After a strong season start, the Braves lost their second conference football game on Friday to the No. 1-ranked Helena Capitol Bruins, 31-19.
After trailing 14-13 at the half, the Braves scored only six points in the third and fourth quarters, compared to the Bruins' 17.
"We need to work on getting better," said Braves head coach Bob Applegate. "We played good for two quarters and Capitol's a good team. But we need to channel our frustration for the rest of the season."
Josh Herzog scored two touchdowns for the Braves, giving him eight touchdowns in the first three games of '96.
On a team heavy with upperclassmen who previously had not started, including quarterback Bill Henderson, the Braves looked tough, despite the loss to Capitol.
In the season opener against Helena High on Sept. 6, the Braves opened with a Herzog field goal and never relinquished the lead, scoring 31 points in the first half, compared to Helena High's 20. Neither team scored in the second half.
In the second game of the season against Columbia Falls, Herzog was dominant, scoring a whopping five touchdowns and six point-after touchdown conversions, totaling 36 points.
"Our offensive line dominated tonight," Herzog said after the Columbia Falls game.
After going up 21-0 in the first quarter, the Braves held Columbia Falls scoreless and tacked on another 21 points. Columbia Falls reached the Braves' territory only twice.
On Friday, the Braves play Sentinel at home.
Said Applegate:
"The guys who didn't play well (against Helena Capitol) know who they are. Everybody needs to
step up on both offense and defense."