The Bigfork Vikings are two days into fall camp with a new starting quarterback, a young roster and a season opener against defending state champion Frenchtown looming on the horizon. Keeping Score host Luke Schmit sits down with head coach Hunter Johnson, first-year starting quarterback Alex Ochs and receiver-corner Rye Rodriguez to talk about a summer of work that has this team ahead of where it was a year ago.

Johnson explains how a state championship baseball season - one he coached alongside several of these same players - shaped the next-play mentality he's building into this football team, while Ochs and Rodriguez open up about stepping into bigger roles, the underclassmen who are turning heads in camp and why they're treating a matchup with the defending champs as just the start of the season rather than something to fear. Johnson also breaks down what a successful season looks like beyond the win-loss column.

Chapters
00:00 - Intro
00:31 - Coach Johnson on seniors stepping up early
00:52 - Alex Ochs on taking over at quarterback
01:20 - Alex on his summer coming off a baseball state title
01:59 - Coach Johnson on a young roster stepping up ahead of schedule
02:37 - Season opener: facing defending champion Frenchtown
03:01 - Alex on quarterback nerves and finding his rhythm
03:18 - Rye Rodriguez on facing elite competition to open the year
04:02 - Conference outlook and staying focused on themselves
04:38 - Coach Johnson on bringing a state championship mentality from baseball
05:20 - Rye on the journey of last year's baseball title run
06:15 - Alex on his offseason focus as a senior
06:42 - Underclassmen to watch this fall
07:12 - Coach Johnson on Quinn's return and full commitment to football
07:29 - What a successful season looks like beyond wins and losses
08:40 - Coach Johnson's closing thoughts on his leaders

Northwest Montana deserves strong news reporting. Your donation helps continue work like this possible. Learn more at dailyinterlake.com/support

Thanks to Corwin Motors for sponsoring the Keeping Score podcast! They’re proud to be family-driven for over 100 years. Corwin’s commitment goes beyond selling cars; they’re dedicated to serving our community and providing you with the highest quality vehicles to fit your lifestyle. Whether you’re searching for reliability, style, or comfort, they’ve got you covered. If you’re in the market for a new Chevrolet or just want to learn more, visit http://corwinmotorskalispell.com.   

For full coverage and the latest sports updates, visit the Daily Inter Lake at: https://dailyinterlake.com/news/sports/. Support local journalism and subscribe to us!  Watch this podcast and more on our YouTube Channel. Find us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Got a news tip, want to place an ad, or sponsor this podcast? Contact us!

The Whitefish Bulldogs lost a group of veteran leaders after last season's playoff run, but head coach Brett Bollweg says that question mark has been erased in the best way possible. Keeping Score host Luke Schmit sits down with Bollweg and seniors Luke Dalen and Austin Alton to talk about who's stepping into those leadership roles, how the offense has grown more complex, and what fixed the communication issues that plagued the defense a year ago.

Dalen breaks down the offseason work that turned him into a more complete quarterback, including the mental side of reading coverages, while Alton details the defensive communication that's already paying off in practice. Both seniors reflect on the swings of last season - a late collapse against Columbia Falls and a signature comeback win over Bigfork - and what those games taught them heading into a rivalry matchup next Friday. Bollweg closes with why he's more excited about this group's leadership than almost anything else happening in the program right now.

Chapters
00:00 - Intro and meeting the Bulldogs
00:15 - Coach Bollweg on erasing last year's leadership question mark
00:57 - Last season's postseason experience
01:17 - Spikeball!
01:53 - Austin Alton on stepping into a leadership role
02:19 - Coach Bollweg on the pride of watching leaders emerge
03:13 - Luke Dalen on his offseason quarterback development
04:13 - Lessons from last year's Columbia Falls collapse and Bigfork comeback
05:01 - Coach Bollweg on the team's health heading into game week
05:35 - Luke Dalen on how far ahead the offense is this year
06:21 - Austin Alton on the defense's improved communication
07:02 - Coach Bollweg on his seniors' leadership and what's ahead

Northwest Montana deserves strong news reporting. Your donation helps continue work like this possible. Learn more at dailyinterlake.com/support

Thanks to Corwin Motors for sponsoring the Keeping Score podcast! They’re proud to be family-driven for over 100 years. Corwin’s commitment goes beyond selling cars; they’re dedicated to serving our community and providing you with the highest quality vehicles to fit your lifestyle. Whether you’re searching for reliability, style, or comfort, they’ve got you covered. If you’re in the market for a new Chevrolet or just want to learn more, visit http://corwinmotorskalispell.com.   

