Peyton Lorenz ran for 105 yards and two touchdowns to lead Helena High to a 35-28 win over Butte High in front of a smallish Silver B’s Night crowd Friday at Naranche Stadium.
It was a kickoff return, a fake punt and trick play, though, that broke the Bulldogs back.
Butte High led 14-7 at halftime before Sean Gibson returned the opening kick of the second half 96 yards for a game-tying touchdown.
After Lorenz put the Bengals on top with his second TD, this one for 27 yards, Brayden Garza threw a 58-ayrd strike to Seth Kiser on a trick play to make it a 28-14 Helena lead.
That play came right after a fake punt gave Helena a first down.
The Bulldogs did not go down quietly, though. Junior quarterback Raeder Grey threw fourth quarter TD passes to Koyde Kjersten for 52 yards and Hudson Luedtke for 9 yards.
Garza, though, punched in an 11-yard run in between those Butte scores.
Grey completed 21 of 29 passes for 324 yards and three TDs. He also hooked up with Luedtke for an 8-yard strike in the first quarter.
Luedke had a monster game, catching 12 passes for 180 yards Fellow senior Kaleb Celli caught four passes for 35 yards. Brady Walsh grabbed three for 53 and Kjersten hauled in two for 56.
Senior Peyton Johnson ran for 48 yards, while Gunner Bushman punched in a 2-yard touchdown run.
Noseguard Waylond Hicks intercepted a pass and returned it 43 yards to set up Butte’s first touchdown. Jaeger Hanson led the defense with 13 tackles, while Mitch Verlanic added 11 and Finn Wortham got in on 10.
Bridger Brancamp registered a sack. He also recovered a fumble that was forced by Wortham.
The Bengals improved to 4-2 overall and 3-1 in conference. The Bulldogs fell to 1-5 and 0-4. Butte High will play at Kalispell Flathead next Friday.
The ButteCast with Bill Foley 