by Scott Sacry, Sports Editor
Bitterroot Valley high school sports begin with a bang this weekend, as the high schools from Corvallis, Darby, Florence, Hamilton, Stevensville, and Victor start playing games. The following is a roadmap to the action.
Soccer
The boys and girls soccer teams from Corvallis, Hamilton, and Stevensville are all in the Class A South conference with Frenchtown, Polson, and Loyola (girls only). All three schools have strong soccer traditions and are capable of making deep runs at the state tournament this year.
The Hamilton, Stevensville and Corvallis boys and girls soccer teams start their season this weekend – all three teams host games (see story for times). Photo by Scott Sacry.
Corvallis hosts Bigfork on Friday, August 29. The boys play at 12 p.m. and the girls play at 2 p.m.
Corvallis hosts Billings Central on Saturday, August 30. The boys play at 10 a.m. and the girls play at 12 p.m.
Hamilton hosts Billings Central on Friday, August 29. The boys play at 2 p.m. and the girls play at 4 p.m.
Hamilton hosts Laurel on Friday, August 29. The boys play at 12 p.m. and the girls play at 2 p.m.
The Stevensville boys host Park County on Thursday, August 28 at 4 p.m.
Stevensville plays at East Helena on Friday, August 29. The boys play at 4 p.m. and the girls play at 6 p.m.
Stevensville hosts Polson on Tuesday, September 2. The girls play at 4 p.m. and the boys play at 6 p.m.
Volleyball
Victor volleyball is in the Class C Western Division in the 13C Conference alongside Alberton, Charlo, Drummond, Philipsburg, Hot Springs, Lincoln, Noxon, Seeley, St. Regis, Two Eagle River, and Valley Christian.
Victor volleyball starts their season on Thursday, September 4 at Valley Christian.
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 Drummond Invitational Tournament on Saturday, August 30.
Florence volleyball has high hopes for the 2025 season as they were the 2024 Class B State runner-up. Florence is in the Class B Western Division in the 6B Conference with Darby, Anaconda, Arlee, Loyola, and Deer Lodge.
Florence volleyball starts their season at the Tip-Off Tournament in Polson on Friday, August 29, and Saturday, August 30.
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 Tip-Off Tournament in Polson on Friday, August 29, and Saturday, August 30.
Cross Country
The boys and girls cross country teams from Corvallis, Stevensville, and Hamilton begin their seasons at the Canal Run in Ronan on Friday, August 29.
The Florence cross country teams are in Libby for the aptly named Libby Invitational on Friday, August 29.
The Darby and Victor teams start the season at the Flathead Invite on September 5.
Golf
The boys and girls golf teams from Corvallis, Hamilton, and Stevensville are already in full swing and have played multiple tournaments up to this point. Corvallis and Hamilton play next at Whitefish on Wednesday, Sept. 3. Stevensville plays next at Dillon on Wednesday, Sept. 3.
Flag Football
The Hamilton girls flag football team is in their second season. They play at the Kalispell Jamboree on Saturday, August 30.