For full coverage and the latest sports updates, visit the Daily Inter Lake at: https://dailyinterlake.com/news/sports/. Support local journalism and subscribe to us!  Watch this podcast and more on our YouTube Channel. Find us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Got a news tip, want to place an ad, or sponsor this podcast? Contact us!

It was a defensive battle from start to finish, and Glacier running back Trey Ramey was one of the Wolfpack’s biggest offensive weapons. Ramey powered through 26 carries for 104 yards in Glacier’s 6-3 overtime loss to Billings West at Legends Stadium, earning him Poster Player of the Week honors.

Glacier led 3-0 heading into the fourth quarter before Billings West tied the game with a field goal and eventually won it with another field goal in overtime. The Wolfpack's defense held West without a touchdown, while Ramey accounted for more than 100 yards of offense in a gritty performance against one of Class AA’s top teams. 

Read Jon Allen's coverage of the game on dailyinterlake.com.

Northwest Montana deserves strong news reporting. Your donation helps continue work like this possible. Learn more at dailyinterlake.com/support

Thanks to Corwin Motors for sponsoring the Keeping Score podcast! They’re proud to be family-driven for over 100 years. Corwin’s commitment goes beyond selling cars; they’re dedicated to serving our community and providing you with the highest quality vehicles to fit your lifestyle. Whether you’re searching for reliability, style, or comfort, they’ve got you covered. If you’re in the market for a new Chevrolet or just want to learn more, visit http://corwinmotorskalispell.com.   

For full coverage and the latest sports updates, visit the Daily Inter Lake at: https://dailyinterlake.com/news/sports/. Support local journalism and subscribe to us!  Watch this podcast and more on our YouTube Channel. Find us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Got a news tip, want to place an ad, or sponsor this podcast? Contact us!

The Flathead Braves head into year two under head coach Mac Roche with a full offseason behind them, a scrimmage against Great Falls in the books and a quarterback change at the center of it all. Keeping Score host Luke Schmit sits down with Roche, senior lineman Hudson Casper and returning all-conference standout Oliver Rosenberg to break down what's different about this team compared to last fall.

Roche explains why a full year with this group has the Braves further along than they were at this point last season, introduces transfer quarterback Bear Barker, and talks about the basketball and baseball players who've made the jump to the football field this fall. Rosenberg and Casper open up about the tight bond built through a full offseason of work, the standard they're trying to set for underclassmen, and why brotherhood is what keeps them coming back to the game.

00:00 - Intro 
00:16 - Coach Roche previews the season
00:45 - Breaking down the Great Falls scrimmage
01:15 - Coach Roche on year two and a full offseason with the team
02:01 - Oliver on the tightest bond he's been part of
02:25 - Hudson on the standard he's setting for underclassmen
02:50 - The quarterback change: introducing transfer Bear Barker
03:41 - Basketball and baseball players joining the football team
04:24 - Integrating players who joined the program later
05:22 - What Coach Roche wants to see improved this season
05:54 - Why they love football: the brotherhood
06:44 - Season outlook

Northwest Montana deserves strong news reporting. Your donation helps continue work like this possible. Learn more at dailyinterlake.com/support

Thanks to Corwin Motors for sponsoring the Keeping Score podcast! They’re proud to be family-driven for over 100 years. Corwin’s commitment goes beyond selling cars; they’re dedicated to serving our community and providing you with the highest quality vehicles to fit your lifestyle. Whether you’re searching for reliability, style, or comfort, they’ve got you covered. If you’re in the market for a new Chevrolet or just want to learn more, visit http://corwinmotorskalispell.com.   

For full coverage and the latest sports updates, visit the Daily Inter Lake at: https://dailyinterlake.com/news/sports/. Support local journalism and subscribe to us!  Watch this podcast and more on our YouTube Channel. Find us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Got a news tip, want to place an ad, or sponsor this podcast? Contact us!

The Glacier Wolfpack enter fall camp with a state championship already in hand and a fourth straight title game appearance in sight. Keeping Score host Luke Schmit sits down with head coach Grady Bennett and senior leaders Cooper Pelc and Dylan Banzet to talk about what it takes to defend a title, how the quarterback room is shaking up after Jackson Presley's departure, and why character - not the scoreboard - is the standard this program is built on.

Bennett breaks down the challenge of replacing a four-year starter, the competition between his current quarterbacks, and the markers he looks for early in camp to gauge what kind of team he has. Pelc, a University of Montana commit, talks about staying locked into the present instead of what's next, while Banzet shares the team's singular focus heading into the season. Both seniors open up about the mentors who shaped how they lead - and what it's really like playing for a coach who cares more about building men than winning football games.

