The Raptors kicked off their Class AA quarterfinal matchup against Helena High at Van Winkle Stadium with a long return from Carter Dahlke, setting the tone for a drive that culminated in Bobby Gutzman’s impressive over-the-shoulder touchdown catch in the back of the end zone, all before three minutes had elapsed.
That gave us the confidence we needed,” Gutzman stated about his 19-yard touchdown. “We have so many weapons on offense; the only team that can hold us back is ourselves.” This sentiment still rang true during Friday’s game. The Eastern AA champion Raptors (10-0) showcased their dominance at times but also acknowledged areas for improvement in a 35-13 victory. Gallatin squandered two opportunities in the red zone during the second quarter and allowed Helena to score a late touchdown, slightly dimming an otherwise strong performance. “Our coaching staff wasn’t entirely satisfied with how we played; we looked a bit sloppy,” head coach Hunter Chandler remarked. “We left a lot of points on the field and let them score on the last drive when we should have gotten off the field.” Despite these concerns, the team celebrated reaching the semifinals for the third consecutive season. Two years ago, they fell to Bozeman in that round, and last year they lost to Kalispell Glacier on the road. Their latest victory sets up a rematch against the Wolfpack at home next Friday.
We know we have to face tough teams like them, Helena Capital, and Billings West if we want to achieve our goals,” Chandler said regarding the final four. This game against the Bengals (5-6) marked the fourth straight playoff encounter between the teams. Helena won their first postseason meeting in 2021 (42-28), Gallatin triumphed in 2022 (24-21), and the Raptors dominated last season (40-6). Bengals head coach Dane Broadhead emphasized containing the explosive Dahlke brothers as a defensive priority. “I think we did pretty well in the first half, but things unraveled for us after that,” he said.
After Gutzman’s touchdown reception on Gallatin’s opening drive, Carter Dahlke extended the lead with an 8-yard touchdown run on the second drive, putting the Raptors up 14-0 after the first quarter. The Raptors advanced deep into Helena’s territory on their third drive, but penalties led to a turnover on downs after they reached a third-and-1 situation from the 9-yard line. Helena capitalized on this, with Trygve Braun scoring on an impressive 87-yard rush, which Broadhead noted provided the team with a boost after trailing early. There were a few more punt exchanges, but as the first half ended, Gallatin again found itself in the red zone, only to miss a chance to score when a pass to Carter Dahlke fell short on a fourth-and-4. Chandler viewed that missed opportunity as a significant moment that kept the game closer than necessary. However, the Raptors bounced back in the third quarter with a quick 34-yard touchdown run from Reese Dahlke, making it 21-7. “That first stop was critical,” Chandler said, “getting the ball back and extending our lead felt important after all the missed chances in the first half.” The Raptors maintained a two-touchdown lead until Carter Dahlke returned a punt 75 yards for a score late in the third, pushing the lead to 28-7. Broadhead acknowledged his team’s difficulty in maintaining momentum on drives against such a formidable opponent, citing too many mistakes throughout the game.
Vigen connected with Carter Dahlke on a 55-yard flea flicker early in the fourth quarter, sealing the victory. Helena’s quarterback, Mac Lundstrom, scored a late 4-yard touchdown to Carter Petre, wrapping up the scoring. “I’m proud of our kids for their hard work and commitment throughout the season,” Broadhead said. He also commended Gallatin’s impressive season and their swift play. The Raptors now shift their focus to the semifinals, a stage they’ve reached twice before but never advanced from. They are hoping this year will be different. “We need to elevate our game next week if we want to keep moving forward,” Chandler reflected. “Making it to the semifinals is exciting, but for us, that’s no longer enough.”
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