KALISPELL — Eli Coopman scored on a 2-yard run, and Brett Chivers booted the point after touchdown with just over a minute left to play Friday night, and the Kalispell Braves beat Butte High 23-22 in a Western AA football game at Legends Stadium.
The game-winning drive came after a long lightning delay that helped zap the momentum from the Bulldogs, who battled back from a 16-0 hole to take a 22-16 lead into the fourth quarter.
An 85-yard pass from Coopman to Boston Case, a 36-yard field goal by Chivers and a 7-yard Coopman run gave the Braves a 16-0 lead.
Raeder Grey hit Kodye Kjersten for a 36-yard touchdown to get the Bulldogs on the board. Then Koyde Kjersten picked off a pass and returned it to the 1-yard line, setting up a 1-yard plunge by Gunner Bushman. After PATs by Bradey Doyle, the Bulldogs trailed 16-14 at the half.
Butte High took the lead when Grey found Kaleb Celli for a 9-yard touchdown strike. Celli then broke a few tackles to score on a reception for the 2-point conversion.
The lead looked like it would last after the Bulldogs posted a goal-line stand early in the fourth quarter. After the delay, though, it was a different story.
The Bulldogs drove down field, but ran out of time before they could get into position to attempt a field goal.
Coopman ran 34 times for 134 yards in the win. He passed for 149 more.
Grey completed 23 of 39 passes for 193 yards and the two TDs. He was picked off once. Hudson Luedtke caught 13 asses for 80 yards for the Bulldogs. Kjersten hauled in four for 70, and Celli grabbed three for 29. Mitch Verlanic also caught two passes, and Brady Walsh caught one.
Starting in place of the injured Reece Cunneen, Jacob Galle led the Bulldogs with 14 tackles. Verlanic got in on 11 tackles. Bridger Brancamp registered nine tackles, while Bushman and Jaeger Hansen each grabbed seven, and Finn Wortham registered six.
The Bulldogs are back in action next Thursday when they take on Missoula Hellgate at Washington-Grizzly Stadium.
The ButteCast with Bill Foley 