Chapters
00:00 - Intro
00:18 - Coach Bennett on defending the title and the target on their back
01:24 - Cooper Pelc on chasing a fourth straight title game
02:12 - Dylan Banzet on the standard heading into the season
02:28 - Cooper on stepping into a vocal leadership role
02:49 - Coach Bennett on watching his seniors grow up
03:30 - The quarterback battle after Jackson Presley
04:18 - Building chemistry with a first-year starter
04:55 - What Coach Bennett is seeing from this year's team
06:07 - Cooper on his Montana commitment and staying present
06:32 - Dylan on the team's one goal
06:52 - The mentor who shaped how they lead
07:42 - Fall camp intensity and early confidence
08:55 - What it's like playing for Coach Bennett

Northwest Montana deserves strong news reporting. Your donation helps continue work like this possible. Learn more at dailyinterlake.com/support

Thanks to Corwin Motors for sponsoring the Keeping Score podcast! They’re proud to be family-driven for over 100 years. Corwin’s commitment goes beyond selling cars; they’re dedicated to serving our community and providing you with the highest quality vehicles to fit your lifestyle. Whether you’re searching for reliability, style, or comfort, they’ve got you covered. If you’re in the market for a new Chevrolet or just want to learn more, visit http://corwinmotorskalispell.com.   

For full coverage and the latest sports updates, visit the Daily Inter Lake at: https://dailyinterlake.com/news/sports/. Support local journalism and subscribe to us!  Watch this podcast and more on our YouTube Channel. Find us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Got a news tip, want to place an ad, or sponsor this podcast? Contact us!

Torrin Murray put together a round to remember in the Crosstown Cup. This week’s Keeping Score: Poster Player of the Week goes to the Glacier golfer after he fired an unofficial 6-under-par 64 over 18 holes at Village Greens against Flathead.

Murray also teamed up with Elliot Anderson to win their best-ball matchup, helping Glacier take seven of 10 matches and keep the Crosstown Cup on the north side of Kalispell. It was a statement start to the season for Murray and the Wolfpack, and a performance that helped Glacier come out on top in one of the Flathead Valley’s biggest high school sports rivalries.

Northwest Montana deserves strong news reporting. Your donation helps continue work like this possible. Learn more at dailyinterlake.com/support

Thanks to Corwin Motors for sponsoring the Keeping Score podcast! They’re proud to be family-driven for over 100 years. Corwin’s commitment goes beyond selling cars; they’re dedicated to serving our community and providing you with the highest quality vehicles to fit your lifestyle. Whether you’re searching for reliability, style, or comfort, they’ve got you covered. If you’re in the market for a new Chevrolet or just want to learn more, visit http://corwinmotorskalispell.com.   

For full coverage and the latest sports updates, visit the Daily Inter Lake at: https://dailyinterlake.com/news/sports/. Support local journalism and subscribe to us!  Watch this podcast and more on our YouTube Channel. Find us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Got a news tip, want to place an ad, or sponsor this podcast? Contact us!

Cooper Pelc has already made his mark across multiple sports at Glacier, and the Wolfpack standout is heading into another football season with a historic track record behind him. Pelc standout athlete in football, basketball and track who has established himself as one of Northwest Montana’s most versatile competitors.

On the football field, Pelc helped Glacier capture a state championship and has already committed to continue his career with the Montana Grizzlies. This spring, Pelc made Montana history in the 110-meter hurdles, running a blistering 14.03 seconds to break the all-class Montana state record. The performance cemented his place among the fastest hurdlers in Montana history while adding another major accomplishment to an already impressive high school career.

Northwest Montana deserves strong news reporting. Your donation helps continue work like this possible. Learn more at dailyinterlake.com/support

Thanks to Corwin Motors for sponsoring the Keeping Score podcast! They’re proud to be family-driven for over 100 years. Corwin’s commitment goes beyond selling cars; they’re dedicated to serving our community and providing you with the highest quality vehicles to fit your lifestyle. Whether you’re searching for reliability, style, or comfort, they’ve got you covered. If you’re in the market for a new Chevrolet or just want to learn more, visit http://corwinmotorskalispell.com.   

For full coverage and the latest sports updates, visit the Daily Inter Lake at: https://dailyinterlake.com/news/sports/. Support local journalism and subscribe to us!  Watch this podcast and more on our YouTube Channel. Find us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Got a news tip, want to place an ad, or sponsor this podcast? Contact us!

