Small-town lights. Crisp, biting air. The smell of turf and concession stand popcorn. If you've spent any time in Big Sky Country during the fall, you know that Class B football isn't just a weekend distraction; it’s basically the heartbeat of the community. People travel hours—literally hundreds of miles—just to see if their local kids can pull off a win on a Friday night.
Honestly, the Montana Class B football scores from the 2025 season told a story that even the most seasoned sportswriters didn't see coming. We saw a dominant run from a powerhouse, some heart-pounding overtime thrillers, and a few "wait, did that really just happen?" upsets that shook the brackets.
The Manhattan Tigers’ Road to the Title
Let’s talk about Manhattan. They didn't just win; they commanded the field. Finishing the season with a perfect 12-0 record is hard enough in any league, but doing it in Class B, where the travel is brutal and the competition is physical, is something else entirely.
The state championship game on November 22 was the one everyone circled. It was #1 Manhattan versus #2 Three Forks. Now, Three Forks had a hell of a year, led by Kanon Reichman, who was putting up video game numbers all season. But when the dust settled in the finale, the scoreboard read Manhattan 28, Three Forks 7.
Manhattan’s defense was the real story there. They suffocated a Three Forks offense that usually scores at will. It wasn't just about the championship game, though. Look at how they got there:
- They opened the playoffs by crushing Joliet 49-22.
- The quarterfinals were a tighter affair, a 12-7 defensive slugfest against Malta/Whitewater/Saco/Dodson.
- In the semifinals, they squeaked past Lincoln County 14-12.
Those close calls showed they had the grit to win when things got ugly. Sometimes you don't need a blowout; you just need one more point than the other guy.
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Breaking Down the Playoff Brackets
The 2025 post-season was a wild ride from the first whistle. If you were tracking the Montana Class B football scores during the opening rounds, you saw some absolute offensive explosions.
Three Forks basically turned their first-round game against Baker into a track meet, winning 60-22. On the other side of the bracket, Florence-Carlton was busy putting up a 42-0 shutout against Conrad. For a minute there, it looked like Florence-Carlton might be the team to beat, especially after their dominant regular season.
But football is weird. Florence-Carlton ran into Three Forks in the quarterfinals and fell 28-20. That was one of those games where the momentum swung on a single fumble in the fourth quarter.
The semifinals were where the drama peaked. Three Forks barely survived a 32-30 shootout against Glasgow/Hinsdale/Nashua. Glasgow has one of the most exciting co-ops in the state, and Khye Gamas was a human highlight reel for them all year, finishing with 25 touchdowns. Seeing them fall by just two points was a tough pill for the northeast part of the state to swallow.
Why Three Forks Kept Everyone on Their Toes
Even though they didn't take home the trophy, you can't discuss this year's results without mentioning Three Forks. They were the most "must-watch" team in the league.
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Kanon Reichman was a statistical monster. 2,675 passing yards and 1,622 rushing yards? In high school? That’s insane. He was basically the Swiss Army knife of the division. When you have a kid who can account for that much yardage, your team is never out of a game.
Marcus Pestel was his favorite target, racking up over 1,000 receiving yards. On the flip side, their defense was anchored by Wyt Oliver, who recorded a staggering 144 tackles. It’s rare to see a team have the state’s leading passer, rusher, and tackler all on the same roster. It makes you realize how disciplined Manhattan had to be to hold them to just 7 points in the final.
Surprises and Statistical Leaders
While the top two teams grabbed the headlines, several other programs proved Class B is deeper than people give it credit for.
Lincoln County had a fantastic run, making it all the way to the semifinals before losing that heartbreaker to Manhattan. They blew out Fairfield/Augusta 47-13 in the first round and then handled Red Lodge 28-13 in the quarters.
Red Lodge itself was a bit of a surprise. Their 34-33 win over Broadwater in the first round was arguably the most entertaining game of the entire tournament. It was back and forth, lead changes every five minutes, and came down to a missed extra point. That’s the kind of game that keeps you up at night if you’re a coach.
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Top Performers of 2025:
- Passing: Kanon Reichman (Three Forks) – 2,675 Yards
- Rushing: Kanon Reichman (Three Forks) – 1,622 Yards
- Touchdowns: Khye Gamas (Glasgow/Hinsdale/Nashua) – 25 TDs
- Tackles: Wyt Oliver (Three Forks) – 144 Tackles
Looking Forward: The 2026 Landscape
So, what does this mean for next year?
Manhattan is losing some key seniors, but their program is built on a culture of winning. They don't rebuild; they reload. Three Forks will be interesting to watch because Reichman was a junior this past year. If he stays healthy, they are the immediate favorites for 2026.
We also need to keep an eye on teams like Malta and Glasgow. Those co-ops are getting stronger, and the talent pool in those smaller towns is surprisingly deep right now.
One thing is certain: Class B is currently the most competitive division in Montana high school football. The gap between the #1 seed and the #8 seed is getting smaller every year.
If you're looking for the most accurate way to stay updated on future games, the MHSA (Montana High School Association) website is the official source, though MaxPreps usually has the scores up faster on Friday nights.
To get the most out of following these teams, you should track the "Strength of Schedule" rankings. Often, a team from a tough conference like the Southern B might have two or three losses but still be more dangerous in the playoffs than an undefeated team from a weaker region.
Keep an eye on the early-season non-conference matchups in August. That’s usually where the real contenders reveal themselves before the weather turns cold and the stakes get high.