuman. He was instrumental in East Helena's win, rushing for 154 yards on only 12 carries, while also throwing for 102 yards and one touchdown. Those 154 rushing yards gave Shuman a new career-high.

East Helena was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 306 rushing yards. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now rushed for at least 175 rushing yards in three consecutive matchups.

East Helena didn't go easy on the quarterback and picked off three passes before the game was over. The team can thank three different players for their defensive prowess: John Benevides, Talen Thatcher, and Austin Riley, who each picked up one interception apiece.

East Helena's record is now 7-2. As for Dawson County, their defeat dropped their record down to 4-4.

Things could have been worse for Dawson County, but things could have been a whole lot better as they took a 60-42 loss to East Helena when the teams last played back in September of 2024. Can the Red Devils avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.