Montana

The Blitz: Montana high school football highlights (Sept. 13)

Published

1 year ago

September 14, 2024

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The Blitz: Montana high school football highlights (Sept. 13)

Editor’s note: The Blitz is updated as we receive game results.

Class AA

• No. 2 Kalispell Glacier 49, Butte 14: Kobe Dorcheus rushed for three touchdowns, Jackson Presley hit Ethan Anderson on a 49-yard touchdown pass and ran for another score, and the Wolfpack scored on six of their seven first-half possessions to dominate the winless Bulldogs. The Pack went up 28-0 in the first quarter and led 42-0 at halftime. Colton Shea threw touchdown passes to Tocher Lee and Hudson Luedtke for Butte.

• No. 5 Helena Capital 41, Missoula Sentinel 6: Merek Mihelish put on a show, throwing five touchdown passes and going 10-for-16 for 268 yards — his two longest TD strikes went for 78 and 55 yards to Daniel Larson, and Drew Almquist had a 40-yard catch and run. Cole Graham got the party started in the first quarter with a one-yard TD plunge. The Spartans’ lone score came on a Jace Kashotka touchdown pass.

• No. 1 Bozeman 42, Billings Skyview 13: Hawks (3-0) quarterback Kash Embry had a busy game against the Falcons (0-3), taking in two touchdowns himself and throwing for one each to Evan Hughen and Luke Zundel. Brady Casagranda also subbed in and tossed a 2-yard TD to Logan Humphrey, while Ben Wheeler found paydirt from the goal line. Skyview’s Paxton Fitch threw both of his touchdowns in the first half, first from a 4-yard dot to Camble Bjornstad then via an 80-yard house call to Zakai Owens.

• Great Falls 38, Belgrade 7: Riley Collette threw touchdown strikes to Steele Harris and Dane Gundlach and ran for another score, and Braedon Rankin and Mason Kralj hit paydirt as the Bison improved to 2-1.

• Helena 45, Missoula Hellgate 6: The Bengals (1-2) got their first win of the year off of the back of a three-TD night from Trygve Braun on the ground; he also kicked a 29-yard field goal as a bonus. Mac Lundstrom also had a 14-yard strike to Jaxan Lieberg, and Kyle Davis took a fumble back for a score. Hellgate dropped to 0-3, getting on the board in the third quarter when Vince Paffhausen threw a 3-yard score to Evan Pyron.

• No. 4 Billings West 38, Great Falls CMR 7: CJ Johnson threw for two scores and ran for another as the Golden Bears (3-0) rolled. Matt Ludwig and Elias Bonner were the recipients of those touchdown throws, while recent Montana State commit Malachi Claunch and Payton Cicero added rushing touchdowns. Kaelan Fleury also booted through a 25-yard field goal. CMR (1-2) got a late 1-yard TD from Keegan Fuller to prevent the shutout.

• Missoula Big Sky 29, Kalispell Flathead 0: The Eagles improved to 3-0, with junior quarterback Avery Omlid passing for 201 yards and three touchdowns. The Braves (0-3) committed eight turnovers — four fumbles and four interceptions. Big Sky jumped to a 20-0 halftime lead and added nine points in the third frame. Two of Omlid’s TD passes went to Cormack Batt and one to Mason Fulford.

Class A

• Whitefish 21, Corvallis 20: Carson Gulock put the Bulldogs on his back, passing for 159 yards and a TD, and rushing for 137 yards and a pair of scores, as Whitefish (2-1) rallied from a 20-7 halftime deficit with a pair of second-half touchdowns. CJ Thew snagged four catches for 70 yards and a score, and Calvin Eisenbarth had three receptions for 51 yards.

• Frenchtown 14, Lakeland, ID 7: Brody Hardy was involved in both touchdowns for the third-ranked Broncs (3-0) in a low-scoring classic, neither of which were more important than his 1-yard keeper with nine seconds remaining to slay the state-ranked team from Idaho. A 36-yard passing score from Hardy to Jordan Warner in the first quarter was Frenchtown’s other time finding the endzone.

