Keeping Score

A front-row seat to Northwest Montana high school sports, Daily Inter Lake's Keeping Score podcast keeps you up to date on Northwest Montana’s players and coaches who make it happen. Batter up for our exclusive interviews, Poster Player of the Week, and game recaps. Explore more from the Daily Inter Lake’s podcast network! Get the latest news on the Big Sky Conference from our Big Sky Now podcast, with teams based in Montana, Washington, and Idaho. News Now covers major stories making headlines in Montana, events to check out, and breaking news for the Flathead Valley and beyond. Deep Dive brings you in-depth stories from across our area. And Side Tracks shares the stories behind Northwest Montana's local music, food, and arts culture.  

  1. Sep 3

    Columbia Falls Wildcats Football 2026 Season Preview: Brotherhood, Speed, and a Playoff Push

    Two days before kickoff, Daily Inter Lake sports reporter Luke Schmit sat down with Columbia Falls Wildcats head coach Kelly Houle, quarterback Banyan Johnston, and running back/linebacker Tripp Ross ahead of Thursday's season opener against Fergus at Grizzly Stadium in Missoula. Coach Houle breaks down why this team is "weeks ahead" of where they were a year ago, the brotherhood culture that drives the program, and what he wants to see change after a playoff run last season - starting faster instead of building momentum late. Johnston talks about sharpening the details in his game and stepping into a senior leadership role for the Wildcats' freshmen, while Ross previews his downhill running style, a veteran offensive line, and a defense built to play fast with Jackson Cadwell and Daniel Contreras up front. Chapters 00:00 - Intro 00:29 - Coach Houle on Season Expectations 01:02 - Thursday's Opener vs Fergus at Grizzly Stadium 01:08 - Banyan Johnston on Off-Season Growth 01:27 - Tripp Ross on Trusting His Quarterback 01:37 - Ross's Running Style and a Veteran O-Line 02:05 - Building Chemistry With a Newer-Look Team 02:45 - Family Culture and Letting the Kids Play 03:02 - Johnston Steps Into a Senior Leadership Role 03:16 - What Fueled Last Year's Playoff Run 04:10 - Playing Fast: Read, React, Fire 04:23 - The Johnston-to-Jordan Hill Connection 05:20 - Defense Preview With Ross and Jackson Cadwell 05:34 - Coach Houle on Culture, Trust, and "Love Each Other" 06:15 - The Whitefish Game Audible That Shifted Momentum 06:52 - This Year's Goal: Fix the Slow Starts 07:09 - Player Shoutouts 07:47 - Final Thoughts Northwest Montana deserves strong news reporting. Your donation helps continue work like this possible. Learn more at dailyinterlake.com/support Thanks to Corwin Motors for sponsoring the Keeping Score podcast! They’re proud to be family-driven for over 100 years. Corwin’s commitment goes beyond selling cars; they’re dedicated to serving our community and providing you with the highest quality vehicles to fit your lifestyle. Whether you’re searching for reliability, style, or comfort, they’ve got you covered. If you’re in the market for a new Chevrolet or just want to learn more, visit http://corwinmotorskalispell.com.    For full coverage and the latest sports updates, visit the Daily Inter Lake at: https://dailyinterlake.com/news/sports/. Support local journalism and subscribe to us!  Watch this podcast and more on our YouTube Channel. Find us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Got a news tip, want to place an ad, or sponsor this podcast? Contact us!

    Columbia Falls Wildcats Football 2026 Season Preview: Brotherhood, Speed, and a Playoff Push
  2. Sep 2

    Bigfork Vikings Football 2026: New Starting QB, a Young Roster and a Season-Opening Test

