Wolfpack stuns Sentinel

MISSOULA - The Glacier defense forced six turnovers and the Wolfpack stunned the No. 3-ranked Missoula Sentinel 24-17 to claim its biggest Class AA football victory in program history on Friday.

The Wolfpack (4-2) trailed 14-7 at halftime but came out and scored 17 unanswered points in the second half while the defense cuffed Sentinel's offense.

"It was just beautiful how they rallied and stayed together and never quit," Glacier head coach Grady Bennett said.

The defense shined for the second week in a row. They recovered two fumbles and intercepted four passes. Glacier held Sentinel to a field goal in the second half.

Boyce Ballard, Justin Schenck, Brendan Hagen and Kyle Montini had interceptions for Glacier.

"The story of this game tonight is our defense," Bennett said. "Even going down 14-7 at halftime, it kind of seemed like we were down 35-7. But our defense just settled in and the kids just kept making play after play after play."

The night saw a number of first-time accomplishments for Glacier - first defensive touchdown, a 35-yard interception return by Ballard; first time beating a ranked opponent; first winning streak, now at two games.

"It's so neat to watch these kids be a part of history," Bennett said. "This is so special. Every milestone, every moment is a new standard."

Taylor Hart scored Glacier's first touchdown on a one-yard run in the opening quarter. Hart finished with 45 yards on 18 carries and Shay Smithwick-Hann totaled 108 yards on 13 carries.

George Werk started the rally with a touchdown in the third quarter off a trick-play pass from Colter Hanson. Werk finished with three catches for 61 yards.

Glacier 7 0 17 0 - 24

Sentinel 14 0 0 3 - 17

First quarter

S - Ben Roberts 65 pass from Riley King (Justin Meyer kick), 11:10.

G - Taylor Hart 1 run (Brendan Hagan kick), 8:57.

S - Brian Maus 14 pass from King (Meyer kick), 5:56.

Third quarter

G - George Werk 27 pass from Colter Hanson (Hagan kick), 9:03.

G - FG Hagan 24, :08.

G - Boyce Ballard 35 interception return (Hagan kick), :00.

Fourth quarter

S - FG Meyer 32, 2:26.

INDIVIDUAL LEADERS

RUSHING - Glacier (42-191): Shay Smithwick-Hann 13-108, Taylor Hart 18-45, Wiley Fusaro 10-36, George Werk 1-2. Sentinel: (27-54): Ryan Mutzenberger 17-43, Riley King 4-15, Tyler Jacobsen 1-1, Justin McManus 2-(-1), Jace Prideaux 3-(-4).

PASSING - Glacier: Smithwick-Hann 5-17-0-43, Colter Hanson 1-1-0-27. Sentinel: King 26-45-4-407.

RECEIVING - Glacier: Werk 3-61, Joshua Criner 1-9, Fusaro 1-1, Hart 1-(-1). Sentinel: Ben Roberts 5-108, Jacobsen 6-99, Connor Woodill 6-77, Prideaux 4-48, Mutzenberger 1-27, Brody Miller 2-24, Brian Maus 1-14, Tyler Ramos 1-10.