• Browning 40, Stevensville 0: The Indians picked up their first win of the season behind a pair of big plays from Tahj Wells, who opened the scoring by taking a punt to the house, and had a 41-yard touchdown run to start the fourth quarter. Ashton Granados rushed for a five-yard TD, and the Indians scored on a pick-six.

• No. 1 Dillon 21, Columbia Falls 7: In a rematch of last year’s dramatic Class A state championship game, the Beavers (2-0) got the same result as they didn’t allow the Wildcats (1-2) to find the endzone until the fourth quarter. Hank Hagenbarth had the only score of the first half from a 3-yard rush in the first frame, though he found paydirt again early in the fourth from two yards out. Jrney Mataafa then had a 20-yard scamper and score for Dillon to make it 21-0 before CFalls’ Banyan Johnston threw a 10-yard dot to Easton Brooks to get the Wildcats on the board late.

8-Man

• St. Regis-Mullan (ID) 30, Arlee 28: A scoreless first quarter eventually led to a barn-burner, as the Tigers (2-1) came back from a four-point deficit to start the fourth to win it. Barrett Bessette had a pivotal fumble recovery for a touchdown in the fourth for St. Regis-Mullan, while Conner Lulis and Ayden Rael also scored. Arlee (1-2) had a 57-yard rushing touchdown from Eli O’Neill and a 4-yard score from Bridger Smith in the second quarter.

• Deer Lodge 56, Lodge Grass 22: The Wardens (1-2) finally broke a losing streak dating back to 2019, finishing off the win in style as they led 34-8 after three and scored 22 more points in the final frame. Lodge Grass (0-3) was within reach after two quarters, being down 22-8 at the break, but Deer Lodge outscored the visitors 34-14 the rest of the way.

• Fairview 47, Culbertson 18: Tyler Loan had a monster night for the top-ranked Warriors (3-0), scoring six touchdowns as Fairview held off a stiff challenge from the Cowboys (2-1), who were only down 27-18 at half. Loan ran it in himself three times and threw for three more, connecting twice with Deacon Gackle and once with Wyatt McPherson. Reese Moon scored twice for Culbertson through a pick-six and 17-yard run, while Bridger Salvevold had the Cowboys’ other TD with a short-range score.

6-Man

• Westby-Grenora 57, Brockton 13: Dilan Wade and Cade Else both had big nights for the Thunder (2-1), who rolled to a 49-0 lead at the half and romped past the Warriors (0-3). Wade finished with five TDs, two of which were thrown to Else and the other three coming from a run, pick-six and fumble recovery. Else had an interception return TD of his own, as well, as did teammate Draygen Buechler. Thomas Arnson had an 11-yard TD run for Brockton.

• Highwood 48, Hobson-Moore 22: The Mountaineers (2-1) made it two straight wins with Chase Tinklenberg and Ryder Zanto being the main men with a combined five touchdowns. Hobson-Moore (0-3) scored first as Kade Lee got a long touchdown pass from Isaac Muaws, but Highwood then ripped the game open with 40 unanswered points. Braxton Crowder took a kickoff 79 yards to the house during that surge while Zanto and Tinklenberg each had two scores before half, with the latter throwing for one of them to Wyatt Mortensen. Mortensen caught another later from Treyton Tinsen while the Titans got late scores from Hunter Wichman and Mason Thom in the fourth.

Editor’s Note: To have games included here, submit scores and scoring details to 406mtsports.myteamscoop.com.

Scoreboard: High school football boxscores (Sept. 12-14)

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Californians caught using ‘Montana Loophole’ to dodge supercar sales tax — and Beverly Hills is the worst

Published

9 hours ago

March 9, 2026

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Californians caught using ‘Montana Loophole’ to dodge supercar sales tax — and Beverly Hills is the worst

California has launched a huge crackdown on criminals buying and registering supercars outside of the state to avoid eye-popping sales tax.

