by Scott Sacry
Darby 64, Charlo 0
Darby hosted Charlo in their home opening football game on Friday, August 28. Darby was in top form and vanquished the visiting Vikings 64-0. The Tigers were up 24-0 after the first quarter, 40-0 at halftime and rolled to the lopsided victory.
“The team is looking really good,” said Darby Head Coach John Steiner. “I have 15 upperclassmen this season. These seniors are the first group I’ve had since middle school, so everybody knows the system. We are looking to make a deep playoff run this year.”
For Darby, Jordan Browning had over 100 yards rushing and 80 yards receiving, including two rushing touchdowns and one receiving. Abe Atkins threw for two touchdowns and rushed for another. Reagan Christopherson had 50 yards rushing including a touchdown and had 10 tackles on defense.
Darby plays next at Arlee on Friday, September 4, at 7 p.m. Arlee was defeated by Superior 18-82 in their opening game of the season.
Florence 28, Three Forks 34
The Florence Falcons started their 2026 football season in Three Forks on Friday, August 28. Both teams are top-five teams in Class B and contenders for a state title this season. This was a close contest that could have gone either way, but Florence fell just short and lost 28-34 on an end-of-the-game touchdown by Three Forks.
Individually for Florence, Jake Schneiter had a big game, as the senior quarterback completed 13 of 22 passes for 234 yards and four touchdowns. Schneiter also rushed for 33 yards and led the team with 15 total tackles. Brennan Meinhold had six receptions for 131 yards and two touchdowns. Luca Caldarone rushed for 77 yards and had three receptions for 76 yards and two touchdowns.
On the defensive side for Florence, Lorenzo Caldarone, Lee Blair, and Christian Englund each had 13 total tackles, and Makoah Laasch had two interceptions.
Florence and Three Forks know each other well, as Three Forks defeated Florence twice last season, including a 28-20 Florence loss in last year’s Class B State Quarterfinal game.
Florence’s job doesn’t get any easier this week as they host defending Class B State Champion and #1 ranked Manhattan in Florence on Friday, September 4, at 7 p.m. Manhattan defeated Anaconda 36-6 in their opening game.
Hamilton 49, Ronan 0
The Hamilton Broncs, a top-five ranked Class A team, hosted Ronan in their opening game on Friday, August 28. The Broncs asserted their dominance and handily defeated Ronan 49-0.
Hamilton next hosts Whitefish on Friday, September 4, at 7 p.m. Whitefish defeated Havre 50-20 in their first game of the season, so this game will be a good early test for Hamilton.
Corvallis 14, Polson 29
Corvallis played at Polson in their opening game on Friday, August 28. The Blue Devils played a competitive game but lost 14-29. “Our team is coming off of a solid off-season and plans to improve from last year’s record,” said Corvallis Head Coach Josh McCrossin. “Captains Ayden Spencer (WR/Safety) and Aidan Emerson (OL/Nose) are two of our top players this year, but expect to see plenty of other names week-to-week in the stat sheets.”
Offensively for Corvallis, Ayden Spencer rushed for 53 yards and scored two touchdowns; he also had 10 receptions for 70 yards. Defensively, Marshall Jessop had nine total tackles, and Aidan Emerson had seven tackles and two sacks.
Corvallis next hosts Bigfork on Friday, September 4, at 7 p.m. Bigfork lost to Frenchtown 0-38 in their opening game.
Stevensville 0, Hardin 44
The Stevensville football team hosted Hardin in their opening game on Friday, August 28. The Yellowjackets fought hard but lost 0-44.
In their next game, Stevensville hosts Libby on Friday, September 4, at 7 p.m. Libby defeated Browning 20-12 in their opening game.
Victor football season forfeited
The Victor High School football program didn’t have enough players this year to field a team, so they have forfeited their games for the 2026 football season. As a result, the Victor team has co-opted with the Darby team. Victor coach Zach Schurman and five Victor players will be a part of the Darby football team this season.
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