The Flathead Braves football team remained undefeated at home in 1996 last Friday by defeating the woeful 0-7 Sentinel Spartans.
"Our seniors have a chance to be undefeated at home this year," said head coach Bob Applegate.
After leading 21-0 at the end of the first quarter, the Brave's defense closed the door, letting Sentinel score only once. Flathead has not allowed an opponent to score over 20 points at Rawson Field this season.
The Braves scored early and often.
Running back Josh Herzog scored a 5-yard run in the opening drive and ran for another touchdown late in the third quarter. Running back Jake Winters scored two TDs in the first, and wide receiver Toby Winters caught an 18-yard pass for a touchdown in the second. Leading 31-0 in the third, defensive back Jake Bain intercepted a pass from the Sentinel quarterback and returned it for a touchdown, effectively ending the game.
"It was a great team effort," Herzog said following the game. "Everyone contributed. Bain's interception got us all fired up."
The Flathead defense stifled the winless Spartans, allowing only one touchdown - a 22-yard run from the Sentinel quarterback - early in the fourth quarter.
Flathead quarterback Bill Henderson also had an impressive night, passing for 219 yards and one touchdown in a little over three quarters. Still, Henderson stresses a team effort.
"We've still got to take it one game at a time, but we're all looking at the playoffs," Henderson said. "We all play as a whole; that's why we win."
The victory gave confidence to an already optimistic Brave's team.
"After this game, we start rolling to the state championship," said linebacker Chris Hogue.
The Braves improved their record to 5-2 in conference and 6-2 overall. The Braves are currently ranked third in the AA conference going into the final two weeks of the regular season. Flathead plays Bozeman at home tonight and Big Sky on the road next week in games that could decide whether the Braves have a chance in the playoffs.
"We're sitting real good," Applegate said. "If we win our next two games we're in the playoffs. It's just a matter of seeing if we're third or fourth. I guess the big thing is beating a good Bozeman club."