High School Football Roundup: Malta comes up short in Class B title game

Butte 38, Bozeman 36 (AA)

In an incredible finish, the Butte High Bulldogs captured their first state champion since 1990 by beating the Bozeman Hawks 38-36 Friday night in Butte.

The Hawks, coached by former Havre High head coach Troy Purcell, had rallied from two touchdowns down in just two minutes, by scoring a TD, recovering an onside kick and scoring again. The Hawks led 36=35 with just 21 seconds left, and it looked as though Purcell would get his second Class AA state title in three years. But the Bulldogs got a great kickoff return, two completions and a 47-yard field goal by Jake Dennehy to steal the win.

Billings Central 37, Dillon 7 (A)

The Billings Central Rams are back on top of Class A football, finally. The Rams had lost in their last five appearances in the state championship game, but Saturday in Billings, they completed a perfect season by dominating defending champion Dillion, 37-7.

The Rams, who won their first state title since 2007, Jacob Stanton threw for a touchdown and ran for two more, and Connor Cerkovnik and Austin Barthel each had a rushing touchdown in the win. Dylan Hanser caught Stanton's TD pass.

Missoula Loyola 20, Malta 14 (B)

The Missoula Loyola Rams did something few teams have done as of late, win a Class B state football championship on the road. Saturday, the Rams defeated Malta 20-14 to claim the Class B crown.

Loyola quarterback Bo Hughes ran for 221 yards on 21 carries, including an 82-yard TD. Hughes injured his shoulder in the second quarter and moved to running back for the rest of the game. The Mustangs got two TD passes by Kendal Denham in what was their only loss of the season.

Superior 44, Fairview 12 (C)

Last year it was Twin Bridges, Saturday it was Superior. For the second straight year, Fairview came up empty in a trip to the Class C title game. Superior dominated the Warriors 44-12 in Superior to capture the 8-man championship.

Billy Smith threw for 331 yards and four touchdowns for Superior, which scored 44 unasnwered points after Fairview led 6-0 in the first quarter. Fairview star running back Cody Vitt was held to 61 yards on 14 carries and was also ejected from the game for fighting.