by Scott Sacry
High school sports in the Bitterroot Valley begin with a bang this weekend, as the high schools from Corvallis, Darby, Florence, Hamilton, Stevensville and Victor start playing varsity games. The following is a roadmap to the action
Football Preview
The Bitterroot Valley is full of football talent, and, year in and year out, the Bitterroot has some of the best high school football teams in the state.
Corvallis, Hamilton, and Stevensville play in the highly competitive Class A Southwest Conference alongside Frenchtown, Dillon, and Butte Central. Early prognosticators have Hamilton as a top five Class A team. Hamilton went 8-2 in 2025, making it to the quarterfinals of the Class A State Tournament where they lost to state runner-up Billings Central. Their only other loss last season came against Class A State Champion Frenchtown.
Hamilton hosts Ronan in their opening game on Friday, August 28, at 7 p.m.
The Corvallis and Stevensville football teams are looking to rebound after a tough 2025 season where both teams only had one win.
Stevensville hosts Hardin in their opening game on Friday, August 28, at 5 p.m.
Corvallis plays at Polson in their opening game on Friday, August 28, at 7 p.m.
Florence plays in the West Division of Class B alongside Anaconda, Eureka, Loyola, Deer Lodge, and Thompson Falls. Florence was 6-4 last season, but it’s hard to say they had an off year. Their losses came against Class A State Champion Frenchtown, Class B State Champion Manhattan, and Class B State Runner-up Three Forks. Florence made it to the Class B State quarterfinal game last season, losing to Three Forks. Florence is a perennial contender for a state title, and 2026 looks no different as the Falcons will start the season as a top ten team.
Florence will face a familiar opponent in their season opener, as they play at Three Forks on Friday, August 28, at 7 p.m.
Both Darby and Victor play in the West Division of 8-Player football alongside Arlee, Charlo, Plains, Saint Ignatius, Seeley-Swan, St. Regis, Superior, and Troy. Darby finished 7-3 in 2025 and qualified for the state tournament where they lost in the first round to Ennis. Darby hosts Charlo in their home opener on Friday, August 28, at 7 p.m.
Victor hopes to improve on their 2-7 season in 2025. Victor starts their season on Friday, August 28, at St. Regis at 7 p.m.
Soccer
The boys and girls soccer teams from Corvallis, Hamilton, and Stevensville are all in the Class A Southern Division with Frenchtown, East Helena, Polson, and Loyola (girls only). All three Bitterroot schools have strong soccer traditions and are capable of making deep runs at the state tournament this year.
Corvallis
The Corvallis boys play Thompson Falls in Polson on Friday, August 28, at 1 p.m., and they play Browning in Polson on Saturday, August 29, at 1 p.m.
The Corvallis girls play Browning in Polson on Friday, August 28, at 3 p.m.
Hamilton
The Hamilton girls play Columbia Falls in Stevensville on Friday, August 28, at 1 p.m., and Lone Peak in Stevensville on Saturday, August 29, at 11 a.m.
The Hamilton boys play Columbia Falls in Stevensville on Friday, August 28, at 11 a.m., and Lone Peak in Stevensville on Saturday, August 29, at 9 a.m.
Stevensville
The Stevensville boys host Columbia Falls on Friday, August 28, at 4 p.m., and Lone Peak on Saturday, August 29, at 4 p.m.
The Stevensville girls host Columbia Falls on Friday, August 28, at 6 p.m., and Lone Peak on Saturday, August 29, at 6 p.m.
Volleyball
Victor volleyball is in the Class C Western Division in the 13C Conference alongside Drummond, Philipsburg, Seeley-Swan, Lincoln, and Valley Christian. Victor volleyball starts their season on Saturday, August 29, at Hot Springs at 6 p.m.
Darby is in the Class B Western Division in the 6B Conference along with Florence, Anaconda, Arlee, Loyola, and Deer Lodge. Darby volleyball starts their season at the Mission Tip-Off on Saturday, August 29, in Mission.
Florence volleyball has high hopes for the 2026 season after making a run to the Class B State tournament in 2025. They are in the Class B Western Division in the 6B Conference with Darby, Anaconda, Arlee, Loyola, and Deer Lodge. Florence volleyball starts their season at Thompson Falls on Tuesday, September 1, at 7 p.m.
Corvallis, Hamilton, and Stevensville are in the Class A Western Division in the Southwest Conference with Dillon, Frenchtown, and Butte Central. All three of the teams open their season at the NW/SW A Tip-Off Tournament in Dillon on Friday, August 28, and Saturday, August 29.
Cross Country
The boys and girls cross country teams from Corvallis, Stevensville, and Hamilton are all in Class A and have strong cross country traditions. Corvallis and Hamilton start their season at the Billings Invite on Friday, August 28. Stevensville starts their season at the Flathead Invite in Kalispell on Friday, September 4.
The Florence and Darby cross country teams are in Class B. Darby and Florence start their season at the Flathead Invite in Kalispell on Friday, September 4.
The Victor cross country team is in Class C and starts the season at the Mountain West Classic in Missoula on September 19.
Golf
The boys and girls golf teams from Corvallis, Hamilton, and Stevensville play in Class A are already in full swing and have played multiple tournaments up to this point. Next up, Corvallis and Hamilton play at Anaconda at Old Works on Wednesday, August 26. Stevensville plays next at the Frenchtown Invite at King Ranch on Thursday, August 27.
Flag Football
The Hamilton girls flag football team is in their third season. They open the season at Mission against Flathead and Mission on Thursday, August 27.