Fourteen people have been charged after $20 million worth of vehicles were sourced to the Big Sky State in what authorities are calling the “Montana Loophole.”

The cars include a $1.8 million McLaren Elva, a Porsche 918 Spyder and a $1.26 million Ferrari F12TDF, the attorney general’s office said.

In the Golden State base rate sales tax is 7.25%. For a Lamborghini or Ferrari that can reach up to $250,000 or higher, that can mean a tax bill over $18,000. In Montana it is zero.

The gang, from Alameda, Marin, Santa Clara and Sacramento, allegedly dodged more than $1.8 million in taxes since 2018.

They are accused of filing false records showing the supercars were bought in Montana but then drove and kept them in California.

The DMV has launched nearly 100 criminal investigations into similar schemes across California since 2023 and recovered $2.3 million. It says the schemes are costing over $10 million per year.

It says there are 601 fraudulently registered cars involved and the DMV and California Department of Tax and Fee Administration have reviewing all car sales made in Montana.

California AG Rob Bonta said: “When bad actors abuse legal loopholes and submit fraudulent documents to evade their obligations, the California Department of Justice will not stand idly by.

“Every dollar of unpaid taxes is a dollar taken from California’s roads, schools and the vital services our communities rely on.”

The AG’s office said Beverly Hills was the city with the most suspicious car sales, with 416 cases on its radar from the luxury enclave.

It also released a series of text messages from defendants in Marin County and Walnut Creek, which said: “Don’t want the state of California to know anything about this car.”

Another asked: “Before you deliver it to him can you please remove the dealer plate.” One more asked if those with Montana plates had issues, the reply was: “Not yet.”

Another defendant added: “70k saved — I can’t believe the registration lasts for five years — that’s crazy. Stupid California. Paid 3k to own a 600k car for 5 years — lol in Cali that’s like 75k for 5 years. Hella dumb.”

California DMV Director Steve Gordon said: “We encourage all Californians to do the right thing and register their vehicle here if they are operating it in California.”

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How to watch Montana vs. Montana State women’s basketball: Big Sky Tournament TV channel and streaming options for March 8

Published

21 hours ago

March 8, 2026

Press Room

How to watch Montana vs. Montana State women’s basketball: Big Sky Tournament TV channel and streaming options for March 8

March 8, 2026Updated 2:15 pm EDT

The No. 2 seed Montana State Bobcats (23-6) will square off against the No. 8 seed Montana Lady Griz (9-21) in the Big Sky tournament Sunday at Idaho Central Arena, tipping off at 4:30 p.m. ET.

How to watch Montana Lady Griz vs. Montana State Bobcats

Stats to know

Montana State averages 74.8 points per game (42nd in college basketball) while allowing 60.9 per contest (101st in college basketball). It has a +403 scoring differential overall and outscores opponents by 13.9 points per game.
Montana State makes 7.5 three-pointers per game (61st in college basketball) at a 29.4% rate (244th in college basketball), compared to the 6.7 its opponents make while shooting 32.9% from deep.
Montana has a -270 scoring differential, falling short by 9.0 points per game. It is putting up 62.2 points per game, 252nd in college basketball, and is allowing 71.2 per outing to rank 310th in college basketball.
Montana hits 2.2 more threes per game than the opposition, 9.2 (12th in college basketball) compared to its opponents’ 7.0.

This watch guide was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.

Betting/odds, ticketing and streaming links in this article are provided by partners of The Athletic. Restrictions may apply. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication.

Photo: Patrick Smith, Andy Lyons, Steph Chambers, Jamie Squire / Getty Images

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Depleted Montana edges NAU, sets up 2nd-round rematch with Montana State at Big Sky tourney

Published

1 day ago

March 8, 2026

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Depleted Montana edges NAU, sets up 2nd-round rematch with Montana State at Big Sky tourney

BOISE, Idaho — It became clear at about 1 p.m. Saturday that Avery Waddington, Montana’s second leading scorer and top rebounder — would not play in the first round of the Big Sky Conference tournament at Idaho Central Arena.