Columbia Falls quarterback Banyan Johnston is heading into his senior season with plenty of momentum and plenty of expectations. Johnston's breakout junior campaign helped lead the Wildcats to the Northwest A conference championship.

Can Johnston lead Columbia Falls to another championship run? His junior season suggests the Wildcats have a quarterback capable of making a major impact. With his arm, experience and proven ability to lead an offense, Johnston is one of the players to watch as the Wildcats begin their pursuit of another Northwest A title.

Northwest Montana deserves strong news reporting. Your donation helps continue work like this possible. Learn more at dailyinterlake.com/support

Thanks to Corwin Motors for sponsoring the Keeping Score podcast! They’re proud to be family-driven for over 100 years. Corwin’s commitment goes beyond selling cars; they’re dedicated to serving our community and providing you with the highest quality vehicles to fit your lifestyle. Whether you’re searching for reliability, style, or comfort, they’ve got you covered. If you’re in the market for a new Chevrolet or just want to learn more, visit http://corwinmotorskalispell.com.   

For full coverage and the latest sports updates, visit the Daily Inter Lake at: https://dailyinterlake.com/news/sports/. Support local journalism and subscribe to us!  Watch this podcast and more on our YouTube Channel. Find us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Got a news tip, want to place an ad, or sponsor this podcast? Contact us!

Senior Day called for a big moment—and Micah Engle answered.

For this week's Poster Player of the Week, we recognize Kalispell AA Laker Micah Engle after his clutch performance helped lift the Lakers to a 5-2 victory over the Billings Scarlets in their final home game of the summer at Griffin Field.

With Kalispell trailing 2-0 in the third inning and the bases loaded, Engle ripped a two-run single through the left side to erase the deficit and ignite a four-run rally that completely changed the game. The timely hit gave the Lakers the momentum they needed, and they never looked back.

Engle wasn't finished there. He reached base again in the fifth inning, came around to score an insurance run, and helped send the Lakers' senior class off with a memorable home victory. Behind strong pitching from George Schwan and Kyler Croft and timely offense throughout the lineup, Kalispell celebrated its seniors in style.

Northwest Montana deserves strong news reporting. Your donation helps continue work like this possible. Learn more at dailyinterlake.com/support

Thanks to Corwin Motors for sponsoring the Keeping Score podcast! They’re proud to be family-driven for over 100 years. Corwin’s commitment goes beyond selling cars; they’re dedicated to serving our community and providing you with the highest quality vehicles to fit your lifestyle. Whether you’re searching for reliability, style, or comfort, they’ve got you covered. If you’re in the market for a new Chevrolet or just want to learn more, visit http://corwinmotorskalispell.com.   

For full coverage and the latest sports updates, visit the Daily Inter Lake at: https://dailyinterlake.com/news/sports/. Support local journalism and subscribe to us!  Watch this podcast and more on our YouTube Channel. Find us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Got a news tip, want to place an ad, or sponsor this podcast? Contact us!

A fast start and timely hitting helped the Kalispell A Lakers open the John R. Harp Memorial Tournament with a statement win—and Madden Carrier was right in the middle of it. The Lakers' offense came alive in a pivotal third inning, and Carrier helped fuel the rally with one of his two doubles on the day, keeping the pressure on and extending Kalispell's lead.

Carrier finished with two extra-base hits, providing the offensive spark the Lakers needed to take control early and never look back. His ability to deliver in key moments helped Kalispell earn a tournament-opening victory in one of Northwest Montana's premier summer baseball events.

As the John R. Harp Memorial Tournament continues, the Lakers are looking to build momentum—and performances like Carrier's are a big reason why they're a team to watch this summer.

Northwest Montana deserves strong news reporting. Your donation helps continue work like this possible. Learn more at dailyinterlake.com/support

Thanks to Corwin Motors for sponsoring the Keeping Score podcast! They’re proud to be family-driven for over 100 years. Corwin’s commitment goes beyond selling cars; they’re dedicated to serving our community and providing you with the highest quality vehicles to fit your lifestyle. Whether you’re searching for reliability, style, or comfort, they’ve got you covered. If you’re in the market for a new Chevrolet or just want to learn more, visit http://corwinmotorskalispell.com.   

For full coverage and the latest sports updates, visit the Daily Inter Lake at: https://dailyinterlake.com/news/sports/. Support local journalism and subscribe to us!  Watch this podcast and more on our YouTube Channel. Find us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Got a news tip, want to place an ad, or sponsor this podcast? Contact us!