    The Bigfork Vikings are two days into fall camp with a new starting quarterback, a young roster and a season opener against defending state champion Frenchtown looming on the horizon. Keeping Score host Luke Schmit sits down with head coach Hunter Johnson, first-year starting quarterback Alex Ochs and receiver-corner Rye Rodriguez to talk about a summer of work that has this team ahead of where it was a year ago. Johnson explains how a state championship baseball season - one he coached alongside several of these same players - shaped the next-play mentality he's building into this football team, while Ochs and Rodriguez open up about stepping into bigger roles, the underclassmen who are turning heads in camp and why they're treating a matchup with the defending champs as just the start of the season rather than something to fear. Johnson also breaks down what a successful season looks like beyond the win-loss column. Chapters 00:00 - Intro 00:31 - Coach Johnson on seniors stepping up early 00:52 - Alex Ochs on taking over at quarterback 01:20 - Alex on his summer coming off a baseball state title 01:59 - Coach Johnson on a young roster stepping up ahead of schedule 02:37 - Season opener: facing defending champion Frenchtown 03:01 - Alex on quarterback nerves and finding his rhythm 03:18 - Rye Rodriguez on facing elite competition to open the year 04:02 - Conference outlook and staying focused on themselves 04:38 - Coach Johnson on bringing a state championship mentality from baseball 05:20 - Rye on the journey of last year's baseball title run 06:15 - Alex on his offseason focus as a senior 06:42 - Underclassmen to watch this fall 07:12 - Coach Johnson on Quinn's return and full commitment to football 07:29 - What a successful season looks like beyond wins and losses 08:40 - Coach Johnson's closing thoughts on his leaders Northwest Montana deserves strong news reporting. Your donation helps continue work like this possible. Learn more at dailyinterlake.com/support Thanks to Corwin Motors for sponsoring the Keeping Score podcast! They’re proud to be family-driven for over 100 years. Corwin’s commitment goes beyond selling cars; they’re dedicated to serving our community and providing you with the highest quality vehicles to fit your lifestyle. Whether you’re searching for reliability, style, or comfort, they’ve got you covered. If you’re in the market for a new Chevrolet or just want to learn more, visit http://corwinmotorskalispell.com.    For full coverage and the latest sports updates, visit the Daily Inter Lake at: https://dailyinterlake.com/news/sports/. Support local journalism and subscribe to us!  Watch this podcast and more on our YouTube Channel. Find us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Got a news tip, want to place an ad, or sponsor this podcast? Contact us!

    Bigfork Vikings Football 2026: New Starting QB, a Young Roster and a Season-Opening Test
  3. Sep 1

    Whitefish Bulldogs Erase Biggest Question Mark: Inside Fall Camp with Coach Bollweg & Senior Leaders

    The Whitefish Bulldogs lost a group of veteran leaders after last season's playoff run, but head coach Brett Bollweg says that question mark has been erased in the best way possible. Keeping Score host Luke Schmit sits down with Bollweg and seniors Luke Dalen and Austin Alton to talk about who's stepping into those leadership roles, how the offense has grown more complex, and what fixed the communication issues that plagued the defense a year ago. Dalen breaks down the offseason work that turned him into a more complete quarterback, including the mental side of reading coverages, while Alton details the defensive communication that's already paying off in practice. Both seniors reflect on the swings of last season - a late collapse against Columbia Falls and a signature comeback win over Bigfork - and what those games taught them heading into a rivalry matchup next Friday. Bollweg closes with why he's more excited about this group's leadership than almost anything else happening in the program right now. Chapters 00:00 - Intro and meeting the Bulldogs 00:15 - Coach Bollweg on erasing last year's leadership question mark 00:57 - Last season's postseason experience 01:17 - Spikeball! 01:53 - Austin Alton on stepping into a leadership role 02:19 - Coach Bollweg on the pride of watching leaders emerge 03:13 - Luke Dalen on his offseason quarterback development 04:13 - Lessons from last year's Columbia Falls collapse and Bigfork comeback 05:01 - Coach Bollweg on the team's health heading into game week 05:35 - Luke Dalen on how far ahead the offense is this year 06:21 - Austin Alton on the defense's improved communication 07:02 - Coach Bollweg on his seniors' leadership and what's ahead Northwest Montana deserves strong news reporting. Your donation helps continue work like this possible. Learn more at dailyinterlake.com/support Thanks to Corwin Motors for sponsoring the Keeping Score podcast! They’re proud to be family-driven for over 100 years. Corwin’s commitment goes beyond selling cars; they’re dedicated to serving our community and providing you with the highest quality vehicles to fit your lifestyle. Whether you’re searching for reliability, style, or comfort, they’ve got you covered. If you’re in the market for a new Chevrolet or just want to learn more, visit http://corwinmotorskalispell.com.    For full coverage and the latest sports updates, visit the Daily Inter Lake at: https://dailyinterlake.com/news/sports/. Support local journalism and subscribe to us!  Watch this podcast and more on our YouTube Channel. Find us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Got a news tip, want to place an ad, or sponsor this podcast? Contact us!