Waddington was battling the onset of an illness since earlier in the morning that neither rest nor fluids could quell. Another starter — Jocelyn Land — wasn’t feeling her best, either, nor were two Lady Griz assistant coaches.

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Depleted Montana edges NAU, sets up 2nd-round rematch with Montana State at Big Sky tourney

Some kind of bug had infiltrated the Montana women’s basketball team. But coach Nate Harris and the remaining Lady Griz weren’t about to bug out of the postseason, and went on to claim a 61-60 victory over Northern Arizona to keep their season intact.

No. 8-seeded Montana (9-21) advanced to secure a matchup with No. 2 seed and rival Montana State (23-6) in a Big Sky second-round game on Sunday at 2:30 p.m.

“We just made it about, how hard can you play?” said Harris, who pumped his fist and celebrated with his team after NAU’s final shot rimmed off at the buzzer. “Everyone in here can defend their tail off, so let’s just get out there and guard, guard, guard and see if we can have one more point than the other team.”

Harris’ words proved to be prophetic. Montana won by surviving a last-second shot by Northern Arizona’s Naomi White, an attempt she had to work hard to create after taking an inbound pass with less than three seconds left.

With the way they bowed out of last year’s Big Sky tournament — on a last-second shot by Montana State’s Marah Dykstra in the championship game — the Lady Griz were grateful to be on the other end of the drama.

“There have been situations where that memory has kind of come up (this season) and made me really nervous, and definitely today was one of them,” UM’s Mack Konig said. “However, you learn from your mistakes, and I think our team was prepared to play until the very end, so that was great.”

Greg Rachac / MTN Sports

Montana’s Joclyn Land drives during a game against Northern Arizona at the Big Sky Conference women’s basketball tournament at Idaho Central Arena on Saturday, March 7, 2026, in Boise, Idaho.

After gutting it out in the first half, Montana’s Land left the game in the second half due to her malaise. But Konig scored a team-high 17 points and Rae Ehrman added 16 to pace the Lady Griz. Kennedy Gillette contributed 15 points and nine rebounds.

NAU’s White led all scorers with 24 points while hitting 10 of 10 from the foul line.

As Harris stated, defense did the trick for the Lady Griz. With that as a focus, and with players defending out of position, notably Gillette, Konig and Macy Donarski in the post, Montana held the Lumberjacks to 31.7% shooting and a 5-for-20 showing from 3-point range. White, one of the league’s best players, shot 6-for-22 from the floor.

The Lady Griz are moving on to a rematch with Montana State in the second round. The Bobcats won both regular-season matchups by an average of 27.5 points. Throw in the memory of last year’s title-game chaos, and it’s a matchup Montana is looking forward to.

“It just makes us really excited for (Sunday),” Gillette said. “Chloe (Larsen) said in the locker room that it’s hard to beat a team three times, so that kind of gives us some juice. We know what we need to do and what to focus on.”

“It’s not a hard answer, right?” Harris said. “You have to take care of the rock, you have to rebound and you have to match, if not exceed, their level of toughness. I think today was a great lesson moving into that game.”

Big Sky women’s tournament scoreboard

Saturday, March 7

Game 1: No. 9 Weber State 76, No. 10 Portland State 53

Game 2: No. 8 Montana 61, No. 7 Northern Arizona 60

Sunday, March 9

Game 3: No. 1 Idaho vs. No. 9 Weber State, 12 p.m.

Game 4: No. 2 Montana State vs. No. 8 Montana, 2:30 p.m.

Monday, March 10

Game 5: No. 4 Idaho State vs. No. 5 Sacramento State, 12 p.m.

Game 6: No. 3 Northern Colorado vs. No. 6 Eastern Washington, 2:30 p.m.

Tuesday, March 11

Game 7: Game 3 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 12 p.m.