Bozeman, Montana – The excitement of the first round of the 2024 high school football playoffs took center stage this past weekend, with teams all over the state battling for a chance to move on. The action was intense as schools showcased their hard work from the season.
In a standout matchup, the Eastern AA No. 4 seed Bozeman struggled against the Sentinel Spartans, the Western AA No. 5 seed. Sentinel was unstoppable, managing to score a touchdown in every single one of their six possessions. This impressive performance highlighted their offensive strength, leaving Bozeman searching for answers throughout the game.
Another thrilling encounter saw Missoula Big Sky break a decade-long playoff win drought, defeating Billings Senior with a score of 34-13. The Bengals continued their good run, eliminating CMR from the playoffs for the second time since 2019, marking their fourth win in the last five games. Coach Clint Layng praised his team’s season-long development, noting how well they have prepared for this moment.
Meanwhile, Florence-Carlton put on a dominant performance against Fairfield/Augusta, setting the stage for a rematch with Jefferson. In a thrilling debut in the playoffs, Kanon Reichman shined as Three Forks’ starting quarterback, showing great skill and poise.
Another surprising result came from Chinook, which flexed its muscles in the trenches to stun the previously undefeated Valley Christian. The playoffs are proving to be as unpredictable as ever, setting up exciting matchups in the next round.
Fans witnessed great plays and unforgettable moments in several games, including Helena High’s victory over CMR and a decisive win for the Jefferson Panthers against the Joliet J-Hawks, finishing at 55-10.
As the playoffs advance, anticipation grows for next week’s matchups across all five classes in Montana. Teams are fighting hard, and every game is critical as they seek the ultimate prize.