    Whitefish Bulldogs Erase Biggest Question Mark: Inside Fall Camp with Coach Bollweg & Senior Leaders
  4. Sep 1

    Trey Ramey Runs for 104 Yards in Glacier’s OT Battle With Billings West | Poster Player of the Week

    It was a defensive battle from start to finish, and Glacier running back Trey Ramey was one of the Wolfpack’s biggest offensive weapons. Ramey powered through 26 carries for 104 yards in Glacier’s 6-3 overtime loss to Billings West at Legends Stadium, earning him Poster Player of the Week honors. Glacier led 3-0 heading into the fourth quarter before Billings West tied the game with a field goal and eventually won it with another field goal in overtime. The Wolfpack's defense held West without a touchdown, while Ramey accounted for more than 100 yards of offense in a gritty performance against one of Class AA’s top teams.  Read Jon Allen's coverage of the game on dailyinterlake.com. Northwest Montana deserves strong news reporting. Your donation helps continue work like this possible. Learn more at dailyinterlake.com/support Thanks to Corwin Motors for sponsoring the Keeping Score podcast! They’re proud to be family-driven for over 100 years. Corwin’s commitment goes beyond selling cars; they’re dedicated to serving our community and providing you with the highest quality vehicles to fit your lifestyle. Whether you’re searching for reliability, style, or comfort, they’ve got you covered. If you’re in the market for a new Chevrolet or just want to learn more, visit http://corwinmotorskalispell.com.    For full coverage and the latest sports updates, visit the Daily Inter Lake at: https://dailyinterlake.com/news/sports/. Support local journalism and subscribe to us!  Watch this podcast and more on our YouTube Channel. Find us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Got a news tip, want to place an ad, or sponsor this podcast? Contact us!

    Trey Ramey Runs for 104 Yards in Glacier’s OT Battle With Billings West | Poster Player of the Week
  5. Aug 31

    Flathead's Brotherhood and Transfer QB: Inside Fall Camp with Coach Mac Roche, Hudson Casper and Oliver Rosenberg

    The Flathead Braves head into year two under head coach Mac Roche with a full offseason behind them, a scrimmage against Great Falls in the books and a quarterback change at the center of it all. Keeping Score host Luke Schmit sits down with Roche, senior lineman Hudson Casper and returning all-conference standout Oliver Rosenberg to break down what's different about this team compared to last fall. Roche explains why a full year with this group has the Braves further along than they were at this point last season, introduces transfer quarterback Bear Barker, and talks about the basketball and baseball players who've made the jump to the football field this fall. Rosenberg and Casper open up about the tight bond built through a full offseason of work, the standard they're trying to set for underclassmen, and why brotherhood is what keeps them coming back to the game. 00:00 - Intro  00:16 - Coach Roche previews the season 00:45 - Breaking down the Great Falls scrimmage 01:15 - Coach Roche on year two and a full offseason with the team 02:01 - Oliver on the tightest bond he's been part of 02:25 - Hudson on the standard he's setting for underclassmen 02:50 - The quarterback change: introducing transfer Bear Barker 03:41 - Basketball and baseball players joining the football team 04:24 - Integrating players who joined the program later 05:22 - What Coach Roche wants to see improved this season 05:54 - Why they love football: the brotherhood 06:44 - Season outlook Northwest Montana deserves strong news reporting. Your donation helps continue work like this possible. Learn more at dailyinterlake.com/support Thanks to Corwin Motors for sponsoring the Keeping Score podcast! They’re proud to be family-driven for over 100 years. Corwin’s commitment goes beyond selling cars; they’re dedicated to serving our community and providing you with the highest quality vehicles to fit your lifestyle. Whether you’re searching for reliability, style, or comfort, they’ve got you covered. If you’re in the market for a new Chevrolet or just want to learn more, visit http://corwinmotorskalispell.com.    For full coverage and the latest sports updates, visit the Daily Inter Lake at: https://dailyinterlake.com/news/sports/. Support local journalism and subscribe to us!  Watch this podcast and more on our YouTube Channel. Find us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Got a news tip, want to place an ad, or sponsor this podcast? Contact us!

