Bulldogs pound Knights at Wa-Griz

Grey has hand in three touchdowns

MISSOULA — Raeder Grey passed for two touchdowns and ran for one more Thursday night, and the Butte High Bulldogs kept their football playoff hopes alive with a 36-10 Western AA win over Missoula Hellgate at Washington-Grizzly Stadium.

Butte High never trailed in the victory that snapped a five-game losing streak,

Bradey Doyle booted a 33-yard field goal to cap Butte High’s opening drive to put the Bulldogs up for good.

Later in the first quarter, Hudson Luedtke returned a punt to the 1-yard line, setting up ta 1-yard touchdown plunge by Gunner Bushman, the first of two scores for the senior.

Vince Paffhausen found Evan Pyron for a 49-yard completion early in the fourth quarter. One play later, Pyron carried it in for a 1-yard TD run to cut the lead to 10-7.

Grey scored on a 1-yard run on fourth down before Jaxon Mund booted a 40-yard field goal to make it a 16-10 Bulldog lead. Then Grey hit Kodye Kjersten for a 30-yard touchdown 12 seconds before halftime, and Butte High took a 23-10 advantage into the break.

Bushman added a 7-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter to extend the lead to 29-10. Then Grey looked to scramble, stopped and hit Luedtke over the middle for a 21-yard TD in the fourth quarter to cap the scoring.

Grey completed 17 of 24 passes for 174 yards. He also scrambled for 63 yards.

Peyton Johnson ran 24 times for 98 yards, and Bushman picked up 20 yards on 11 carries.

Luedtke caught six passes, while Brady Walsh grabbed five. Both finished with 52 yards. Koda Schleeman caught two passes.

Paffhausen ran for 80 yards and passed for 61 before leaving the game with an injury.

Defensive stats are not available, but Bridger Brancamp registered a pair of sacks, and Mitch Verlanic picked off a pass to set up a score. Jacob Galle also got in a sack. Walsh blocked a punt.

We will have more on the defensive stats once coaches go through game film.

The Bulldogs will close out the regular season next Friday night against Helena Capital at Naranche Stadium. Butte High will be celebrating Senior Night.

Butte Central beat Ronan 40-0 earlier this season at Washington-Grizzly Stadium, meaning Butte teams are 2-0 on the Montana Grizzly turf in 2025.