Glacier to Host Bozeman in Playoff Quarterfinal

Eighth-ranked Glacier faces Bozeman Friday at Legends Stadium after using its first-round bye for rest and recovery.

Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Football

Glacier to Host Bozeman in Playoff Quarterfinal

Glacier, 8-1 on the season, hosts Bozeman, 6-4, in a high school football playoff quarterfinal Friday at Legends Stadium with kickoff at 6 p.m. Glacier won the teams' Week 2 meeting 42-0 at Van Winkle Stadium, while Bozeman enters after a 42-24 opening-round win over Butte.

Why it matters

The quarterfinal pits a team with a dominant earlier result against an opponent riding a two-game winning streak into the postseason. For Montana playoff fans, the matchup offers a chance to see whether Bozeman's offense can close the gap left by the earlier meeting.

Bozeman quarterback Van Shockley has thrown for 1,256 yards and eight touchdowns while rushing for 815 yards and 13 scores this season. Beau Wheeler averages 107.6 rushing yards per game with 14 touchdowns, and Glacier's Carter Knopik has 4.5 sacks and seven QB hurries.

The players

Carter Knopik

Glacier defensive lineman who has recorded 4.5 sacks and seven QB hurries this season and received a scholarship offer from the University of Montana.

Van Shockley

Bozeman quarterback who has thrown eight touchdowns and rushed for 13 scores this season, leading the team's offense.

Beau Wheeler

Bozeman running back averaging 107.6 rushing yards per game with 14 touchdowns this season.

The details

Glacier used its bye week for rest, health, and skill improvement rather than game planning. Passes are not accepted at the gate once the playoffs begin, so fans should plan accordingly for Friday's kickoff.

Thursday: Carter Knopik received a University of Montana scholarship offer.
Friday, 6 p.m.: Glacier vs. Bozeman playoff quarterfinal at Legends Stadium.

Season Trajectory

Glacier's fourth consecutive first-round bye sets up a quarterfinal in which its earlier 42-0 win over Bozeman is the central data point for both teams. Bozeman's two-game winning streak and 42-24 opening-round win show a team that has improved since early in the season.

The quarterfinal winner advances in the Montana high school playoff bracket, and Glacier's defense will be tested by Bozeman's dual-threat quarterback. Fantasy and recruiting observers should note Carter Knopik's sack total and the Montana scholarship offer for his 2025 evaluation.

The takeaway

Bozeman's offense has found momentum after an early-season loss to Glacier, making the quarterfinal a useful test of how much the team has improved. Fans should watch whether Dylan Banzet's health affects Bozeman's depth on Friday.