by Scott Sacry
High school sports begin in earnest this weekend, as Bitterroot Valley teams start their fall seasons with their first taste of competition.
Every Bitterroot Valley high school football team has a home game, so get ready for some Friday night lights – or Saturday noon sun for Victor.
There are some intriguing football storylines this year. Florence is coming off their third straight state title: can they make it four? Corvallis made it to the State Semifinals last year: can this year’s team go all the way? Hamilton got bounced in the State Quarterfinals last year: are they ready to return to past dominance?
Every Bitterroot Valley volleyball team will travel to Tip Off Tournaments outside the area. Corvallis, Hamilton and Stevensville will be at Frenchtown. Victor and Darby will be in Philipsburg, and Florence will be in Choteau.
And that’s just the tip of the sports iceberg. Below is a breakdown of all the high school sports activities for the upcoming weekend. Times may be subject to change.
Thursday, August 29
Golf: Frenchtown Tournament (Stevensville, Corvallis & Hamilton), 10am
Soccer: Stevensville boys at Frenchtown, 5pm
Soccer: Corvallis at Bigfork, boys 4pm, girls 6pm
Volleyball: Florence at Choteau Tourney
Friday, August 30
Cross Country: Ronan Canal Run (Stevensville, Corvallis, Hamilton)
Cross Country: Florence at Libby Invite
Soccer: Stevensville hosts East Helena, girls 4pm, boys 6pm
Soccer: Hamilton at Billings Central, girls 4pm, boys 6pm
Volleyball: Tip Off Tournament in Frenchtown (Stevensville, Corvallis, Hamilton), times vary.
Volleyball: Florence at Choteau Tourney
Football: Darby hosts Troy, 5pm
Football: Florence hosts Jefferson, 7pm
Football: Corvallis hosts Browning, 7pm
Football: Hamilton hosts Whitefish, 7pm
Football: Stevensville hosts Libby, 7pm
Saturday, August 31
Volleyball: Tip Off Tournament in Frenchtown (Stevensville, Corvallis, Hamilton), times vary.
Volleyball: Florence at Choteau Tourney
Volleyball: Victor & Darby at the Tip Off Tournament in Philipsburg
Soccer: Hamilton at Laurel, girls 10am, boys 12pm
Football: Victor hosts Plains, 1pm
Flag Football: Hamilton Jamboree, 11am
JRC says
Didn’t even mention that Hamilton High School has a brand new sport for the ladies. Flag Football in part sponsored by the Atlanta Falcons. They will be playing at Home in a jamboree Saturday starting at 11am