    Flathead's Brotherhood and Transfer QB: Inside Fall Camp with Coach Mac Roche, Hudson Casper and Oliver Rosenberg
  6. Aug 27

    Glacier Wolfpack Chase a Repeat: Inside Fall Camp with Coach Grady Bennett, Cooper Pelc and Dylan Banzet

    The Glacier Wolfpack enter fall camp with a state championship already in hand and a fourth straight title game appearance in sight. Keeping Score host Luke Schmit sits down with head coach Grady Bennett and senior leaders Cooper Pelc and Dylan Banzet to talk about what it takes to defend a title, how the quarterback room is shaking up after Jackson Presley's departure, and why character - not the scoreboard - is the standard this program is built on. Bennett breaks down the challenge of replacing a four-year starter, the competition between his current quarterbacks, and the markers he looks for early in camp to gauge what kind of team he has. Pelc, a University of Montana commit, talks about staying locked into the present instead of what's next, while Banzet shares the team's singular focus heading into the season. Both seniors open up about the mentors who shaped how they lead - and what it's really like playing for a coach who cares more about building men than winning football games. Chapters 00:00 - Intro 00:18 - Coach Bennett on defending the title and the target on their back 01:24 - Cooper Pelc on chasing a fourth straight title game 02:12 - Dylan Banzet on the standard heading into the season 02:28 - Cooper on stepping into a vocal leadership role 02:49 - Coach Bennett on watching his seniors grow up 03:30 - The quarterback battle after Jackson Presley 04:18 - Building chemistry with a first-year starter 04:55 - What Coach Bennett is seeing from this year's team 06:07 - Cooper on his Montana commitment and staying present 06:32 - Dylan on the team's one goal 06:52 - The mentor who shaped how they lead 07:42 - Fall camp intensity and early confidence 08:55 - What it's like playing for Coach Bennett Northwest Montana deserves strong news reporting. Your donation helps continue work like this possible. Learn more at dailyinterlake.com/support Thanks to Corwin Motors for sponsoring the Keeping Score podcast! They’re proud to be family-driven for over 100 years. Corwin’s commitment goes beyond selling cars; they’re dedicated to serving our community and providing you with the highest quality vehicles to fit your lifestyle. Whether you’re searching for reliability, style, or comfort, they’ve got you covered. If you’re in the market for a new Chevrolet or just want to learn more, visit http://corwinmotorskalispell.com.    For full coverage and the latest sports updates, visit the Daily Inter Lake at: https://dailyinterlake.com/news/sports/. Support local journalism and subscribe to us!  Watch this podcast and more on our YouTube Channel. Find us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Got a news tip, want to place an ad, or sponsor this podcast? Contact us!

    Glacier Wolfpack Chase a Repeat: Inside Fall Camp with Coach Grady Bennett, Cooper Pelc and Dylan Banzet
  7. Aug 24

    Glacier’s Torrin Murray Fires 6-Under 64 in Crosstown Cup

    Torrin Murray put together a round to remember in the Crosstown Cup. This week’s Keeping Score: Poster Player of the Week goes to the Glacier golfer after he fired an unofficial 6-under-par 64 over 18 holes at Village Greens against Flathead. Murray also teamed up with Elliot Anderson to win their best-ball matchup, helping Glacier take seven of 10 matches and keep the Crosstown Cup on the north side of Kalispell. It was a statement start to the season for Murray and the Wolfpack, and a performance that helped Glacier come out on top in one of the Flathead Valley’s biggest high school sports rivalries. Northwest Montana deserves strong news reporting. Your donation helps continue work like this possible. Learn more at dailyinterlake.com/support Thanks to Corwin Motors for sponsoring the Keeping Score podcast! They’re proud to be family-driven for over 100 years. Corwin’s commitment goes beyond selling cars; they’re dedicated to serving our community and providing you with the highest quality vehicles to fit your lifestyle. Whether you’re searching for reliability, style, or comfort, they’ve got you covered. If you’re in the market for a new Chevrolet or just want to learn more, visit http://corwinmotorskalispell.com.    For full coverage and the latest sports updates, visit the Daily Inter Lake at: https://dailyinterlake.com/news/sports/. Support local journalism and subscribe to us!  Watch this podcast and more on our YouTube Channel. Find us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Got a news tip, want to place an ad, or sponsor this podcast? Contact us!

    Glacier’s Torrin Murray Fires 6-Under 64 in Crosstown Cup

Ratings & Reviews

4
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

A front-row seat to Northwest Montana high school sports, Daily Inter Lake's Keeping Score podcast keeps you up to date on Northwest Montana’s players and coaches who make it happen. Batter up for our exclusive interviews, Poster Player of the Week, and game recaps. Explore more from the Daily Inter Lake’s podcast network! Get the latest news on the Big Sky Conference from our Big Sky Now podcast, with teams based in Montana, Washington, and Idaho. News Now covers major stories making headlines in Montana, events to check out, and breaking news for the Flathead Valley and beyond. Deep Dive brings you in-depth stories from across our area. And Side Tracks shares the stories behind Northwest Montana's local music, food, and arts culture.  

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