place finish, and “are now ….
place finish, and “are now more motivated,” said Bowman. Although disappointed with their runner-up status, Layng and Bowman identifi ed one key success of the new program: If it weren’t for flag football at Jefferson, “some girls would never go out for another activity.”
In the meantime, the Three Forks girls celebrated in Bronc Stadium — and the party continued on the long ride home — trophy in hand.
And Sports Fans Did You Know?
• Because of the dramatic growth in Montana girls’ flag football, the players are tuned into the fury of college and professional football. “They love watching football now,” said Wolf Point’s defensive coordinator Bif Loucks. “They study the game.”
• The Montana High School Association does not sanction girls flag football. But, thanks to the Arthur Blank Foundation and many adventurous schools, Montana girls flag football is in a meteoric rise.
• For the first three years all schools — Class AA, A, B, and C — competed against each other. Some, with only a dozen girls, were classifi ed with institutions that enrolled well over a thousand. The classifications will change next year to AA, A/B, and C. Class C is expanding with several new schools entering the league — such as Centerville and Park City.
• Class AA Missoula Hellgate, under the tutelage of Tyler Gillman, traveled all the way to Class C Hobson in the summer of 2025 to practice and compete against the Titans. The Hellgate Knights won by eight over Hobson- Moore.
• Unlike tackle football, smaller players star in girls flag football. “We unleash the hounds on our defense,” says Wolf Point’s Bif Loucks. “The girls see the offensive formation and come up with their own blitzes.” The Wolves’ rush was led by Teagan Williams, a speedy 4-10 senior, and a top tackler for Wolf Point.
• And speaking of diminutive, many of Three Forks best players are “petite in stature,” said their coach Maree Hanson. “We are not very big girls across the board.” • Coach Hanson credits Kalispell Glacier coach Mark Kessler for sharing his knowledge at an Atlanta Falcons free flag football clinic in Bozeman last summer. Hanson noted several pointers by Kessler “and made them actionable items” for her victorious Wolves. She also “watches a lot of film” on her opponents over the course of the season.
• One Three Forks Wolf that was overlooked by the press was sophomore Ava Burgos-Gruby, a sophomore center and punter. According to Hanson, “Ava had phenomenal punts in the championship game,” as well as outstanding center play all season — especially concerning snap counts.
• As an eighth grader in 2025, Wolf Point’s speedster Annaleigh Matejovsky was a state wrestling champion at 120 pounds. As a freshman in 2026, she was the state’s pole vault victor edging Three Forks’ flag football star, Maya Noble 10’9” to 10’6”.
• Two of Wolf Point’s standouts for 2025 — sisters Navy and Harper Weeks — are the granddaughters of Tom Weeks, captain of the 1972 Class A football runners up. Tom’s brothers were Willie and Big John who led Wolf Point to the 1968 Big 32 basketball championship in Bozeman’s Fieldhouse.
• The Hobson-Moore Titans won the 2026 Big Sky State Games girls flag football crown. They defeated Billings West, Shepherd, Jefferson, and 2025 Class A runner-up East Helena in the championship game.
