With a fresh start to the season, the 2021 Hellgate Knights Football Team is looking promising after a rough few years. With junior quarterback Connor Dick leading the way, the Knights started the season going 1-1 with a loss to CMR and a win against Belgrade. Receivers Ian Finch, Leo Filardi, Sam Swain and Asher Topp, and a built offensive line, led by Tommy Nilson and Layne Cooney and running back Jake Sweatland, give the Knights high hopes coming into the season. A close game against CMR with the ending score of 37-35 and a blowout win against Belgrade with an ending score of 42-20 start a good season for the Knights.

     In a season filled with COVID, the Knights had to cancel their game against Sentinel due to four people testing positive for the virus. The Knights faced Helena High in the homecoming game at the Washington Grizzly Stadium to contest their 2-1 record. Helena High had a scoring average of 23.3 coming into the game against the Knights, with a 38.5 scoring average. The Knights take a tough loss Against Helena Friday night with a 6-63 score at the end of the game. Junior quarterback Connor Dick had a total of 90 rushing yards and 298 passing yards with 388 total yards on offense going into the game against Helena High. Hellgate is ranked #56 in the state of Montana while Helena High is ranked #23 with their 2-1 record. Senior running back and linebacker Jake Sweatland leads the Knights in tackles for the start of the season averaging 9.5 tackles a game going into the third game of the season for the Knights. The Knights student section was packed with students in the Washington Grizzly Stadium for the homecoming game. With the loss to Helena High, the Knights take on the Flathead Braves at the MCPS Stadium at 7pm on Thursday night. With a different outlook on the next game, the Knights look to have a great game at their home stadium in Missoula.