Montana high school football delivers another marquee non-conference clash this week as the Helena Bengals travel to take on the Gallatin Raptors on Friday, September 5, 2025, at 7 p.m. The game will be played under the lights at Gallatin High School in Bozeman, setting up what promises to be a physical and high-energy matchup.
Matchup: Helena vs Gallatin
Date: Friday., Sep. 5, 2025
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Live stream: Watch here
Both programs enter the contest undefeated after Week 1, but they bring different strengths to the field. With Helena leaning on its passing attack and Gallatin showcasing a punishing ground game, the Helena vs Gallatin game could come down to which team controls tempo and limits mistakes.
Helena Bengals: Riding Momentum After Season-Opening Win
The Helena Bengals come into this game at 1-0, ranked 39th nationally, and 9th in Montana. Their opening victory was a hard-fought 28-20 win over Skyview, proving the Bengals can perform in tight contests.
Offense Built Around the Air Attack
Quarterback Reece Silvonen led the way in Week 1 with an impressive 241 passing yards, showing poise and accuracy in moving the ball downfield. His top target was Gracen Silvonen, who collected 144 receiving yards, giving the Bengals a reliable deep threat.
On the ground, Peyton Lorenz chipped in with 81 rushing yards, keeping defenses honest and providing balance to the attack. Altogether, Helena piled up 399 total yards of offense, the highest mark between the two teams.
Defensive Notes
Defensively, Helena posted 50 tackles and added 2 sacks, led by Hudson Bell, who contributed 2 quarterback takedowns. Linebacker Auston Rowe chipped in 6 tackles, helping the Bengals slow down Skyview’s attack when it mattered most.
Helena may not overwhelm with raw defensive numbers, but their ability to tighten up late in games has already been tested.
Gallatin Raptors: Statement Win Over Butte
The Gallatin Raptors started their season in dominant fashion with a 44-13 victory over Butte, setting the tone for a program that continues to rise quickly in Montana football. Ranked 10th in the state and 3rd in class, Gallatin enters this game full of confidence and momentum.
Ground Game Dominance
Gallatin’s offense ran through Braeden Matthews, who rushed for 109 yards in the opener. The Raptors finished with 295 rushing yards as a team, establishing themselves as one of the most physical run-first squads in Montana.
Quarterback Carter Dahlke added 31 passing yards but made an even greater impact as a dual-threat leader, recording 153 total yards while also leading the team in tackles with 12. His versatility gives Gallatin an extra dimension on both sides of the ball.
Receiver Bob Springman also contributed with 24 yards through the air and two sacks defensively, proving to be a key two-way player.
Defensive Prowess
Gallatin’s defense was relentless, racking up 80 total tackles and 4 sacks in their opening victory. Linebackers and linemen alike swarmed Butte’s backfield, limiting opportunities and creating turnovers.
This physical defense will be tested against Helena’s explosive passing attack, but the Raptors have already shown they can dominate in the trenches.
Team Stats Comparison
The matchup paints a picture of contrast between the Bengals’ aerial assault and the Raptors’ ground-heavy dominance:
- Helena Bengals
- Rushing Yards/Game: 158.0
- Passing Yards/Game: 241.0
- Total Yards/Game: 399.0
- Tackles/Game: 50.0
- Sacks/Game: 2.0
- Points Scored: 28
- Gallatin Raptors
- Rushing Yards/Game: 295.0
- Passing Yards/Game: 52.0
- Total Yards/Game: 347.0
- Tackles/Game: 80.0
- Sacks/Game: 4.0
- Points Scored: 44
Helena looks more balanced statistically, but Gallatin’s heavy emphasis on the run game combined with a defensive edge makes this a fascinating clash of styles.
Players to Watch
- Helena Bengals
- Reece Silvonen (QB): 241 passing yards and 224 total yards in Week 1.
- Gracen Silvonen (WR): 144 receiving yards, explosive playmaker.
- Peyton Lorenz (RB): 81 rushing yards, steady backfield presence.
- Hudson Bell (DL): 2 sacks, key defensive disruptor.
- Gallatin Raptors
- Braeden Matthews (RB): 109 rushing yards, bell-cow runner.
- Carter Dahlke (QB/LB): 153 total yards, 12 tackles, true two-way leader.
- Bob Springman (WR/DE): 24 receiving yards and 2 sacks, impact on both sides.
- Ezekiel Leighton (K): 3 points scored, reliable in special teams.
Common Opponent Factor
Both Helena and Gallatin will see Skyview on the schedule this year. Helena already defeated Skyview 28-20 in their opener, while Gallatin will face them on September 12, 2025.
Gallatin also boasts a dominant 44-13 win over Butte, a team Helena will meet later in the season on October 3, 2025. These shared matchups will provide context for where each team stands in the bigger state picture.
Record Snapshot
Helena Bengals (1-0)
- Overall: 1-0
- Home: 1-0
- Away: 0-0
- League: 0-0
- Points For: 28 | Points Against: 20
Gallatin Raptors (1-0)
- Overall: 1-0
- Home: 0-0
- Away: 1-0
- League: 0-0
- Points For: 44 | Points Against: 13
Both squads remain unbeaten, but the Gallatin Raptors carry the bigger scoring margin, while Helena has already shown they can survive a close contest.
Keys to the Game
Helena Bengals
- Protect the Quarterback: Keeping Silvonen upright is critical against Gallatin’s pass rush.
- Early Scoring: Helena must establish rhythm quickly to avoid being forced into obvious passing downs.
- Contain Matthews: Slowing Gallatin’s run game will be the ultimate test for the Bengals’ defense.
Gallatin Raptors
- Dominate the Trenches: Continue pounding the ball with Matthews and control time of possession.
- Pressure the QB: Helena’s passing game can’t thrive if Silvonen is constantly under duress.
- Stay Balanced: While the run game is their strength, mixing in enough passing will keep the Bengals honest.
What’s on the Line
This matchup carries early-season weight for both programs.
- For Helena, it’s about proving they can beat another strong Montana opponent and that their passing game can hold up against one of the state’s most physical defenses.
- For Gallatin, it’s a chance to validate their rise in state rankings with a second straight dominant showing, potentially solidifying themselves as a team to beat in Montana Class football.
Final Thoughts
The Helena vs Gallatin game is shaping up as a battle of contrasting strengths. Helena brings an aerial attack led by quarterback Reece Silvonen, while Gallatin leans on bruising runs from Braeden Matthews and a defense built to overwhelm.
If Helena’s offensive line can buy Silvonen time, the Bengals can push the Raptors’ secondary. But if Gallatin controls the clock with their rushing attack and suffocates the quarterback, they could extend their perfect start with another convincing win.
Fans should expect an intense, physical contest when these two programs collide under the lights in Bozeman this Friday.
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