By Bruce Sayler
The defense gave up some yardage in chunks but only one touchdown as a crisp-looking Butte High girls’ flag football made its season public debut Friday with its Purple-and-White scrimmage on the almost blistering hot Naranche Stadium artificial turf.
The only touchdown was a long one. An almost length-of-field play saw freshman quarterback Rylee Erickson spot sophomore receiver Mackenzie Read behind the secondary for the scoring play before halftime. The conversion was foiled, however, when sophomore Chyanne Robinson picked off the pass.
Junior running back Brooke Johnson and Read both had big offensive games as weapons while Erickson, senior Allie Ballensky and Read also got turns at quarterback and performed well.
Freshman Kaydee O’Connor intercepted a pass to help the defense guard against another score, and, as seconds wound down, freshman Ellie Carey snared an Erickson pass and looked end zone-bound before freshman Brooklyn Hettick snagged her flag short of the goal line. Hettick also had a reception when playing on offense in the first half.
Senior Laney Huizinga was another with a TD-saving play. She, Ballensky, Megan Flanick, Charlee Griner and McKenna LeCoure are the only seniors on the 29-player Bulldog flag football roster.
Butte High will open its season next Saturday with three games in the East Helena Jamboree. Opponents will be East Helena, Boulder and Three Forks. The Bulldogs’ first home action is scheduled for September 3 with games against Kalispell Flathead and Missoula Big Sky at Naranche Stadium.
John Stenson is in his first year as head coach of the Bulldog team.
